Night Time Routine for Success: The Ultimate Guide
Start your path to living the life of your dreams. Elevate your night time routine for success with this ultimate guide for 2021.
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This night time routine for success can be a life changer for you. Why not try it now?
Having spent the majority of your day previously out of the house can be pretty disorienting what to do at home and kill some time. Some use their free time to exercise, read a book, or even pamper themselves by taking a warm bath.
There’s also been a shift from consumers spending money on makeup to spending it on skincare items. Others would buy more furniture or decor to make their home more “homey.”
These are all forms of self-care. If you haven’t found your own state of self-care or are looking for tips to improve it, then you’re looking at the right article.
Habit vs. Routine: What’s the difference?
It’s pretty common to interchangeably use the terms ‘habit’ and ‘routine,’ but do we really know the difference between the two? Learner’s Dictionary describes ‘habit’ as something that a person often does in a regular or repeated way. Routine, however, is a regular way of doing things in particular. In conclusion, a routine is a set of habits that a person has developed and scheduled. Now, it’s time to take note of your habits and see if you’re doing them in a routine fashion.
Elon Musk, Bill Gates, Oprah Winfrey–these are a few of some successful people who have their own routine that they consistently follow. They recognize the importance of time management and improving efficiency and productivity in their day-to-day lives. One of the things common between the three is that they always make sure that they have enough time to sleep, which wouldn’t be difficult if you have a schedule you stick to.
It’s essential to be purposeful about your routines because this creates high achievers, and it immediately puts our brains into autopilot.
Having a routine creates high achievers. It’s essential to be purposeful about your routine. This enables our brains to be on autopilot.
Create a routine that makes sense to you, that you know will improve your way of living. It gives more meaning to our lives, and it keeps us driven and motivated.
Some may be turned off by the thought of having a routine and prefer spontaneity because they fear that sticking to a routine will cause burnout or boredom in the long run. The idea of spontaneity can be exciting, but having a routine can definitely boost your productivity and create a practice of better time management and efficiency.
Morning vs. Evening Routines: Is one more important than the other?
Although both are equally important and increase the chance of more productivity, more thought should be put into evening routines since this is the time we spend before we go to sleep.
Sleep is necessary for maintaining both our physical and mental health. When we lack sleep the night before, it dramatically affects our mood the following day. Having enough sleep also increases our focus and ability to accomplish tasks.
Benefits of an evening routine
There are many advantages of having a night time routine for success. Here’s why you should start incorporating it into your life.
It improves the quality of your sleep.
Have you ever had restless nights? It can be absolutely frustrating when this happens, and you lose precious time that you can spend sleeping. Having a routine keeps you in check. You’re able to track the things you do to go to bed without having to worry or overthink any unfinished tasks you have.
You will have a pleasant morning the following day.
One of the best benefits of an evening routine is that waking up from a good slumber can greatly affect your mood the following day. You’re more eager and excited to start your day. This boosts your chance for productivity at a much higher rate.
You have less risk of developing many health problems.
Sleeping lowers your blood pressure, and it gives your heart some time to rest. Having fewer hours of sleep increases your blood pressure, so having a routine before bedtime can decrease any stress you may encounter in which you can avoid sleeping incredibly late.
It improves the sharpness of your brain.
Having a schedule of things to do before you sleep makes your brain think faster. When this is being done consistently, our brains immediately know what to do, decreasing overthinking and unwanted stress. It keeps us organized, and we feel much more confident.
Think of creating a list of things to pack on your trip; you won’t have any thoughts of “Did I forget something?” because, through the help of your list, you’re more confident of what you were able to pack.
How to have a productive night routine: Tips to help you create the ultimate evening routine for yourself
“What should my night routine be?” One may ask. Well, reader, you’re in luck. Keep on reading, and soon enough, you’ll possess the key that most successful people have.
It’s vital to assess your current routine–is it working for you? Are you able to do it consistently? Having a routine should decrease your stress levels and not the other way around. Reflect on your habits and compare them. Which ones allow you to be more productive, and which ones need some room for improvement?
Do you want to know the secret to having a night time routine for success? Actually, there is NO secret. There is no standard formula in having a successful night routine.
Nobody’s routine is perfect, and there’s no “standard” since it’s different for everyone. Tailor the routine to your own needs and situation. A person who has fewer work hours can have a longer night routine than a person who works until very late in the evening.
