Bedtime is something we all know is incredibly important. But the fact is that one of the biggest oversights we all have in getting ready for slumber is actually in the preparation. Night-time routines are so important because they train your brain and your body ready for sleep. So, with this in mind, what does it really take to prepare yourself to sleep in the right ways? Let’s show you some tips to have the most effective nighttime routines.
Table of Contents
Set Your Bedtime and Wake-Up Time
As part of your sleep-wake cycle, your brain will start to wind down to sleep for a few hours prior to bedtime, and when you start to set both wake-up and sleep times and stick to them every day you are going to train your brain to feel tired when it’s bedtime.
Have a Relaxing Pre-Bed Session
So many of us feel that we need to go to sleep instantly so we just have to keep going until we stop. The best thing you can do is to have a winding-down routine. Whatever that is for you depends on your specific needs. Some people like to use CBG drops or CBD drops in a cup of soothing herbal tea, but others like to just have some peace and quiet. It all depends on what your day has been like, but also what it really takes for you to unwind. Lots of people like having warm baths, but also like to participate in some form of journaling as a way to purge their brains of their thoughts.
Stretching
One of the most important things we can all do to unwind our brain is to unwind our body. If you are someone who is constantly tense, you can use a number of techniques to ensure that you do unwind, like progressive muscle relaxation. But you must get into the habit of stretching too. It’s something that we all should do because if we end up sleeping in awkward positions we’re going to feel worse the next day. When it comes to stretching, ensure that you are stretching to the point of discomfort and keeping the hold there for 30 seconds.
Escaping Your Reality
Many people use bedtime as a way to talk with a partner about the stresses of the day. The problem in doing this is that you are not relaxing into something that is going to be conducive to good sleep. You need to escape from the realities of the day, especially if they are stressful. Lots of people like to read a good book, and some people like to watch movies, but it’s all personal preference. They say that you shouldn’t be doing anything too stimulating, so you should stay away from certain types of movies and books, but if it does relax you more than what you would normally feel, why don’t you do it? Because if you are spending the evening talking with your partner and you are both trying to get to sleep but it doesn’t happen, good quality relaxation makes a big difference.
This is a collaborative post
Going to try this
I’m definitely not one to fall asleep until I wind down. We always watch a Netflix drama or film before bedtime and then I have to have a shower before I can sleep. My husband however can just fall asleep instantly, sometimes before we even watch anything
I must admit I drive my husband mad, we can start watching something and I am wide awake, 10 minutes later I am asleep
Great tips, I actually do not have trouble falling asleep, staying asleep is my problem, hence the reason I am up at 4am most days!! I think I need to change my routine.
I am the same would love to sleep all night
Do have a routine that doesn’t include stretches ! I’ll add these too
I have just started stretches, when I remember to do them
I had never though of stretching before going to bed, but will give it a try as I suffer from painful joints
I will try anything that helps take away the aches and pains
these are very important, i find being as active as possible in the day is helpful too
Being active is helpful, I find the more I do the easier it is at night
Going to try this. We spend so long making sure our children have good nighttime routines and sleep well but are often guilty if not following those practices ourselves. Thanks for the reminder!
This is very true, we do make sure our kids have a good nightime routine, and then totally forget about ourselves