It’s not something we think about, but we really should. Too often we are so focused on saving time, doing everything as quickly as possible, and trying fitting as much as we can into each day. The last thing on our minds is a proper bedtime routine. Bedtime routines should be slow, relaxed, and go against the feeling that we need to cram as much into each minute as we can. A proper bedtime routine does so many things for us. It relaxes us, it primes our body for quality rest, but it gives us the opportunity to take stock of our day. Many people just decide to sit down with some television or Netflix, but is that really good for getting your body primed for quality rest? Here’s how to implement a proper bedtime routine into your life.
Make Time
A proper bedtime routine begins before you get into bed. You should think about having your last meal roughly 90 minutes before you get into bed, so that it doesn’t weigh heavily on you, disrupting your sleep. Some people use their downtime to think about their day and to process what has happened, and you can do this while laying your clothes out for the next day, or by jotting down thoughts in a journal. Some people take a supplement from somewhere like Gold Bee to help them clear their minds and settle down. Often we can’t get off to sleep because we have so many things to do that run through our mind on repeat, which is where a brain dump comes in handy. I know I am that way! It can be so difficult to turn my brain off and relax.
Indulge
If you have a lifestyle that is non-stop like I do, you may find little opportunity to do the things you really want. Use this time before sleep as an opportunity to be all about you. Whether you don’t have the opportunity to implement a beauty regime normally, take advantage of using a nighttime moisturizer, putting on a face mask, having a foot soak, or doing your nails, these are all things that will make you look good. You can destress in as little as 15 minutes a day! When we look good, we feel good. Having an opportunity to indulge in the little things that make you happy, especially after a strenuous day, will help prime your brain and body to relax.
Make Your Environment Ready For Sleep
Of course, having a relaxing routine before bedtime means nothing if the sleeping environment is not conducive to relaxation. Look at your bedroom. Is it organized or messy? The bedroom should be for sleeping only. And while you might think that it’s not harmful to get your phone out and chill in bed checking social media, in fact, the blue light from the phone is going to interrupt your sleep hormone, melatonin. This means phones and any electronic devices are banned from the bedroom! Install some blackout curtains, get high quality sheets, feather pillows, and a down comforter and use
your bedroom as a sanctuary for sleep.
Taking an opportunity to wind down before bedtime is something we don’t do often enough and this can increase the amount of time it takes you to fall asleep and decrease the quality of sleep. So if you find yourself struggling to sleep at night, ask yourself, do you have a proper bedtime routine? Think about indulging in you and investing in your sleep. We all know it’s good for us, so why do we try and avoid it?
Check out this video I found about establishing a night routine too!