Copying someone else’s routine may not bring out the best in you. Taking some inspiration from someone else can be deemed valuable if you know that it will also enhance your way of living.
You should decide what you need.
The beauty of making your own night time routine is that it’s personal to you. You won’t spend precious time asking yourself, “What should my night routine be?”. Enjoying your night routine is what will make you stick to it and be able to do it in a consistent manner.
You may see the rituals in the section “The Ultimate Night Routine” for some inspiration.
Set an earlier, non-negotiable bedtime.
If you really want your routine to work and actually have a decent sleep, you must have a proper sleeping schedule. Humans have a circadian rhythm. This is the body clock that alerts us when we should be sleeping. It’s probably why we feel sleepy at certain hours of the day since we’re used to being asleep during that period.
It’s vital to fix our body clock to prevent us from sleeping at different times at night. It may appear challenging at first, but with as time goes on, you’ll be able to do it flawlessly.
Make cues that work for you.
What are some things that trigger you to be productive? Create a list of it. Maybe listening to music increases your productivity and chance to accomplish your tasks? This is something that is personal and varies from person to person.
Avoid randomness.
This can lead to procrastination on your next task. Having downtime during your routine can cause a delay and may lead to the possibility of pushing back the other items in your schedule, causing a disruption.
Jogging, in theory, may seem productive, but if it won’t help you in any way, then it’s best to just not include it in your routine. Do what works best for you.
Have a wind-down activity.
These activities should be able to soothe and calm you. Releasing tension is good for your body and soul. What are some things that keep your head cool?
Completing a crossword puzzle could be therapeutic for you and instill tranquility within your mind. Having a calm perspective can also easily ooze you into some good sleep.
Chill out even if you miss a day.
Remember, don’t be too hard on yourself. They say it takes 30 days to make a habit, what more with a routine? Don’t punish yourself up if you forget, and just go on about your day. The thing is, nobody’s going to judge you for it, so why should you?
Nobody is consistent with their routine from the get-go, especially since prior to this change, you’ve already developed your own set of habits, so it will take a while to break it. Have some patience with yourself. This isn’t a race; instead, it’s a journey to change your life for the better.
Having a night time routine for success doesn’t mean that everything has to go smoothly all the time.
Plan your next morning.
Planning ahead saves time and choice fatigue. Steve Jobs was fond of wearing the same outfit every day because it decreases thinking time so he can spend it on other important stuff. The same goes for having a set plan the next day. This helps us be more organized and focused on our goals.
I’m sure Steve Jobs was once like you. Maybe he even searched online on how to have a night time routine for success. Remember, we all have to start somewhere.
Do you remember having a field trip back in elementary that made you very excited? You’d plan the night before so that everything’s ready when you wake up the next day to avoid being late for the bus? This is essentially the same thing, but of course, we’re all adults now.
Track your progress.
It’s inevitable that we’ll have dull moments or feelings of boredom. One way to keep you motivated with your routine is to track it! Have a sheet of paper, a notebook, or use a computer program or an app on your phone to track your daily progress. Some examples of tracking mobile apps are ClickUp, Way of Life, and Toodledo.
Sometimes, we may feel like we’re not doing anything and that we’ve hit a plateau. Still, if you can have a routine tracker, you can see your progress, whether it’s a small or a huge one.
We may not notice it, but it’s a good feeling to give yourself recognition for the little things. It’s time that you should give yourself a pat on the back for this one.
Curb bad habits.
We all have them, let’s face it. It’s nothing to be ashamed of, but having an awareness of it’s key to avoiding it or preventing it from becoming worse. It’s not easy to break it since bad habits are still habits.
One simple way of curbing bad habits is to have an app on your phone that tracks how long it’s been since you stopped. Having it on your phone makes it easy and accessible for you. Habitshare, Streaks, and Tally are some well-known habit trackers that you can choose from!
Create rituals that help promote sleep.
If you’re a night owl, sleeping early at night is hard since your brain is much more active during the evening. What are some cues that trigger you to feel sleepy? What exactly should you do at night?
For example, doing your skincare at night can signal you that it’s time for your rest. Another example is meditating or sleeping with some calming music. These rituals may not work for everyone, but if it works for you, stick to it.
The Ultimate Evening Routine Checklist: Evening Routine Examples To Help You Sleep
This checklist provides an array of ideas that can help with setting up your night time routine for success. Note that you aren’t required to do everything but, pick which works best for you!
