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Humans are creatures of habit. Like any other routine, night routines establish habits that help our brains recognize when it’s time to sleep.
Most people don’t want to hear about an optimum night routine because shouldn’t we just chill after a long day?
Put on the pyjamas, order a pizza and watch a couple of episodes of the newest Netflix series?
This might be a tempting picture. But bad evening habits may tend to damage your quality of sleep and affect the credibility of your next day.
That’s why if you want to win the day, you need to fine-tune your habits the night before.
It’s never too late to start a new evening routine, especially some that do wonders for both the brain and body. So, here you go…
#1 Unplug & read a book
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Reading is a pastime that survived the invention of mobile phones, computers, and streaming platforms.
Have you ever found yourself dozing off as you’re reading?
Because when the mind is engaged in a world constructed by words, tension evaporates and the body relaxes, paving the way for sleep.
Reading before bedtime affects our overall well-being and it’s something that you should try to see the results for yourself.
“Take a good book to bed with you – books do not snore.” – Thea Dorn#
#2 Turn off the tech
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It’s the bedtime routine for so many of us: Flip the lights off, crawl into bed and then… reach for the cell phone.
Put the phone away!
Despite what you may think, your favorite Netflix show does not help you relax, nor does scrolling on Instagram.
It keeps your mind psychologically engaged.
The blue light from the screen suppresses melatonin and the alerting properties delay REM sleep.
It’s time to set some ground rules.
If you’re struggling with limiting screen time before bed, try putting your phone in a different room and investing in a clock radio for your bedside table.
#3 Journal
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A pen for your thoughts? Yes, please!
Journaling is an age-old practice that’s more popular than ever.
There’s something about the act of writing – physically writing something on paper – that tends to offload our stress a little bit or help us hit the pause button on it.
Forget what your high school English teacher would say about grammar, punctuation, and spelling, the journal is for your eyes only.
Positive journaling aka gratitude journal can redirect your mind. By the time you put away the journal, climb under the covers, and switch off the light, you’ll be in a better frame of mind for drifting off into sleep.
#4 Practice dental hygiene & skincare
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Sleep is the time that your skin replenishes itself and heals all kinds of damage.
Beauty sleep is important, but what you do before you conk out makes a difference in your complexion too.
A nighttime skincare routine that concentrates on hydration and repair can keep your skin firm and clear.
Also, beauty is not just a matter of the outside, but of the inside as well.
If your breath doesn’t smell right, there is no point in getting wellness advice.
A lot can happen to your mouth in eight hours, especially when you’re sleeping and bacteria are gathering on your teeth.
So, it’s important to brush your teeth before retiring to the bed to keep your oral health tidy as well.
Read here about- Skincare habits to stop ageing
#5 Use a diffuser
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This handy device offers a natural and safer alternative to air fresheners or candles, especially if you want to take a more active role in your own health.
It is an important part of a successful night routine to make your room smell peaceful and create a healthy environment.
They provide numerous health benefits for the household.
Using a room diffuser is probably the easiest way to dispense these benefits into the air to improve your health, boost your energy and promote good sleep, among others.
#6 Use an eye mask
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Almost all of us keep staring at our mobile phones all day and all night long.
This takes a toll on the wellness of our eyes. Besides this, we ladies irritate the skin around our eyes by wearing makeup.
But what if all you need to get those elusive Zzz’s is a little piece of fabric covering your eyes?
Sleep masks aren’t anything new but this simple solution can be a cost-effective investment in your health with life-saving benefits.
There are plenty of options out there, so shop around and find what works for you.
#7 Go to bed before midnight
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From adjusting to working from home and its new lack of routine to trying to sleep through a heatwave, our sleep schedules have been put through the wringer these past few months.
If you’re feeling tired and exhausted lately, then it might have something to do with the amount of sleep you’re getting in before midnight.
Why? Because the hours of sleep we manage to shoehorn in before midnight are the most restorative we can get.
Pick a bedtime and a wake-up time as a routine and stick to them as much as possible.
Erratic sleep patterns can leave you feeling out of whack, so a regular sleep schedule may be exactly what you need to live a happier, healthier life.
Here’s What To Read Next-#
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