You may think that bedtime or nightly routines are just for kids, but they aren’t. One of my goals for the year was to establish a better nightly routine that works for me. We talked about this in last week’s episode of our podcast SHEnanigans. I believe that it’s pretty essential to your mental hygiene as well.
Here are a few other benefits of a bedtime routine:
Help You Relax
After a long day, you need to relax, reflect and decompress and it’s hard to do that with a lot of distractions.
Eliminate or reduce sleep problems
For people like me who struggle with insomnia and difficulty getting up – especially as students, entrepreneurs, establishing a bedtime routine can help with this. It helps tell your body it’s time for rest and bed.
Establish consistency
After multiple nights of routine, it ultimately tells your body it’s time to go to sleep as I mentioned. It also helps you create consistency in life and stay on top of your game depending on what you include in yours.
You’re probably wondering, well what can I include in this routine that will do all of this? Well, it’s completely up to you, your needs and family structure. Those things will definitely guide what your routine will be.
Here are some ideas of what you could include in your routine:
- Turn off your electronic devices an hour to two hours before bed
- Practice relaxing exercises such as meditation, yoga and mindful breathing
- Journal using a prayer, goal or personal journal to have a daily brain dump or check in with yourself and goals
- Prepare for the next day by meal prepping and having your clothes picked out
- Complete your skin care regimen and include some moisturizers with chamomile
- Light candles or use an oil diffuser
- Go to bed early, at least by 15 min. This extra time will help you shut down your mind and fall asleep.
Do you have a bedtime routine? If so, what does it included? If not, what are some things you’re thinking about implementing?
I don’t have a bedtime routine but I was just thinking about starting one, so this came right on time. Thanks for the tips!
I somewhat have a bedtime rountine, I mostly consider it my self love rountine! I make sure I read some of my favorite books, I do some “homemade” yoga and I meditate!
After reading this though, I definetly want to add a couple of more things to my list. Thanks so much for sharing this!
kesiaspoetry.com
I’m so horrible when it comes to having a set night time routine. All I want to do is take my makeup off and head straight to bed *sigh* but I do think I’ll start journaling more at night or at least read a book. I’m always on my phone so I think that would be good for me.
I need to put the cell phone away at least an hour before bedtime. I know that would make a big difference in my sleep.