We’ve all been there
Your loud, persistent alarm clock begins its unwavering screeching, forcing you to start your day, even though you received way too little sleep the night before. You lay in bed for a few extra minutes, allowing your body the time it needs to wake up, questioning why you feel so exhausted. Was it because you went to bed too late? Or woke up too early? Could it be those extra 20 minutes you spent scrolling through social media, or the constant thoughts running through your head, forbidding you to get a good night’s sleep?
Maybe you can relate to one of these possibilities, or maybe you can relate to all of them. We all wake up feeling unrefreshed, yet we all wonder why. And the answer is much simpler than you might think, the key to a refreshing slumber lies in our morning and night time routines. Creating a solid regimen to start and end your day won’t only reward you with a deeper sleep, but you’ll wake up feeling less sluggish and cranky.
The Key Routine – Step 1
The key to morning routines is consistency. Wake up at the same time every day (and don’t hit the snooze button!) to train your body; even wake up a little bit earlier than you have to. Giving yourself ample time to do what you love in the morning, whether it’s drinking coffee, taking a shower, or working out, will set a positive and productive tone for the rest of your day.
A prominent part of my morning routine is planning. For some reason, I absolutely adore sipping on a cup of coffee and filling out my planner. It takes the element of surprise out of my day, laying everything I have to do out in front of me, day seems less daunting this way. I wake up in the morning excited to start my day, all because of my morning routine.
Step 2
The second crucial component of peaceful sleep is a nighttime routine. By performing the same relaxing activities each night, you’re teaching your body to associate the routine with sleep. Turning off electronics at least an hour before you shut your eyes, stretching, performing a skin care routine, and even reading, can all communicate to your body that it’s time to turn off for the night.
Step 3
Your morning and night time routine don’t have to be complex, they just have to be consistent. Our bodies are malleable, through repetition and excitement in your day-to-day life, we can literally train our bodies to sleep better.
Click here to read more on how you can make, plan, and keep a routine!
