There's a lot of talk, studies, and articles about how to avoid the harmful effects of technology, how to manage stress, how to improve sleep, and other such life improvement areas. In this same vein, I want to talk about something I've been doing for about two weeks now that I think is beneficial to your well-being: a nighttime routine.
Before this, I never had a routine before bed. I was pretty much on the computer watching YouTube until I decided I should probably go to bed at a time that was later than it should be. First of all, blue light wakes your brain up, so this was not helping me fall asleep and I already have trouble going to sleep quickly. I read that it takes the average person three minutes to fall asleep, but if you're like me, it takes about thirty minutes. But what's wrong with not having a routine? Why should you have one?
I'll break down each component of my own routine and explain what it does and why it benefits you.
The first part of my routine is to exercise. You can find a ton of easy at-home workouts on Pinterest that don't take much time at all. Exercise releases endorphins, and I always feel really good when I break a sweat and breathe hard. Now, the first task in your routine doesn't have to be exercise, but it should be something that takes effort and gets you moving in order to release all the stress of the day.
The second part of my routine is to take a hot shower and then stretch. The shower relaxes your muscles and helps to further de-stress your body. I also put in some earbuds while I stretch. This part unwinds your mind and body and helps stop you from thinking about what you did today and what you have to do tomorrow.
The third part of my routine is to journal and/or read. This part is pure relaxation and relaxation is key for a good night's sleep and maintaining a healthy stress level. Like before, you don't have to do these exact things, but this last part should not be something you do on your phone or computer and it should be something that you really enjoy.
The fourth part of my routine is to turn off the lights, braid my hair, and then pray/talk to God. I'm usually pretty sleepy by this time and so relaxed and thankful for a comfortable bed.
Even just writing out this routine makes me see how good it is for me. A nighttime routine is a source of time management too, since you figure out how long you want to spend doing each thing, and then (for me) when 9pm comes, the electronic devices go away and it makes me go to bed when I need to. Stress can be a tough thing to control, and having a steady and secure routine can eliminate stress. Preparing yourself for rest, the time where your body heals both mentally and physically, is one of the most important things you can do. And in this electronic-driven
world, taking a set time to disconnect and focus on your body and mind keeps
you from becoming overwhelmed and losing sight of what truly matters in the
long run.
I hope you liked this post! It's a little different than what I normally do, but I have been enjoying my nighttime routine immensely, and I thought I'd share the benefits!
~Clarissa
