5 things to do before bed
Getting a good night’s sleep and starting your day bustling with energy is just about the best thing to do. From entrepreneurs and presidents to writers and CEOs, it seems happy, successful people lean on a solid set of bedtime rituals to speed them into the new day. Of course, you don’t need to be a CEO of a global company to aim for a restful sleep and productive day. For some of us, getting through work, organising kids and maintaining a healthy lifestyle is a challenge. We’ve come up with a list of five things to do before bed to ensure you wake up ready to transform your day into a productive success.
1. Organise your time
Before you hit the hay, spend five minutes going through your planner or calendar. Make a list of all the things you have to do and then write a list of all the things you’d like to accomplish the following day. If the list gets too long, we suggest prioritising and moving things to other days in the week. Some people write down three things they’d like to achieve per day as it’s not an overwhelming number and enables a lot to be achieved come the end of the week. By organising your time the night before, you’ll wake up each morning with a sense of purpose and ready to seize the day ahead.
2. Have a quick tidy-up
Another way to wake up clear-headed and ready to start your day is to ensure you have a quick clean up around your house or apartment the night before. Things like cleaning the dishes, putting your clothing and shoes away and even tidying up paperwork will ensure your house is more tidy come morning time. If you’ve spent the night watching Netflix or playing video games, clear up the remotes and controllers, fluff up the pillows and fold up the throw rug on the couch and bin any snack wrappers. Who wouldn’t be excited to start their day in a clean house? Those who manage to put the washing on and hang it up before leaving for work in the morning get bonus points.
3. Wind-down
If you find yourself feeling anxious at night, chances are you won’t enjoy a fulfilling sleep. You may stare at the ceiling with your thoughts racing until 2 am and wake up the next day feeling sluggish. There are a few strategies you can try to combat this before turning in for the night. The first is meditation which can be as short as two minutes or as long as thirty. If you’re not sure how to start, you can enrol in a beginners class or purchase an app like Calm, Headspace or iMindfulness. The second is reading an old-fashioned book you enjoy. By doing either of these things you can relax your mind and body for a soothing sleep.
4. Prepare your activewear
Many of us like to start the day with exercise but it’s easy to put it off if it’s too early, you’re running late or just not organised. By laying out your clothes the night before, half this battle is won. You’ll be able to turn off your alarm (not hit Snooze), stumble out of bed, put your clothes on and be on your way to the gym or walking track. It only takes five minutes to lay your activewear out the night before but the benefits are impressive. It saves you from fumbling around half asleep in the morning looking for your leggings, socks and drink bottle. Say good morning to a healthier lifestyle that allows you to feel charged, motivated and productive.
5. Turn off your phone
Phone calls, emails and social notifications can always wait until the morning. The last thing you want is to be woken up by the beeping, ringing or pinging of your phone. Facebook’s COO Sheryl Sandberg, admits that despite it being painful she turns her phone off each night. So, turn your phone off, put it on silent, or better still leave it in a completely different room and use an old fashioned alarm clock instead. Enjoying a better night’s sleep is crucial if you want to be productive the next day and think of it this way, if you’ve slept well you’re more likely to deal with any communication in a more positive, uplifting way.
Don’t forget that a good night’s sleep is what helps you achieve productivity the following day. If you have trouble falling asleep at night, try these four ways to improve your sleep or head in-store and speak to our bedroom specialists about using the Snooze Profiler® to find a new mattress that is better suited to you.
References:
1. https://lifehacker.com/what-to-do-before-bed-and-after-waking-up-for-more-dail-5969513
2. https://www.businessinsider.com.au/what-successful-people-do-before-going-to-bed-2013-10