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A healthy night routine is equally important to a healthy morning routine. If you always wake up tired, groggy, and with no energy, what you did the night before has probably something to do with it.
Your nighttime habits can significantly impact how your mornings will turn out, so it’s important to practice healthy night habits. When you are able to properly rest, relax, and recharge at night, you are setting yourself up for a more energized and productive tomorrow. “Nighttime You can give morning You a gift,” says Ryan Howes, a clinical psychologist. “For example, if you go to bed earlier, Morning You is going to be much happier.”
In this blog post, let’s go through the best nighttime habits you can do to cultivate a healthy bedtime routine. Not only will these help you be at your best for the next day but they also support your mental and physical health.
Best Nighttime Habits That Set The Tone For The Next Day
Establishing a good nighttime and bedtime routine takes time and commitment. However, once you find the habits that work for you, they can dramatically improve your sleep quality, reduce stress, and boost your overall productivity, resulting in a fresher, more energized YOU ready to tackle the next day.
Enjoy A Hearty Dinner
First things first – eat a nutritious, well-balanced meal on time every night. While pizza and take-out are convenient options, make it a habit to eat a healthy dinner as much as possible. It will provide you the energy and necessary nutrients your body needs to recover and rejuvenate during sleep.
Additionally, a nutrient-rich dinner supports muscle repair, immune function, and overall health while you rest. As a result, you’ll wake up feeling more refreshed and energized, and you can expect a productive day ahead.
Tackle Those Chores
Chores aren’t probably the first thing that comes to mind when you think of nighttime relaxation. However, the thing with chores is that the more you put them off, the more they pile up. Spending just 10 to 20 minutes a night to tidy up, whether it’s washing the dishes, doing some light cleaning, or folding and putting away freshly-laundered clothes, can do so much for your peace of mind.
Not only does it get rid of physical clutter, but it’s also a great way to reduce mental clutter, allowing you to fully relax for the rest of the night. And the good news is, if you tackle chores as part of your nighttime routine, they won’t feel like chores in no time.
Exercise
Exercise is another thing that many of us don’t associate with relaxation, especially after a long day at work. Besides, it’s so tempting to just plop down on the couch immediately after dinner! Don’t worry, we’re not talking about a rigorous workout session – just a short walk around the block or a quick yoga session will suffice.
Physical activity releases endorphins, which help clear your mind, boost your mood, and help relax both your body and mind, preparing you for a restful night’s sleep.
Do Something You Love
Now that the “hard parts” are done, you can finally start relaxing! Begin by doing something you love, even if it’s just 15 minutes. This could mean cuddling with your partner, spending time with your kids, playing with your pets, doing a quick artwork, or enjoying your favorite cup of warm tea.
No matter how busy you get, it’s essential to allot some time each day for yourself. Doing something that makes you happy can help reduce stress and set yourself up for a more optimistic, peaceful morning.
Enjoy A Warm Bath
Before you head to bed, enjoy a warm bath to help relax your muscles and calm your mind. The warmth of the water soothes tension from your body and signals to your body that it’s time to wind down. Follow it up with a good skincare routine to nourish your skin and promote further relaxation.
Reflect On Your Daily Achievements
While you’re in the bath or doing your skincare, one thing you can do is to reflect on your achievements of the day. Taking even just a few moments at the end of each day to celebrate your wins, big or small, will help you end the day on a positive note. It will also give you encouragement for the coming day.
Leo Babauta, author of Zen Habits, says “If you reflect on the things you did right, on your successes, that allows you to celebrate every little success. It allows you to realize how much you’ve done right, the good things you’ve done in your life.”
Clear Your Head
When you’re fresh and ready for bed, it might be tempting to hop into bed and scroll through your phone until you fall asleep. However, you don’t want to fill your head with clutter and unwanted stimulation right before you sleep. Instead, clear your head by doing activities like light reading, journaling, meditating, watching a feel-good show, or playing tetris (or a similar game).
Try not to do some work at home as much as possible. If you’re feeling stressed, use this time to set priorities and make task lists instead, so you’ll feel more focused and productive come tomorrow.
Go To Bed At The Same Time
When it comes to sleep, quality is better than quantity. The habits above are essential for you to get a good quality, restful sleep. Try to go to bed at the same time every night, even on the weekends, and follow the same routine just before getting into bed.
This may be difficult at first, but if you commit to going to bed at the same hour, you’ll find it easier to fall and stay asleep. Turn off the lights, keep your phone away, and
relax in a calming environment that encourages deep rest. Establishing this routine helps regulate your internal clock, making it easier to wake up refreshed and energized the next morning.
In A Nutshell
Cultivating a healthy night routine begins with getting used to good nighttime habits. Once you have your evening routine set, you’re guaranteed to wake up the next morning refreshed and recharged, and you can expect a happy, productive day ahead.