5 Nightly Routines To Set You Up For Success
Do you still have that image of a hard-driving entrepreneur who is too focused on making it to eat or sleep or relax? Maybe they’ll achieve their dreams – but they also have a good chance of achieving burnout and bad health. This doesn’t have to be you, even if you’re just as ambitious. In fact, some of the biggest achievers in the world are as committed to feeling good as they are to doing good.
One of the best times to start improving your productivity and your wellness is at night. Try out some of these tested tactics:
1. Get more and deeper sleep.
It’s hard to let your mind rest when you have so much on your plate, especially starting a new business. But if you can get at least seven to eight hours of sleep every night, you’ll be fresh and ready to tackle the daylight hours ahead. One vital change to make is turning all of your screens off at night. If you use your phone as your alarm, put it at a distance from your bedside so you don’t give in to the temptation to check your messages in the dark. This will also motivate you to get out of bed in the morning.
2. Prepare your body during the day for more and deeper sleep.
Your body will have an easier time relaxing when it feels good. Here are two important ways to make that happen:
- Eat healthier and more regularly. That means eating three square meals a day with plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, fish, and healthy fats. Make water your beverage of choice to keep yourself feeling hydrated and refreshed.
- Get in the habit of moving around. Taking 30 minutes out of your day for exercise, even just an evening walk around the neighborhood, can have a bigger impact than you might think.
3. Make to-do lists.
One of the worst things you can do before you turn in for the night is to let the next day’s schedule float around in your mind while you’re trying to fall asleep. Take a minute in the evening to write down everything you need to get done the next day. Plan to tackle the bigger items as early as possible so you don’t find yourself squeezed for time by the afternoon. If there’s anything that can wait until the next day or the next week, save it for a lighter day.
4. Take some time for mindfulness.
Successful people swear by meditation – a chance to let your thoughts flow freely and learn how to handle them. You can find tons of guided meditations for free on YouTube. Find a pair of earbuds, a quiet corner of your home, and 15 minutes of spare time in the morning and in the evening, and give it a try. If you don’t feel any different after the first two or three meditations, don’t give up – everyone needs the practice to feel the effects.
5. Spend more time with people who make you happy.
This could be anyone: significant others, children, family, friends, or pets. Or, if you’re an introvert, it could also be yourself. If, at any moment, you felt like someone brought you down, make up for it by having conversations with people who build you up. This will help you release pent-up stress and have an easier night.
