We’ve discussed the importance of routines here a few times before and how routines can have a positive influence on your life as a whole.
Fitness routines, gratitude routines and meal preparation routines can all be game changers for your health and wellness. But today, let’s take a deeper dive into two of the most impactful routines you can have: your morning routine and your bedtime routine.
I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase “the morning is the most important time of your day.” And while it can sound kind of cliché, the trueness of the statement remains.
We all know the feeling of starting your day on the wrong foot. You wake up late, spill your coffee, realize the dryer never did its only job and just can’t seem to get out of the door to work on time.
Likewise, we all know the feeling of going to bed way too late: stressing about the time and how little sleep you’re destined to get, tossing and turning all night because you went to bed feeling so unsettled, and waking with a sense of dread for the challenging (and sleepy) day ahead.
It’s no secret that both of these scenarios are extremely unconducive to a happy and positive lifestyle. So how does any of it change? How do you actually start feeling better and enjoying each day more?
Well, my friend, one little- known saying in the wellness world: A good morning starts the night before. That’s right. While a solid morning routine is important and essential for optimal well-being, a good nighttime routine is just as important (and arguably more important).
From a health and wellness standpoint, implementing these two routines can prove to be incredibly transformative. A solid morning routine can improve your mental health by reducing stress and anxiety and increase your productivity by improving your energy levels. A good morning routine can also help with your overall quality of life by improving your mood, happiness and even your confidence.
Understandably, the health benefits of a good bedtime routine are very similar and include things like better sleep quality, improved energy throughout your day and better cognitive function. Additionally, having a good bedtime routine can also reduce your risk of chronic illnesses like diabetes and heart disease. Adequate sleep is also essential for a healthy immune system and can help our body prevent or fight off infections. Sleep is one of the most underrated but vitally important aspects of our life. However, many of us run on much less sleep than recommended for health and longevity. Having a healthy bedtime routine can help promote quality sleep, better sleep-wake cycles and a healthier overall life.
Since our sleep-wake cycle is so integral for optimal health and wellness, it is recommended to wake up and go to bed at or around the same time every day. Yes, this means staying up late and sleeping in late on the weekends is not in the best interest of your health and wellness, as it throws off your sleep-wake cycle.
Once the weekend is over, it is hard for the body to adjust back to going to bed and waking up earlier, and this can have a hugely negative impact on sleep quality, energy levels and quality of life. As difficult as it can be, trying to avoid staying up late on Friday night and sleeping in on Saturday can have very positive benefits in your overall wellness.
Some suggestions for your morning routine: Implement anything that helps you start your day on a good note and feel your best. This can be things like listening to an uplifting song, going outside right away for morning fresh air, reading a self-development book, writing a gratitude list, meditating, doing some breathwork exercises, moving your body or eating something nourishing.
The key is to wake up with enough time to do your morning routine and get ready for your day without feeling rushed. Starting your day off rushing sets the tone of stress and frustration for the rest of your day.
Some suggestions for your bedtime routine: Incorporate anything that helps you calm your mind and body down and prepare for sleep. This can be things like putting your phone down, turning down the lights, reading a calming book, meditating, stretching or drinking some hot tea.
The key here is to get your mind and body ready for sleep before you actually lie down, so that you don’t feel the need to lie in bed and scroll on your phone until you fall asleep.
It’s also important to note that your routines should work for you. They should help you improve your day rather than adding stress to your day. Just because something works for one person doesn’t mean it will work for you, so feel free to try out a few (or several) different routines before deciding what helps you feel your best.
Sticking to routines like these can be more challenging when you have little kids or when life is busy, but your routine does not have to take a long time. Even a five-minute solid morning and evening routine can totally change your life for the better. Let yourself go with the flow and do what feels best, most natural and most helpful to you.
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A solid morning routine can improve your mental health by reducing stress and anxiety and increase your productivity by improving your energy levels. A good morning routine can also help with your overall quality of life by improving your mood, happiness and even your confidence.
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