Why a Night Routine Matters

A night routine is the things you do immediately prior to going to bed.

Three benefits of having a decent night routine:

• You’ll have a more restful and higher-quality sleep.
• You’ll be able to tackle the morning in a smoother and more productive way.
• Your brain will be sharper throughout the next day.

• Get rid of caffeine after 4:00 pm. Caffeine stays in your system for up to six hours.

• Stay hydrated. Dehydration can make you feel sluggish and tired when you want to be awake.

• Decide when the workday ends. Establish a cut off time for work-related emails and phone calls as well.

• Avoid alcohol. Alcohol may make you drowsy, but the sleep you get won’t be restful. Stop consuming it at least two hours before bed.

• Have a healthy dinner. 

  When you need a snack closer to bedtime, reach for something light and healthy.

• Take time to tidy. Waking up in an orderly space will work wonders for your mood.

• Prepare for tomorrow. 

  When you don’t have a million things to do upon waking, it’s easier to fall asleep.
• Take time for yourself. Perhaps you watch an episode of your favorite show or play video games.

• Step away from the screens. The blue light from electronics interferes with the production of melatonin, a hormone necessary for restful sleep.
• Read a book. Six minutes of reading can ease the tension of stress in the human body and calm your nerves.
• Reflect on your day. Consider what worked and didn’t work today. Write lingering thoughts or reflections in your journal.
• Plot out tomorrow’s schedule. Write top priorities for tomorrow in a planner or notebook.
• Give some gratitude. Write down at least one thing you’re thankful for each day.

• Take care of hygiene rituals. Besides brushing your teeth and washing your face, take a warm bath, or hot shower, before bed.
• Practice bedtime yoga. Bedtime yoga activates your parasympathetic nervous system, which triggers relaxation.
• Go to sleep at the same time every night.

Think about what you want to include in your night routine, and then write it down. Make it as clear and simple as possible, so you’ll have the best chance of following it. 

Once you’ve followed your night routine long enough, you’ll no longer need to refer to your plan – as it will have become a habit.

When you first start to implement your night routine, it would be foolish to rely 100% on your mind and willpower. Instead, use digital alarms to remind you of things like when to go to bed.

After a month or so, you probably won’t need the alarms, as your night routine will have become a positive habit.

Choose smaller, easier to complete goals that will give you a sense of achievement.

It maybe easier for you to implement your desired changes over a few days or weeks. For example, the first change to your night routine could be started straight away – by having a glass of water just before you go to bed. Other changes you could phase into your routine.

However, try to make sure your night routine is fully in place within 30 days.