Starting a Night Time Routine

Do you have a night time routine?

We talk about the importance of a having a morning routine but rarely do we hear about a night time one. However, this is just as important, especially as you go into your 40s and beyond. As your hormones change and you enter perimenopause, getting into good habits now will help you in the future. 

Getting into a regular routine in the evenings will benefit you in several ways. You will sleep better, find it easier to maintain a regular morning routine, and be more productive with more energy during the day.

It makes sense that a smooth and regular night time routine will make for an efficient morning routine as naturally one leads into the other. If you are struggling to get up in the morning or feeling tired and unproductive during the day, it might be worth looking at what you are doing and how you are spending your time the night before.

I have to be honest; I have struggled with creating a night time routine, so writing this blog is as much for me as it is for you. Mornings and evenings are when I do my studies and I often find myself working until midnight. 

Having a successful day often starts the night before. Read on to discover some useful tips for starting a healthy night time routine, preparing for the next day and winding down so you can relax and sleep. 

Evening habits which will make you more productive

Avoid Randomness

A routine is exactly that, so you don’t want to be doing different things every night. You want to avoid excitement or stress that may prevent you from getting a good night’s rest.

Put computers and phones away

We all know this, but so many of us avoid it. In order to relax and prepare for a good night’s sleep, switch off all technology and screens two hours before bed. The light from the screens and the content you are consuming will stimulate your brain and make it harder to sleep

Plan the next day

Having a plan will make you more productive, plus planning the night before will free up the time you would have used in the morning, trying to remember everything needed to be done for the day. Check your diary and write your to-do list. That way, the thoughts won’t be in your head all night.

Set things out for the morning

Pick out tomorrow’s attire in the evening and keep your belongings in one convenient place. It’s one less thing to think about in the morning, especially if you are leaving the house early.

Do What You Love

Doing things you love allows your brain to relax. Try to spend the evening in activities such as reading a book, drawing, or another relaxing task you enjoy. Whatever you choose, ensure it does not include screens or stimulate your brain too much – you want to be focussing on relaxing activities.

Have some family time

Switch off from work. Avoid checking your emails in the evenings and create a space in your routine for quality time with your loved ones.

Read your goals 

Keep a list of your goals and dream life next to your bed to read each night. As you fall asleep, you will fantasise about reaching those goals and living that life, which all helps move you towards it. 

Eliminate negative thoughts

Negative thoughts and emotions affect every part of our body. Leave whatever happened in the day behind. Journaling in the evening can help. Getting everything on the page gets it out of your head and as you write, you may find you discover solutions or more empowering ways of thinking.  Meditation and gentle yoga in the evening can also help calm the mind.

Reflect on your day

What was good? Find something and someone from your day to be grateful for. It could help to write a gratitude list every evening.

Take an Epsom Salt bath

This is fantastic for your muscles and to help you relax, and Epsom salts are full of magnesium, which aids sleep.  

Visualisation

Try to imagine the perfect routine by clearly imagining how it should turn out.

Visualise your next day, from getting up and your morning routine, through to your day and your evening.

Benefits of creating routines

Now that we’ve discovered methods for creating the right routine, let’s look at even more benefits you gain by sticking with a routine!

Practice makes perfect and habits enable us to become more proficient and develop skills that are repeated regularly. If one of your goals is to draw like a seasoned artist, creating a routine to draw for 30 minutes a day will help you achieve it.

Following a routine reduces the need for determination and willpower. Think about how little willpower it takes to brush your teeth in the morning. For most of us, it’s an automatic habit. Imagine if going to the gym could be this simple!

Did you know adhering to a routine can help build self-confidence? This is crucial, as one of the main deterrents for people to change their lives for the better is because of a lack of confidence.

One of my favourite aspects of having a routine is saving money! If you know you’re going to need fresh fruits and veggies every morning to juice, you can purchase your produce in bulk.

The number one benefit of building a routine is stress reduction. Too much stress is harmful to health. When you have a routine that works, you can eliminate specific stressors from your life.

Now that you know the benefits, and have the tools, it’s time to get to work and start creating your night time routine.

I would love to hear about your successes, so let me know if you implement a night time routine. And if you need more support, I have several ways you can work with me so get in touch.