The Edge Life Blog

2 min read

Building a Healthy Nighttime Routine

We all know how important a good morning routine is for your health and productivity. But equally as important, is a good healthy night routine. After a long day, the last thing you may want to do is commit to a routine. Everyone just wants to relax when they get home, but there are so many important benefits of a healthy nighttime routine, including:

A better night’s sleep
A smoother morning that will lead to more productivity
More energy and a sharper brain throughout the next day

Here are some healthy habits we recommend:
Cook dinner when you get home. Cooking a healthy meal after a long day of work or being out and about is a great way to help yourself relax and fuel your body with nutritious foods.
Read for at least ten minutes. Reading at night can help your body unwind and isn't as harsh on your eyes before you go to bed.
Set an alarm for the time you want to start getting ready to go to bed. This will ensure that you have enough time before actually laying down to do your nightly hygiene routine, such as brushing your teeth and washing your face.
Tidy up. Take time to put things away or clean things you've used during the day. It will make your space feel neater, and waking up to a cleaner home will make you feel more organized and ready for the day.
Take a nightcap. Studies have shown booze may help you sleep, but it actually robs you of good-quality sleep. So rather than have a glass of wine, have a cup of tea with lemon or some water.
Make a to-do list for the next day. This will allow you to get everything you may be thinking about down on paper and will help you prioritize for the next day .
Stretch and/or meditate. If you struggle to fall asleep, stretching may help you fall asleep more quickly. It can also improve blood flow and relieve muscle tension — both of which aid in muscle recovery and sleep quality. Meditating can also help relax the mind and get you in the right state of mind for sleep. The more you can get your body to relax before sleep, the more effective your sleep will be.

There you have it! It may seem like a lot, but most of them only take 5 to 10 minutes each. As with any routine, it takes repetition and dedication. But sooner or later you will reap the rewards of making that extra effort for your mental and physical health.