Creating a Nighttime Routine to Kickstart Your Day
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A Nighttime Routine Creates Morning Success
Your nighttime routine sets the tone for how your morning will go. I have found that being intentional with these 5 steps have created mornings that are less hectic and far more productive, giving me the start I need to have an amazing day!
Decide on a Bedtime
I need a certain amount of sleep each night to be productive the next day. I set my bedtime based off of this. If I need 8 hours of sleep and my nighttime routine takes 30 minutes, I can then figure out when I need to be in bed if I want to be up by 6 a.m. This means I need to make sure and turn off my electronics, log off my computer and head to my room by 9:30 p.m. I know, it sounds early! But I have found it’s just what my body needs and I’ve learned to listen. Find what your body needs and make sure you get to bed on time!
Develop a Bedtime Routine
I don’t know about you but I can’t go from doing something that requires all my brain power, straight to bed without some time in between. By creating a bedtime routine I create a space to unwind and prepare myself to fall asleep without laying there, thoughts running wild! I turn off electronics at least 30 minutes before I want to get in bed and then go about my nighttime routine. If you are struggling to keep to a regular nighttime routine, try using a habit tracker to keep those nighttime habits in check!
Clean Up
Have you ever tried to cook when the kitchen is a disaster? It just doesn’t go well! You have no counter space, the knife you need is dirty and you can’t find the salt because it’s buried If you have to clean before you can start your task, it pulls you off course and sucks up valuable time in your day. The same applies for mornings! If you spend a few minutes tidying up before you go to bed you will find your morning will go so much smoother.
Prepare Yourself
When my alarm first goes off, I’m not really awake. It takes some time for me to be fully alert and functioning. It’s never fun to stand in my closet and stare while trying to figure out what to wear. To get ahead of this, I set out anything I can ahead of time so there is less to do in the morning. If I have somewhere to be, I will pack what I need to take with me the night before. I also make sure I have planned the following day in my bullet journal so I can wake up and get straight to work.
Set an Alarm Away From Your Bed
This one is a serious challenge. My bed is warm and comfortable, it’s still dark outside and my room is freezing in the morning. I could hit snooze for over an hour (I know, terrible right?!). If I use my phone as an alarm and leave it by my bed I will most likely hit snooze too many times to count and then start scrolling once I open my eyes. To nip this bad habit in the bud, I leave my phone on a table near my reading nook the night before.
Create a Better Day
By creating a positive nighttime routine, you set the tone for your morning. Your intentions and actions the night before give you the best possible jump on the morning when that alarm goes off! Once you develop these habits, mornings will be easier and you will find your days are more happy and productive. What is one thing you need to change so that your mornings start off right?
I’ll give it a try…The hardest part for me is turning the electronics off.
That can be a struggle for sure Dawn. It’s so easy to get stuck in the continuous scroll of social media, or to just look up that “one last thing”.
I can’t function the next day if I stay up after 9pm. I do my prepping before I go to sleep—clothes out and lunch made.
Sounds like you’ve got a good routine down that works well for you Nancy. That’s great!
I’m the worst in the mornings – I can snooze my alarm for hours and sleep half the day away. I’m a student in charge of my own studies so when there are no repercussions it can be hard to motivate yourself.
Making lunches the night before, planning your outfit and breakfast help me feel better about getting out of my lovely warm bed!
The less you have to do in the morning the better, right Sorcha?! Those cozy beds are always calling our names.
I did all this and it still didn’t work – I’d let the alarm clock slide. But then I got a ‘ruggie’ = an alarm clock you have to stand on. I didn’t think it would but makes a big difference!
That’s definitely one way to get you out of bed Cathy!
I head to bed at 9:30, too! I have an alarm set on my phone with the sound of crickets chirping to let me know when it is time to start my bedtime routine. My sleep is so much better! I also clean up, BuJo for the next day and plan meals.
I have a “time for bed” alarm set to so I don’t lose track of time! It really does make a difference when you get the sleep you need and prep for the next day.
You are so right about a routine for bed helps the next morning. Cleaning up the kitchen, putting away misc things, setting up vitamins and coffee the night before… all contribute to a smoother morning. Also if you make your bed when you get up, this also helps your state of mind- https://www.facebook.com/goalcast/videos/1533350906742094/
Gotta go- time for my bed-time routine 😀
Great tips and I’ve fallen out with my bedtime routine but have continued to keep on top of the rest and yes it certainly makes a huge difference in the morning. So out comes my tracker and tonight I’ll start with small steps and this will lead me back into my evening routine. Thanks for the reminders, we do tend to waiver. Have a great night sleep and terrific morning.