Night routines are all the rage when it comes to wellness! And for many good reasons! A healthy nighttime routine promotes quality sleep and health benefits that support your cognitive function, your mood, and your productivity for the next day. Not to mention, in the long run as well. I’ve talked a lot of healthy morning habits, now let’s get your nighttime routine taken care of! I know it can be difficult to end the mindless social media scroll before bed or the late-night Netflix binges on your phone, but here are some tips that I find very helpful on how to create a healthy nighttime routine that you will actually want to stick with every night!
1. Swap your phone out for a book
I’ll admit, binge-watching Friends or The Office on my laptop before bed does sound fun, but nothing compares those peaceful and serene nights that I achieve when I read before bed. I love to curl up in bed with my dogs, flick on my salt lamp, and read a couple of chapters from a good book. The type of good book that motivates you to put your phone down and look forward to diving into the pages. Personally, I love to reach for a good fiction novel. Right now I am reading The Nightengale by Kristen Hannah. If you are a history buff, like me, you will be absolutely captivated by this book!
I recommend reading fiction novels since fiction novels tend to calm down our anxious minds and pull us into a restful and relaxed state. Which you can read more about that here! However, any simple, paperback novel that motivates you to climb into your bed without your phone is perfect.
2. Drink a cup of peppermint tea
I recommend drinking a delicious, warm cup of peppermint tea before bed because it is an excellent sleep aid and it hydrates your body. In fact, peppermint tea is essential for those who have digestive problems or if you have an upset stomach when trying to fall asleep. Many studies have shown that it helps relieve bloating and gas pain, reduce heartburn, and relieve indigestion as well. Peppermint tea contains no caffeine so it won’t keep you up all night. Also, it is naturally sugar-free which makes it the perfect after-dinner wellness ritual!
3. Use a little bit of help
Since I am a full-time blogger and college student taking online classes right now, I spend a ton of time on my computer! And if I’m being honest, I sometimes go on my computer much later in the day than I should. This habit from this current season of life can really affect how my body naturally produces melatonin. Melatonin is the hormone that makes you feel sleepy! 😉 That is why I either take a melatonin supplement or lately, I have been loving Magnesium L-Threonate, to help me fall asleep!
Magnesium L-Threonate is outstanding for those who have problems sleeping, have sleep disorders, and especially for those who suffer from sleep anxiety! So I definitely recommend trying any of these two natural supplements out if you need a little bit of help when falling asleep.
4. Create a sleep-friendly space
As you are starting to wind down and begin your nighttime routine, start by making your bedroom a zen and peaceful space. Dim or completely shut off the lights in your room, burn a couple of candles, and set your ideal bedroom temperature that way you can go to bed feeling more relaxed. Also, make sure that you have an adequate amount of pillows or blankets that you prefer to sleep with each night. It is important to pay attention to the scent in your room as well.
I love using a Lavender essential oil to help put me into a calmer state and to aid in peaceful, quality sleep. Most nights, I use an aromatherapy diffuser to fill the room with the soothing scent of the Lavender essential oil. Or I occasionally rub a little bit of it on my wrists, the back of my neck, or on the bottom of my feet. Either way, adding lavender oil into your nighttime routine is perfect for letting your subconscious mind know that it is time for bed. Especially the longer you continue to use it!
5. Relax and journal
Most nights when I have trouble sleeping, it’s because my mind is racing about all of the things that are on my to-do list for tomorrow. To combat this, I have made it a habit to journal at least an hour or so before bed. I write down all of my thoughts and plans for the next day that way I can go to bed with a clear mind and stress-free mind. I know that I have written down all of the plans and tasks that I want to accomplish tomorrow, so I no longer have to go to bed worrying if I will forget them by the morning.
Another thing that I do is take time to relax! Think about what makes you relax at the end of a long day. For me, it depends on the day. Sometimes I love to take a hot, detoxing, Epsom salt bath, and other times I like to curl up on the couch with a cozy, thick blanket and watch Lifetime movies. Whatever I feel will help me unwind after a long day is what I choose to do!
What are some of your healthy nighttime habits?
xo, Cydney
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