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The Ultimate Night Routine Guide: Sleep Better and Wake Up Productive
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.
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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.
Before You Head Home…
- 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.
Immediately After Work…
- 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.
One Hour Before Bed…
- 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.
Right Before Going to Sleep…
- 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.
Have a Clear Plan
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.
Create Reminders and Alarms
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.
Start Small
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.
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- Choose a place that you know really well.
- Plan the route and pick specific locations in your route.
- Decide what you want to memorize
- Place an object or two, with a mental image, and place them in your memory palace. Exaggerate your images. For example, use nudity or crazy images forcing it to stick in your mind.
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Practice Good Sleep Hygiene
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- Avoid caffeine, alcohol, or other drugs for several hours before bed
- Set a regular bedtime
- Drink some warm milk or herbal tea, or have a light snack
- Try a screen-free activity like meditation or reading
- Eliminate as much noise from your bedroom as possible
- Keep your bedroom dark
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To Sleep Or Not To Sleep
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Do Something After You Eat
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Avoid Napping
Napping can make it more difficult to fall asleep at night:
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The Science of Sleep
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Purpose of Sleep:
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- Metabolic Health
Restoration
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Make "power down" time a priority
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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.
Eat, drink and move mindfully
If you’re experiencing sleeping problems:
- Cut back on caffeine (particularly after midday).
- Avoid eating a particularly heavy meal late in the evening.
- Meditation and supplements can also affect sleep so it’s best to get educated about what you’re taking.
- Intense exercise late at night isn't recommended.
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Prep your day the evening before
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- Decide on and lay out your clothes for the following day the evening before and gather all other pieces of stuff you need (supplies, equipment).
- Make your breakfast and lunch the night before and have it ready to grab in the fridge.
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