4 Reasons You Should Have a Nighttime Routine

Why is it that some of us seem to sleep better than others? If you’ve ever craved more snooze time in the morning, during the middle of the day, or found yourself zoning out from lack of sleep, there’s a likely culprit to your woes. You likely need better sleep, not more. So how do you get better sleep without compromising your day-to-day? The answer is simple: you need a nighttime routine.

A nighttime routine can quickly fix your inconsistent sleepy time cravings. Continue reading for our top four reasons you should have a nighttime routine.

When you create a nighttime routine, you check off a list of to-dos. Think of it this way: when you arrive at the office, do you jump into your work? That’s unlikely, as most of us have a routine to settle into our day. We prepare a cup of coffee, set up our desk area, go through emails, list daily priorities, and so forth. 

So why would our bedtime be any different? When you check off a list of ways to unwind your day, you’ll signal to your brain that it’s time to start winding down. Then, in the same way your brain starts to fire up at the beginning of the day, it'll respond accordingly and begin to unwind. 

One of the most important reasons you should have a nighttime routine is to help keep your bedtime to a set schedule. Whether you live by a schedule or not (taking the kids to school, arriving at the office, etc.), a sleep schedule can benefit everyone—even on weekends or off days. A sleep schedule acclimates your body’s internal clock. After consistently going to bed at the same time, you’ll discover that you might not even need an alarm clock the next day. As time passes, this schedule you’ve put into motion will eventually become a habit.

As you prepare your body for sleep and begin to stick to a sleep schedule, you should have a nighttime routine because it builds healthy nighttime habits. These habits can make or break your overall sleep quality, so consider these few things that can help with your routine:

Perhaps the best reason you should have a nighttime routine is for the impact it will have the next day. The next day feels completely different when you go to sleep at around the same time each night and get the quality sleep you need. You’ll wake up refreshed and satisfied, boosting your productivity all day.

There are endless benefits to establishing a nighttime routine, and the sooner you begin, the quicker you’ll feel refreshed for the next day and days to come!