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Have you developed a healthy nightly ritual that includes pre-bed productive things?
There are lots of productive things to do right before bed to get the most out of your day and be better prepared for the next.
Plus all signs suggest that the night before is the best time to plan!
Your mind and body really need a signal that it’s time for a bed, so it’s really great to create a number of relaxing activities that you can perform as your own personal switch off every night.
That doesn’t mean watching TV all night or social media lounging either … It means developing the right steps which will help you to relax every single night so that you can get a better night’s sleep and wake up well-rested.
Here are nine simple and healthy things that you can do just before you go to sleep!
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9 Productive Things to Do Before Bed Instead of Binging TV
1. Unplug and power down
If you have a tough life and work life and you check e-mails regularly, this tip is entirely for you. You’re not supposed to be on the clock when you’re supposed to be winding down in the evenings.
Most sleep experts suggest that for about an hour before you go to bed, that’s the best time to leave your telephone and computer alone. If you don’t, you’re not giving yourself enough time to relax from the day.
Also, this will motivate you to sleep healthier at night and enable you to be more aware of what’s pressing on your mind, rather than scrolling quietly and carefree.
2. Take probiotics
Good health is a popular subject these days and for good reason.
Besides this being a healthy evening ritual, did you know that intestinal bacteria may have a strong influence on your well-being? More and more studies are popping up showing that the effects of obesity, cancer, depression, are looking at intestinal health problems as the culprit.
Dr. Will Cole suggests taking probiotics at night to combat this! The wonderful thing about probiotics is when you take them without food they don’t interfere with your digestive enzymes, so nighttime really is the best time to take your probiotics.
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3. Read for 30 minutes
Just like improving your gut health, reading also improves your brain. Reading not only relaxes your mind but it’ll also help you feel just a little bit more sleepy.
Studies suggest you can help with stress, improve mood, boost your memory, and cognitive abilities by reading a little and often.
Reading is not only relaxing for a moment, it can be a form of escapism and therapy in and of itself.
Plus, sometimes it’s good to let the mind check out and be somewhere else, and reading from a book is the best form to do this, especially right before bed.
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4. Have a skincare routine
Going to bed with your make-up still on is a massive violation of your skincare and beauty health. Take care of yourself and your sensitive skin by always washing, rinsing, and having the proper hydration.
When you do, you will start to feel so much better and prepared for bed. To learn more about some unhealthier skincare habits (to see if you are doing any of these mistakes yourself) check out 12 skincare mistakes and how to fix them here!
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5. Set the scene
Everyone should know that the most ideal sleeping environment for your body should be cool, dark, and, of course, quiet.
Most sleep experts suggest that you should do whatever you can to get rid of any added noise and light as they are hindering your success of getting those healthy Zzz’z that your body and brain desperately requires.
That means light some candles, get your sleep app ready, choose some white noise, and set the scene so your room is extra cozy come bedtime.
Web MD also advises that you use a fan or air conditioner when your homes are busy and loud at night.
Of course, it is also important to have a comfortable bed. This may mean splurging on a decent mattress or getting a unique pillow to help you sleep better and stay comfortable.
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6. Envision and visualize your next day
One of the best ways to plan for the future is to see it before it manifests!
Just like the way planning works, when you have already thought it through and envisioned your ideal day? You are more likely to experience it because you are comfortable and familiar with and have far more courage to go after it.
So when it comes to relaxing and preparing for bed, this ritual is most ideal to do it last thing. That means try to spend your last minutes of every night thinking about your tomorrow’s goals and imagining what you can do and how you can complete them.
You bet this is a habit that most successful people already do, so the best time to apply this is right before you fall asleep!
7. Plan out your to-do list
If you find that your visualizing as mentioned in the last step is mixed with mentally preparing and planning to not ‘forget things’. Then it’s best to write out all of the things you need to get done for tomorrow, so you can leave your imagination open for new ideas.
Without a clear plan of action, nothing can be so aggravating when you welcome the new day in the morning due to forgetting to get clear on your most important tasks.
So, grab a pen and notepad and place it on your nightstand today! This way when you come up with a new idea, you can house all of your great ideas at a moment’s notice.
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8. Prepare Your Clothes for Tomorrow
Tonight’s little endeavor to being more prepared will equal to major gains in the morning. You bet that that includes whatever you are going to wear for the next day too.
Remember, you want your mornings to be as easy as you can, so if you can make this a nightly ritual, you’ll have less stress picking out your clothes come morning time.
Plus, you’ll also save more time to get whatever you need to get done, actually done in the mornings that way you can enjoy your morning routine in peace.
9. Make Aromatherapy Part Of Your Bedtime Ritual
Because different aromas and smells can affect our mood, before bedtime, aromatherapy can be a fantastic routine to add to your nightly regimen. It can help you fall asleep, destress, and prepare you for a better night’s sleep. That’s why essential oils are the last step that you should include in your nightly regiment.
Here are the Best Essential Oils for Sleep:
- Lavender Oil. Lavender increases slow-wave sleep that is instrumental for slowing heartbeat and relaxing muscles.
- Valerian Oil. Valerian essential oil can improve the quality of your sleep, so you wake up feeling energized and ready to go.
- Clary Sage. Clary sage oil may also help with relaxation. Researchers in a 2013 study found that when the oil was used in a diffuser, it helped women undergoing urodynamic examination relax more effectively.
- Roman Chamomile. Roman chamomile essential oil reduces insomnia, relieves anxiety, and depression.
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You can’t just expect to roll out of bed without a plan and that plan usually starts before you go to sleep!
If you would like to learn the best productivity tips that will help you wake up fully prepared? Check out these helpful morning hacks to start your day off right next!
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Author: Rebecca
Hi, my name is Rebecca and I am the face behind Everything Abode! I am a lifestyle and wellness writer based out of Vancouver Island. When I’m not writing or exploring mountains and beaches with my furry rescue, I love spending time learning creative ways to manifest a healthy home. Thanks for stopping by!
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