Gentle physical activity
You don’t have to run a marathon or go boxing, the keyword is gentle. Engaging in activities that are stimulating enough but not too tiring can help soothe your mind.
Stretch
Stretching should probably be at the top of your evening routine checklist. Doing so can give you a relaxed feeling afterward. Another option is to do some light yoga to ease your senses.
Take a walk
Have light walks and avoid doing any strenuous exercises before you sleep because this increases your body temperature. Try to have your walk at least 90 minutes before your bedtime.
Decompress your spine
Stretching your body is one way to do this. This not only decreases the pressure in your spine but also improves your posture overall.
Tai Chi or Qigong
These ancient techniques can help improve your mood and even your aerobic capability.
Ensure you have and follow a hygiene ritual
Don’t you feel good when you’re nice and squeaky clean before heading to bed? It’s one of the best feelings in the world.
Ditch alcohol or excess food
There are some food and drinks that make you stay awake for longer. Try to avoid consuming this so that you can sleep better.
Clean your face and brush your teeth
It’s essential to look after your hygiene. Remember to do these before sleeping so that it wouldn’t disrupt your sleep hours when you suddenly catch yourself waking up in the middle of the night to do it.
Look after your skin
Try to incorporate a skincare routine if you haven’t yet.
Time for a bath
Baths are extremely relaxing and give a good feeling afterward.
Clear your head and wind your brain down
Having a clear mind before bedtime increases the chance of a peaceful sleep.
Meditate
Meditation helps clear your mind and can help you fall asleep faster.
Breathe deeply
Doing this brings calmness to your senses. It also decreases any feelings of anxiety and lowers blood pressure.
Express gratitude to yourself and the people you love
Remember to give yourself the love that you deserve. Doing this will improve the relationship you have between yourself and with others.
Remind your loved ones you appreciate them. Having good relations with them leads to a joyful life and takes away any unnecessary stress.
Visualize good things happening tomorrow
Manifesting positive vibes can bring you a sense of excitement or joy for the following day.
Unplug: Put your electronic devices away and fade to black
This removes the temptation that can make you distracted from your sleep.
Address anything that worries you
Prepare your outfit for the next day. Check the bathroom, kitchen, and other parts of your living space for tidiness.
Tire your eyes out: Read between 20 and 60 minutes
Reading is a great way to relax your muscles.
What to read
Reading a short chapter from your favorite book can calm your senses.
What not to read
Avoid reading any articles with heavy topics that can bring your mood down. Doing so before bedtime may lead to emotional distress and can cause a delay in your sleep.
Journal
Write down your biggest aspirations.
What are your goals and dreams in life? Visualize it and list it down to help you keep motivated
Plan for the next day
Check your to-do list and create a new one; Prepare goals
Doodle: Get creative
Some find this activity quite therapeutic. There are some adult coloring books available to purchase for a mindless yet relaxing pastime.
Reflect on the day that ended
What are the things that you enjoyed today? What are the things that needed improvement from today? Write it down and contemplate about it.
Celebrate your wins
Recognizing your achievements is a mood booster. It’s important to feel good about yourself.
Connect with people or animals you love
Humans are social beings. Having an intimate connection with a person or a pet satisfies our soul.
Phone family and friends
Maintain the relationship you have with them
Spend quality time with your loved ones
We’re social beings, so surrounding yourself with the people you love brings elation to your soul.
Make time for intimacy with your partner.
Craving for intimacy is normal and humanlike. This aspect is essential as well as it can relieve stress, so set aside time for it.
Ensure a comfortable sleeping environment
Lower your body temperature
This helps you fall asleep faster, avoid any extreme activities that will raise your body temperature.
Cool sheets
This can help lower your body temperature. It can be relaxing to wrap yourself with some cool sheets like a human burrito.
Proper bed
Is your mattress soft enough where you feel comfortable and can fall fast asleep? Ensure that it’s not too hard where you may find it difficult to get some shut-eye.
Proper pillows
Nothing is more irritating than having a sleepless night due to an uncomfy pillow. Maybe it’s time for you to replace them and find out which one can seduce you to sleep.
Dress comfortably
Avoid wearing tight clothing and wear something loose with soft fabric so that your clothing doesn’t distract you from falling asleep. Some choose to sleep without any clothing at all.
