Nighttime Routine

Sian321

I've been trying to fall asleep earlier lately and get my sleeping routine back on track after a bit of a hectic past month!

I'm curious, what are some of the things you like to do each evening to get ready for a good night's rest?

Are you someone who has a set nighttime 'routine', or maybe your evenings look different every day?

Animalloverb

@Sian321
My evening looks different everyday.

I am still working on my own sleep sleep routine as mine I also so messed up, I have had sleep issues all my life and since nothing has worked I just learned how to manage on the sleep I do get but I am working on changing this.
For now I have just been having a warm shower and drink before I go to bed, and write some of my book.

Sian321

@Animalloverb , I hear you - it sounds like sleep has been a challenge for quite a long time now, and you've had to adjust to living with less of it, even though you'd like that to change.

Those rituals of a warm shower, a drink before bed, and then doing creative-writing sound really, really soothing. I had no idea you're writing a book! That feels so exciting!

Animalloverb

@Sian321
Ah yeah I am writing a book at the moment, currently planning and writing the second chapter.
I did mention it in a chat one time but you were not working that chat.

Sian321

Oh that's so exciting @Animalloverb ! What a gorgeous thing to do for yourself!

Animalloverb

I thought that this may be useful for you @Sian321 and everyone else too of course.

If your wanting to start going to sleep earlier the best way to do that is to shift your bedtime slowly, by doing it is small stages, so maybe like change it between 15 to 30 minutes earlier each night until you reach the time you want.

I would recommend you to stay away from any screen for at least an hour before you go to bed just because the blue lights can interfere with the production of melatonin.

I would also say to make sure your bedroom is a calm environment, so make sure it is dark, cool, and quiet.
During the summer season it may be harder to fall asleep because it is lighter then winter, blackout curtains are great for this as it shuts out the outside light making your room dark so your body realises it is bedtime.

The thing most people already know but I will say it anyway, engage in relaxing activities before you go to bed, most people call this wind down time. Do things like have a warm bath or shower, listen to calming music, read, journal.

Avoid things like alcohol, caffeine, electronics or exercise before you go to bed.

Also doing things during the day will also benefit you when your wanting to go to sleep.
Make sure you get enough natural sunlight throughout the day.
Engage is some physical activity during the day, as it can help to improve your quality of sleep but don't engage in any intense activity before bedtime.

Another main one is to manage your stress as stress and worry can massively interfere with sleep, try doing some relaxation techniques before bed, this is also why having a wind down period before bed that last at least an hour is helpful.