AD | Lack of sleep is allllll us folk in the UK have been talking about lately, thanks to last weeks horrendous heatwave. The country saw highs of 39 degrees or something stupid. And of course, I live right in what’s usually the hottest part of the UK. So it’s safe to say, my night time routine has gone right out the window for a while.
Photo by Minh Pham on Unsplash
And you know what? I can feel it. During last weeks heatwave, I felt completely out of whack. Waking up 17 times a night to pee from all the water you’ve been drinking. Then not being able to concentrate for longer than 12 minutes the following day.
By Friday, I was already 3 days behind on work and although the temperature was back down to normal (I even put a HOODIE on at one point), I seriously struggled to get stuff done due to the lack of sleep, the broken sleep and the lack of routine of the past few days.
Earlier this year, I wrote about a new night time routine I’d adopted for myself. Of course this routine has been broken and I don’t follow it religiously every single night but when I do, I still notice a difference. So, there’s something to be said for a good ol’ night time routine.
But it’s not only that – your bedding makes a huge difference as well. So sometimes, it’s good to sort the foundations out first. Investing in a good mattress and mattress topper from somewhere like Simba can be the starting point for turning around your quality of sleep.
So here are some things to consider adopting into your night time routine to ensure a better sleep, better well-being and to set you up for a positive start the following day:
Relaxing and winding down for the day
This is probably the most important point here. Nobody NEEDS to be go-go-go for 24 hours a day. You have enough energy for one day at a time. Remember that! And I’ve also noticed a bit of a trend in the blogging world of people, almost bragging that they were up working until 4am. STOP.
It’s not healthy. Or necessary. And it definitely doesn’t make you look cooler than the rest of us. I’ve learnt that it’s so important to get out of work mode and try and incorporate completely un-work related tasks and activities to your night time routine. Currently it’s watching an episode of CSI with my boyfriend.
Can you believe I’ve made it to 26 without seeing CSI?
Groom before you sleep
Health expert Tony Spencer from Spruce emphasizes that grooming before sleeping is essential for maintaining personal hygiene, which is crucial for overall health. Nightly routines, such as washing your face, brushing and flossing your teeth, and moisturizing, help remove dirt, oil, and bacteria accumulated throughout the day, preventing skin issues and oral health problems.
Additionally, according to this professional dentist in Port Charlotte FL, these routines can promote relaxation and signal to your body that it’s time to wind down, improving the quality of your sleep. Consistent grooming also boosts self-esteem and ensures you wake up feeling fresh and clean.
Consider your lighting
Your actual environment can play a huge part in your night time routine and how effectively you can switch off and wind down for the night. Take last week and the temperature for example. How many of us got more than 4 hours of sleep over the course of 3 days of 30+ degrees (where our bedrooms were probably more like 35)?
Of course in the UK, things like that can’t be helped when the temperature is THAT high (no, America, we don’t have air con in our houses and yes, our houses are literally designed to keep heat in) but other elements can. Such as the lighting in your space.
Heals have a great range of lighting options to suit different rooms and styles. Try opting for softer lighting, rather than harsh, white light bulbs and if you’re able to install a dimmer switch then that’s an amazing option for in the evening when you don’t really want a huge light beating down on you.
And for all the interiors fans among you, a stylish pendant light can really transform a room and make it cosier, more chic and stylish or more “you”, depending on your taste. And that’s another important factor of your night time routine, is being happy with the room you’re in.
Limit your screen time
Speaking of harsh lighting… screens. I will admit that I CAN sleep after staring at screens like my phone, TV and laptop. It doesn’t make that much of an impact on me getting to sleep. But when I limit my screen time in the evening, I definitely find I stay asleep for longer before I wake up and generally get a better sleep overall.
So I won’t condemn you for checking Twitter before you go to bed. But so long as you limit it and put your phone down when enough is enough. You don’t need to be on Twitter all night. Honestly. None of us are that interesting.
Appreciation and gratitude
For your mental state of mind, it’s important to 1) not go to bed angry. And 2) go to bed with a grateful heart. It takes 30 seconds to say or think about what you’re grateful for that day. And do that every night and you’ll have adopted a really positive element of your night time routine.
There’s always something to be grateful of. Even when it doesn’t feel like it. A nice meal, a thoughtful blog comment, a walk with your dog, a yummy Yoga practice. However big or small, appreciation and gratitude go a long way.
Write tomorrow’s to-do list
I always write up my to-do list for the following day the evening before. Not usually right before I go to bed because I know I’ll be up for a while thinking of ideas and things but a couple of hours before bed. To me, writing up my following day to-do list really signifies the end of the current work day. And allows me to relax even more!
How do you ensure you have a solid night time routine? What elements do you include to make sure you wake up feeling refreshed and in a positive mindset for the day ahead?
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