deepstash
Beta
A Bedtime Routine For Adults: 10 Calming Activities
Prayer, yoga, meditation
If you find that engaging in spiritual activity brings you peace and clarity of mind, then doing it before getting into bed is an ideal time.
115 SAVES
SIMILAR ARTICLES & IDEAS:
6
Key Ideas
The brain is preparing for sleep about two hours before our actual bedtime. That waking system has to slowly come down to allow the sleep system to take over.
Set an alarm an hour to two prior to your expected bedtime to remind you to wind down from the day. Do something you truly enjoy and find relaxing.
Even just a few seconds of exposure from a blue light-emitting device an hour before bed can disrupt the melatonin rhythm, a rhythm that is so critical to helping us fall asleep, stay asleep and wake up feeling refreshed.
In our perpetually dieting world, it’s not uncommon to lie in bed hungry, but not wanting to eat in an effort to save calories. However, hunger is stimulating and fragments sleep.
Eating a light carbohydrate or protein snack prior to bedtime will stave off hunger without causing you to crash and awaken later in the night.
9
Key Ideas
Is a naturally occurring hormone controlled by light exposure that helps regulate your sleep-wake cycle.
Your brain secretes more melatonin when it’s dark, making you sleepy, and less when it’s light, making you more alert.
However, many aspects of modern life can alter your body’s production of melatonin and shift your circadian rhythm
During the day:
At night:
5
Key Ideas
Shut down those activities that stimulate your mind, such as work, emails, internet browsing and even watching TV.
Try reading a book, taking a bath, listening to music or practicing some gentle yoga or meditation. Develop rituals that work for you.
Dump it all out. Write some lists, or simply use the "worry diary" technique and jot down all of the things you’re stressing about.
Do this before your "power down" time. This helps your mind let these things go. Once they're written down, you can relax; there's no chance you'll forget them.
If you’re experiencing sleeping problems: