These days, we lead incredibly busy lives. Our to do lists can seem never-ending and we are bombarded with notifications and updates every where we turn. It’s so important that we carve out the time in our day to unplug and unwind before bed. Sleep issues can plague all of us from time to time, so developing wonderful sleep hygiene is one of the ways to keep your sleep regular and your body healthy.
Here are 5 ways you can kickstart your daily wind down routine:
Start prepping for bed one hour ahead of time. Give yourself the space you need to wind down. There will always be more to do, so it’s important to create a cut-off time when you put down the doing and start unwinding. If your bedtime is 10pm, start unwinding at 9pm. Dim the lights, read a book, do a crossword puzzle—whatever it takes for your mind to start slowing down and unwinding from the day.
Take a warm soak. One wonderful way to wind down from the day is in the bathtub. Draw a hot bath and add your favorite essential oils or some epsom salts. This will help your body soak up some magnesium, which helps it calm down and relax. Baths are a relaxing, cleansing ritual that will help you unplug from the day. As you drain the water from the tub, picture all your worries going down the drain with the water.
Watch out for caffeine. Pick a cut-off time to stop drinking caffeine during the day, preferably by noon. If you drink coffee or tea late in the day, there’s a higher chance that it will keep you awake and make it difficult for you to fall asleep. Be mindful of your caffeine intake and try to limit or stop drinking caffeinated beverages before the late afternoon.
Get ready for the day ahead. Put your clothes out, check your planner, and prep your morning juice or breakfast. By planning ahead, you eliminate stress the next morning and you put your mind at ease. By setting the tone for the next day, you’re letting yourself unplug while knowing that you’ve done your best to get ready for the day ahead.
Practice gratitude. The mindset you go to bed with is often the mindset you’ll wake up with. One wonderful way to be more thankful in life is to practice gratitude every night before you go to bed. Keep a notebook and pen by your bed and write down a list of things you are thankful for or anything that went well and made you feel good during the day. This will help you be thankful for the day you had and send you off to sleep in a more positive mindset.