Why You Want a Nighttime Routine
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Every Thursday, I share one action, habit, or project you may want to undertake in order to improve your health, happiness, and sense of well-being.
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PROJECT OF THE WEEK
Isn't it amazing how we feel like we can DO ANYTHING after a good night's sleep!
Yet, after a just one sleepless night, even the smallest tasks can feel overwhelming.
So why is it so hard to get a good night's rest?
If you are like me, you may be your worst enemy.
Getting Started
Decision Fatigue is a real thing. There are only so many smart decisions you can make in one day.
It's 8:00 p.m. and you have finally finished for the day and the kids are in bed - can you really expect your brain to choose a quiet book and then lights out over TikTok or Netflix?
Our bodies crave a consistent sleep schedule. Going to bed and waking up at the same time is key.
The best way to support having a consistent sleep schedule is to have a consistent Night Time Routine.
This will allow your brain to go on autopilot.
What is your ideal Night Time Routine?
Everyone is different. There is no right or wrong.
Below are a few questions you may want to ask yourself:
Am I a night person or morning person? This should help you determine what is best for you to do in the evening, verse the morning. As a morning person, I prefer to wash water bottles and pack lunches in the morning. If I was a night person, I would add this to my Night Time Routine, so that I could sleep later.
The last time I took a long vacation, about how many hours of sleep did I get each night? We need between 7 and 9 hours of sleep each night. It's helpful to know your individual need, so that you can figure out when you have to go to bed in order to achieve this. You may also need to add in a buffer, if you take a while to fall asleep or often wake up in the middle of the night. For example, I aim to be in bed for 9 hours, knowing I need about 8 hours a night.
What is the best way for me to wind down?
Take a few minutes to bullet point out a schedule:
Below is our family’s Night Time Routine:
6:45PM - 7:00PM - Clean-up/Close-up the downstairs. Get water for bed.
7:00PM - 7:10PM - Brush Teeth
7:10PM - 7:30PM - Daughter’s Bath Time
7:30PM - 7:40PM - Pajamas
7:40PM - 8:00PM - Read to Daughter
8:00PM - Daughter’s Light Out
8:00PM - 8:15PM - Check calendar for the next day and set alarms on my phone
8:15PM - 9:00PM - Tech Free Me Time.
Yup, I said tech free. This can mean reading, journaling, writing notes to mail to friends and family. This does not mean TikTok, one more episode of GOTs, or planning your family vacation.
9:00PM Lights Out
Over time, you will likely find yourself looking forward to your Night Time Routine and the Me Time you can consistently count on!
Sleep Tight!
Ready to Get Started?
If you feel excited about implementing this strategy and want some additional accountability and support to get started, the It’s All in the Planning Starter Pak was designed for you!
A Note from Happy Spaces
The goal is to add value to your life. If you think this project will add value:
Estimate how long you think it will take. I would recommend doubling the time you estimate.
Look at your calendar over the next week and pick a date and time to get started.
Make an appointment on your calendar for the estimated time.
If you estimate that completing this project will take longer than one hour, I recommend doing it over multiple days. This will support you in getting started!
Prior to starting this project, take a few minutes to make a step-by-step list of EVERY action you need to take to complete this project.
It's not all or nothing. You can choose to implement only the parts of this project that add value to your life.
An Accountability Partner can be a great support in following through on your goals and commitments.
We understand how challenging it can be to implement new habits and systems. For additional support please go to HappySpacesBySarah.com.
Creating a life you don't need a vacation from! ®
Sincerely,
Sarah Weingarten
Meet Sarah
Growing up as the oldest of nine siblings in Upstate New York, I learned to use organization to create sanity among the chaos. Today, I work together with individuals, families, and small businesses to create habits, systems, and spaces that support their needs, goals, and dreams. Clients often refer to our work together as "life-changing" and "better than decades of therapy". What I love most about my work is the lasting impact it has on real people's lives. Nothing makes me happier than hearing the many success stories of clients I have worked with.