As I’ve approached a certain age, the importance of me getting the proper amount of sleep has become a priority. Once I realized and admitted to myself that sleep is an essential, I needed to come up with a self care sleep routine.
So often at the end of the night we go take a shower or bath, lights out, and then go to bed. You ever find yourself not able to fall asleep, restless, still have a million things on your mind, and eventually you don’t get a good nights rest. Well that’s because body has laid down but your mind is still wide awake.
Why Getting Proper Sleep is Important
Sleep is important because its our charge and refuel for the next day. Just like you plug in your phone at night, our mind and body needs to be charged.
Mentally getting proper sleep helps us the next day remain alert, focus, and prepared to attentively tackle the day. When we are tired mentally, we’re more apt to be anxious which leads to anger and frustration. Lack of proper sleep leads to more stress and mentally being broken down.
Physically, when we get proper sleep, our bodies are rejuvenated and energized to get through the next day. Sleep gives our muscles a break and let them rebuild. Lack of sleep leaves our bodies feeling heavy, stiff, and fatigued.
Getting enough sleep allows our emotional health to remain stable. Because we’re tired mentally and physically the way we begin to process the days course is off. The smallest detour in the day may cause you to lash out, have a breakdown, and the snowball would just keep rolling.
Our productivity when we get sleep in increased. Having the energy to complete tasks, maneuver all the balls we juggle, and have the ability to prioritize is because the sleep has allowed our mind and body to recharge.Self Care: Personal Goal Setting
How to Create A Sleep routine
A sleep routine or nighttime routine is important because you need to unwind and unpack the days events. It’s sort of sealing or capping off the day so it does’t carry over into the next. Not having a routine will allow the days to run over and you still won’t rest at night.
Having a sleep or nighttime routine doesn’t have to take long, its time set aside to get you prepared for the next day, let go of what was today, and keeps your wellness in check.
The first thing is to pick a time to get started. The easiest way to get started is by tidying up the house and making sure its ready for the next day. This not only physically sets you up for success in the morning, but it puts your mental in a space of resetting. It may change or adjust as you become comfortable or life happen. Of course its going to vary depending on your career, if you have a family, and the days events.
Next in creating a sleep or night routine is logging off. That means checking emails, social media, playing your favorite games, and yes even watching the news. You don’t want the last thing you see or hear to be something that is going to interrupt you mental space when lying down to sleep.
In addition to logging off make sure you have written down or looked over your to do list or appointments for the next day. You know where you have to be and when. This one in particular is important for me because I can then create an outfit in my head for work or even get it out.
Of course a sleep or nighttime routine isn’ t complete without a shower or bath to wash the day down the drain. Take your time as this may be the only moment to yourself you have all day. Do your skincare routine and prep your hair for the next day. When we look good, we feel good, and present our best selves.
Lastly make it a point to get in the bed around the same time every night. When you do, don’t sit up and watch television. Decide to journal or read for 30 minutes. Listen to some soft music or read a devotional, my favorite.
Creating a routine puts our mental and a physical in clear headspace that set us up for productivity the next day. Most of the time we are so drained that we are in a rush, making decisions that aren’t thought out, and leads to stress and breakdown.
A self care sleep routine is important for everyone no matter what you’re doing, where you’re going, and what you have.
RosalynLynn
Be you so you can be free.
