Author: Leon Ho / Source: Lifehack
I’m sure you’ve come across ‘morning routines’ being talked about as something very important if you want to be healthy and successful. However, I’m guessing you haven’t heard of ‘night routines’ being talked about so much.
Night routines are not popular, as sticking to a healthy routine isn’t easy, especially at night after a whole day of work.
Let’s be honest, all we’d really like to do after work is relax. Routines? Not so much!I understand your feelings about this issue as I used to think this way too. But after reading this article, I’m confident you’ll change your mind – as you’ll learn about the fantastic benefits of a night routine (e.g. no more sleep issues, a smoother morning and a more energetic day).
I’m going to provide you with some great tips (and some exact steps) to make the perfect night routine.
Why a night routine matters?
A night routine is the things you do immediately prior to going to bed. For example, it may be your habit to have a hot drink before going to bed, or perhaps you like to read a book in bed before going to sleep.
Of course, you might have no specific night time routine whatsoever and just take each evening and night as it comes. While it might seem that having a flexible and easygoing night routine is the best thing, I would caution you, and ask you to think about the following:
Your nighttime routine is as important as your morning routine.
By creating a routine for the morning, you don’t have to put much effort into thinking about what you need to do to get ready before leaving your home for work. Clearly, having a morning routine is beneficial. And guess what? Having a night routine is beneficial too.
Here are some three benefits of having a decent night routine:1
- 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.
So, what are the ideal components of a night routine? I’ll reveal these now.
The ultimate night routine (with exact steps to follow)
1. Get rid of caffeine after 4:00pm
Your night routine begins well before your head hits the pillow. If you work a 9 to 5, you need to think about how everything you do after 4:00pm affects your sleep.
For example caffeine stays in your system for up to six hours. If you’re accustomed to having a cup of tea in the evening, make sure it’s an herbal, caffeine free tea. Otherwise, you might be jittery until 10:00pm or later.
2. Stay hydrated
Dehydration can make you feel sluggish and tired when you want to be awake. You can’t go wrong with having some good old-fashioned H2O throughout the evening.2
3. Decide when the work day ends
To have a solid night routine, you must decide when you’re leaving work. It’s easy to lose track of time and stay too late. Establish a cut off time for work-related emails and phone calls as well.
If you don’t set boundaries, it’s hard to enjoy life and get a good night of sleep.
4. Avoid alcohol
If you’re heading out with friends, be mindful of your alcohol intake. Alcohol may make you drowsy, but the sleep you get won’t be restful. Skip the booze altogether, or stop consuming it at least two hours before bed.3
5. Have a healthy dinner
Aim to have your dinner a few hours before you go to bed. Overeating or having heavy or rich meals around bedtime may lead to discomfort and indigestion. When you need a snack closer to bedtime, reach for something light and healthy.
The time immediately after dinner is a great opportunity to pack lunch for the next day. Pull items from the freezer and package leftovers from dinner into individual servings.
6. Take time to tidy
Being in an organized environment will help you feel relaxed and in control. Cleaning dishes and counter tops after dinner is an absolute must.
You can also take some time to put things away if you’ve used them during the day.4 Be mindful of clutter in your bedroom. Waking up in an orderly space will work wonders for your mood.
7. Prepare for tomorrow
Get out tomorrow’s outfit and gym clothes as you tidy. Clear unnecessary items out of your bag and set out everything you need to take with you. Taking these steps means you’re less likely to derail your day by forgetting something, and you’ll prevent decision fatigue from setting in early tomorrow.
When you don’t have a million things to do upon waking, it’s…
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