My Health

30 daily routines of healthy, productive people that are easy to adopt

By Laura Berlinsky-Schine | www.theladders.com |image credit: lifehack.org

This week: Night time routines

During the last two weeks we looked at morning and daytime routines respectively. This week we conclude with the last ten routines for the night.

21. Eat dinner.

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but dinner is important, too. If you have trouble finding the time to cook every day, consider making your meals for the week ahead of time over the weekend or investing in meal kits to help you out. Of course, there’s always Seamless, but just like with lunch, it’s healthier and cheaper to do it yourself.

22. Make a to-do list for the next day.

The next day will feel a lot more manageable if you know what’s on your plate. Organize your tasks by creating a to-do list with your priorities, dividing the tasks up into most important, somewhat important and least important categories. Then, review it in the morning.

23. Read.

I don’t know about you, but I just love a good book. I find reading the perfect wind-down activity — better than TV. Maybe you disagree. If you’re not a reader, by all means, skip to the next item. But if you’re like me, and you enjoy reading, make just a few pages of a book, magazine, newspaper or even blog part of your regular nighttime routine.

24. Journal.

Getting your thoughts out on paper can help you make peace with any unresolved uncertainties and conclude the day. Of course, not every day or night goes well, and sometimes, you’ll still be experiencing stress, anxiety, annoyance or sadness over events that happened. But if you make journaling a daily habit, you may find that you’re more able to clear your mind and get to sleep more easily.

25. Write down three good things that happened that day.

Many mental health professionals advise people to write down three good things that went well during the day every day. That’s because many of us focus on the bad things that happen or the anxious thoughts we have, while forgetting the good. Instead of overlooking the positive aspects of the day, make it a practice to remember these good things, however small. This routine can have a real impact on your overall mood and outlook.

26. Straighten up your personal space.

Just like straightening up your workspace, straightening up your personal space is important for your mood and starting off the day on the right foot. When you wake up to a mess, your outlook could be adversely impacted for the whole day. But waking up to an organized space will make you feel more positive about what’s to come. So, do those dirty dishes and put your clothes in the hamper. You’ll be grateful for the forward-thinking tomorrow.

27. Do a hobby you love.

Doing something you really enjoy — whether that’s cooking, gardening, drawing or playing with a pet — will allow you to separate yourself from a long day of work and reinvigorate yourself. At the same time, it will also give you an opportunity to settle down, as well as give you something to look forward to throughout the day.

28. Lay out your clothes for the next day before bed.

When Barack Obama was in office, he famously noted that we only saw him wearing gray or blue suits because “I’m trying to pare down decisions. I don’t want to make decisions about what I’m eating or wearing. Because I have too many other decisions to make.”

Now, we’re not suggesting you commit to a single outfit or type of outfit for every day of the week. But if you decide what you’re going to wear the night before, you’ll have fewer decisions to make first thing in the morning, when you could still be foggy with sleep.

29. Turn off your devices.

Thirty minutes before bedtime, power off your devices. That includes your cell phone, tablet, laptop and anything else that is sure to be a distraction and prevent you from fully settling down during the night.

If you absolutely must keep them on, put them in another room with the sound turned off. (In emergency situations, it’s okay to ignore the cell phone rule, of course. Certain jobs may also require you to be on call.)

30. Go to bed at the same time every day.

Like waking up at the same time every day, you should attempt to establish a regular routine and create better sleep habits and hygiene by setting and sticking to roughly the same bedtime every day. Yes, even on weekends.

Is it really necessary? Actually, yes, especially if you have trouble sleeping. If you get into this routine, you’ll feel more well-rested and improve your mental health at the same time.