Set yourself for success: How to Stick to Your New Night Routine, So it Sets the Tone for the Next Day
Your night time routine for success should be easy enough for you to follow so that you are more motivated to follow it.
Reduce your decisions
Having many decisions may lead you to choice fatigue and cause even more stress and less time for productivity.
Take care of morning chores
Having a set of tasks ready to be followed decreases procrastination and keeps you more focused.
Reduce temptations that lead to former habits
Steer away from any triggers that could possibly feed your mind into reverting back to your old and unproductive habits
Set a technology cut-off time
With technology advanced nowadays, you can customize your settings so that you wouldn’t be able to open certain apps on your phone at a designated time.
Create reminders
You may use your phone or keep a journal or a board that you can easily see to input your reminders on
Plan for your obstacles
Nobody likes to be placed in a stressful situation, so it’s better to be prepared to handle it so that you’re more confident facing any problems that come at you.
Make it easy to look forward to
Avoid over-the-top or too complex routines if it’s not something that interests you.
Set work boundaries
Sometimes, work can tend to get in the way of our personal lives. Clingy, right? So, it’s important to set some boundaries between the two to avoid any possible burnout.
Utilize a weekend night routine
You can have a different night routine during the weekend. There are instances wherein you have a little more time than your weekday schedule, and you would like some extra pampering time, which we all deserve every now and then.
My night time routine for success: What are the best habits in the night?
I try to keep my nightly routine as simple as possible. I prefer to not follow a complex schedule as this often leads me to procrastinate. So, I had to answer the question, “What are the best habits in the night for me?”. You should ask yourself the same question to start creating your own night routine for success.
With the current situation, I’m at home for the majority of the day, as most of you probably are. For me, that means I’m not as busy as I was before. I have dinner as early as 6:30 pm, and I make sure I finish all of the tasks needed by 7:30 in the evening.
If I can’t tick off all of my tasks on my to-do list, I set aside time for it the following day. That way, I’m not too stressed about it before I head to bed. Going to bed stressed out is a huge no-no.
This is one of the many studies that talk about the relationship between stress and sleep. That means that you would probably benefit from doing the same thing.
I always put my pajamas on to signal my brain that I’m about to end my day. Your sleep clothes should make you feel like a great leader who’s eager to rest after winning a battle.
My trusty water bottle resides on my bedside table because sometimes I wake up at midnight with a cottonmouth. We’ve all been there.
It’s best to keep yourself hydrated. There’s something about drinking water in the middle of the night that’s just so tasty.
I write down a list on the notes app in my phone of the list of things I need to do the next day. It doesn’t have to be descriptive, but just some keywords that’ll trigger my brain to instantly remind me.
I listen to a quick playlist with some relaxing songs to prepare my mind for sleep. Some music with soft tones and a slow beat makes me feel sleepy and eager to fall into a deep sleep.
After I listen to my playlist, I take my nightly supplements–such as melatonin capsules. This is important as our brain naturally produces melatonin, but sometimes it isn’t enough, which is why we have difficult times falling asleep. This capsule helps me feel sleepier.
I then place my gadgets far away from me so that I’m not tempted to instantly grab them and open my social media accounts. This is also another good trick if you want to wake up in the morning on time, place your phone far away in which you would have to get up, so that when your alarm rings, you’re forced to get out of your bed!
I then close my eyes and place a light pillow on top of my eyes. I don’t have a sleeping eye mask with me, but I find that the weight of the pillow pressing against my eyes helps me fall asleep faster.
Ever since I’ve dwindled down my night routine, keeping it as minimal as possible, it has elevated my sleep quality and greatly affected my mood during the following day. I made the mistake of following someone’s evening routine, which ended up causing me even more stress because their lifestyle is completely different from mine.
It seemed ideal for me to have a bath at night and to drink some wine, but my bathroom only has a shower, and I’m not a wine drinker, so it’s bizarre for me to be including this in my routine. The point is, there’s no specific standard formula for success. This isn’t mathematics wherein 2+2 will always equal 4.
You create your own path to success. It’s alright to take inspiration from others. However, you know yourself more than anyone else does. This will help you doubt yourself less and recognize your potential because we all have them. Nobody was born to be a failure. We all have our own list of accomplishments and achievements that we have the right to be proud of.
I hope this article gives you some motivation to brush up on your night routine to maximize your productivity as much as possible!
If you have any concerns, feel free to leave a comment below, and let’s build a safe and helpful community here.
