Bedtime Habits that Improve Your Entire Life

Bedtime Habits that Improve Your Entire Life

At the end of the day – once all the dishes are done, the kids are asleep and you’ve put your daily work to rest – may be your best opportunity to do a few things that could really improve your life.  Yes, you may be exhausted, but taking time for you, even if it is just a few minutes before bed, is important.  Plus, bedtime routines help you relax and prepare for sleep, and they can make the next day be a lot more manageable, productive and creative.

Check out these nightly bedtime rituals that many highly successful people do before they doze off to sleep:

Take a Walk:  Walking increases the flow of ideas because you’re concentrating on other things. And most people are most creative at night when their brain is free from the “stuff” that has to be done, immediately!  Whether you’re trying to find a solution to a problem at work or you’ve just begun a creative project and need to get your juices flowing, walking can help you work out your thoughts.  It invigorates your body and mind at the same time, plus it has many health benefits to boot.

Stretch:  It may seem counterintuitive to get your heart pumping right before bed, but it will actually help you relax, soothe your worn-out muscles and improve your circulation. And all three of those things make for a more restful, restorative sleep.  Stretching relieves much of the tension that builds up in your body from physical activity and stress during the day.  By releasing your muscles, you can let go of your day and prepare for the reparation of sleep.

Read:  Watching a bright television or fooling around on your mobile phone or tablet is too stimulating for a night-time activity.  Instead, read a book, and make it a self-improvement book.  Mysterious, fantastical page-turners might make you want to read all night.  But if you select a book that is interesting and make actually make a difference in your life, you can go to sleep letting the advice soak in without being over-stimulated.

Plan:  You don’t have to map out every moment of the next day, but do think through the important things you want to accomplish.  These items will be top-of-mind when you wake up refreshed and they can be the first thing you tackle with a clear mind.  Also, get prepare a few things for the next day.  We all know mornings are very hectic as you try to get yourself and everyone in your family ready for their day.  The more you can get done the night before, the smoother your morning will be.

Meditate on Gratefulness:  After you’ve prepared and planned, let your mind slip into a peaceful state as a release from the tasks of your daily life.  A good way to do this is to think about the many things in your life for which you are grateful.  Studies show that counting your blessings, so to speak, gives people more emotional balance and they tend to have a more positive outlook on life.  Even during hard times, we are all grateful in some ways.

Un-Primp, Hygienate and Healthify:  Spend a few minutes un-grooming by removing your makeup, moisturizing, brushing and flossing your teeth and taking your vitamins (if you haven’t taken them already).  Nighttime is the best time for skin to breathe and repair.  By removing your makeup, you’ll allow your natural oils to protect and rejuvenate your skin.  Then hydrate your face and entire body with a natural moisturizer with essential oils.  Especially during winter months, your body needs extra moisturization overnight.  Brushing and flossing are an important nighttime hygiene routine, not only for good oral health and to prevent tooth decay and tooth loss later in life, but also to void many other unexpected health conditions that stem from your mouth.  Lastly, a daily vitamin is essential for a healthy lifestyle.

We hope you employ some of these highly effective healthy bedtime habits.  Get into the routine tonight for a healthier tomorrow!

The post Bedtime Habits that Improve Your Entire Life appeared first on Leading Lady.

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