Ah, the bliss that is sleep. A chance to switch off for the day, curl up under our covers and unwind. While sleep offers so many benefits, sometimes it can be hard to lull our body into a state of relaxation. One way to help is with a solid sleep routine, which can help switch your mind from daytime tasks to nighttime wind down.. With just a few simple tips, your body and mind will be taking you in the same direction: straight to bed for a more restful night’s sleep.
Start with your sleep environment
If your mind is buzzing from the day’s activities, then it’s likely that bright lights, TV, loud noises and an uncomfortable bed can all make it harder to switch off.
Your sleep environment is the best place to start when considering a sleep routine, and it all begins with the most important part of a better night’s sleep: your bedding and mattress. Have you had yours for decades on end with no hint of an upgrade? Or perhaps toss and turn all night long? It’s time to upgrade with a little luxury and find a bed you can’t resist. The moment you climb in at the end of the day, you want to feel your whole body relax into a more comfortable state.
Throw on a cosy quilt, a few throw cushions and a pillow for extra comfort. Once you have your bedding sorted, turn your attention to other important things like the room temperature, lighting and minimising noise. Then, it’s time to follow through with the rest of your routine.
Create your routine
A sleep routine can help signal to your body that it’s time to switch off and settle in. Night routines can vary depending on what you find relaxing and how much time you have spare in the afternoon. But here are a few general tips to get you started.
Clear your mind
Nighttime is often when our mind is abuzz, processing the day’s events and already beginning to plan for tomorrow. That can make it hard to switch off.
Before you head to the bedroom, grab yourself a pen and paper and have a debrief.
Write down three things that you enjoyed that day, three you didn’t and something you would like to work on. Next, think about tomorrow and write down any reminders you might have for yourself, that you can put on paper and out of your head. If it helps, you can bring this piece of paper into the room with you and add to it as things pop up. Getting them out of your head and onto paper can help you to stop thinking about them when you’re trying to get to sleep.
Leave electronics at the door
While the idea of a TV in bed where you can snuggle up and watch a good show sounds tempting, try and avoid it. Just the same, sometimes popping the phone away and avoiding the temptation to spend hours scrolling can help you drift off. Screens can stimulate the brain which makes it harder for you to fall asleep each night. The best solution? Make your bedroom a screen-free space.
Keep it dark
Darkness is your friend when it comes to sleep. Whether it’s a neighbour’s light or lights from around the house, a dark room can be an important part of your sleep environment. Once you hop into bed, keep it nice and dark to start this process. Close your blinds or curtains and try to angle your bed away from any lights. If you do need a little light, go for something soft like fairy lights or a soft lamp that offers a great balance of cosy, without being too bright.
Relax
Find something you love that relaxes you to help prepare your entire body for sleep. There’s plenty of options out there, it’s about finding what’s right for you. For some people this may be in the form of essential oils in your room, or using a lavender body lotion before slipping into bed. You can even go for an electronic diffuser which often has a gentle glow and can be set on a timer to switch off automatically.
For some, popping on some soft music that allows your mind to drift can help create calm . Or even cuddling up with a good book in hand, can allow you to disappear into another world. Find what works for you and include it in your nightly sleep routine.
Set up your sleep routine today
With just a few, easy tips up your sleeve you will be able to help your mind switch off at the end of each busy day, helping you fall asleep even faster when your head hits the pillow. There’s nothing better than a good rest to have you bouncing out of bed the next morning, ready for action.
