do i need to have a bedtime routine?

Last week, I wrote about the importance of the morning routine. Well, I couldn't talk about a morning routine without at least mentioning a bedtime routine too! A bedtime routine can be the difference between an hour tossing & turning trying to get to sleep or sailing straight into sweet dreams.

It's the end of the day, you're tired and sometimes all you can manage to do is brush your teeth and go to bed. And sometimes, that's all I can manage to do. I think the night time routine can be trickier because it's closing out the day instead of beginning it. It's about winding down and reflection instead of energetic forward movement. It focuses on rest and relaxation - winding down the body and mind.

Honestly, at the end of the day, it's sometimes difficult for me to follow a routine. And admittedly, I'm not perfect at it. But on most nights, I try to give myself a little more of a routine that I built using habit stacking (see morning routine blog). Once I start the routine with taking the dog out, everything else follows pretty naturally and quickly. Seriously, my whole evening routine is probably about a third of the time that it takes for my morning routine.

Anyway, here is my short and sweet list from start to finish. Also, please note that length of time can vary from night to night.

Night Dog Duties

Don't worry, I already fed her earlier in the night! She goes out once more quickly to pee before bedtime. This takes maybe five minutes and I always like to do it before taking care of everything else before getting into bed. And usually, I'm already in my pajamas when I take her out! Actually, I probably change into my pajamas almost first thing when I get home most nights.

Night Time Tea

I LOVE my tea. I switch up between Celestial Seasonings Sleepytime and Yogi Bedtime Tea. Tea always relaxes me and I love breathing in the aroma. I recently bought a lavender plant and have started playing around with making my own tea. Lavender is sleep-inducing, stress relieving and an all-around relaxing drink. I take a small amount of dried lavender buds and put them in a mesh tea ball, and steep in some hot water. Then mix in honey or another sweetener. It's delicious!

My love, lavender

Skin Care

I wash my face and remove my makeup every night with Cetaphil. It's gentle, easy and quick. Sticking with my love of lavender, I then use this amazing face spray from Heartspring. Then I apply my Clinique skin care of eye cream and moisturizer and I'm done! I love my skin care routine because of how simple and quick it is. When it comes to skin care, the more simple, the better!

Flossing & Brushing Teeth

I went to the dentist last November and I had two cavities - one on the top and one on the bottom, same side! You are talking to someone that hasn't had a cavity in probably 10 years. This was quite a shock but I couldn't help wondering if all of the alcohol had really done a number on my teeth. I'm sure it didn't help! At that appointment, the dentist stressed how important flossing is for gut health, especially later in life. I figure it's time that I floss at least once a day. I chose to put it in my bedtime routine because I feel like I have a little more time at the end of the day. I used to think it was such a pain. Now, I love flossing - it's become one of my favorite adult activities 😂 😂

Journaling and Meditation

As I mentioned in last week's blog, I'd love to be able to incorporate this into my morning routine, but time just doesn't permit. Instead, I've incorporated it into my bedtime routine and honestly I couldn't be happier about it. It's a great way to end my day. I get to reflect on the day's events, emotions and conversations (both with myself and with others). Usually I start with getting an affirmation of the day from Alexa. I journal on that affirmation for 5-10 minutes, and then put on a guided meditation. Sometimes I fall asleep during the meditation and sometimes I don't. Either way is fine with me because I feel like you benefit no matter what.

Meditation is such an important aspect for me. I feel like I can tell the next day when I miss it. I don't feel as centered or focused. I'm really thankful that I can find the 5-20 minutes to meditate most days. If you are a beginner or need a good guided meditation app, I like Headspace.

Answer & Tips

I know it can be tough, but I think a bedtime routine is just as important as a morning routine. The bedtime routine has become so important to me because when I was drinking, I didn't have one. I would usually drink until I passed out - often not even washing my face or brushing my teeth before I slept. I look at my bedtime routine as self care now. It completes and closes my day. I've found that a bedtime routine usually helps me get to sleep faster too.

If you're having trouble putting a bedtime routine in place, I used something similar to habit stacking, something I call "The Wind Down." The Wind Down helps prepare for sleep by conditioning the mind and body to begin winding down as soon as you begin doing your bedtime routine. Kind of like Pavlov's dog. Once you start doing these habits consistently, the subconscious starts preparing your mind and body for bedtime.

Well, those are my tips for the vital bedtime routine. I noticed that once I put something in place, I felt in the most basic way, like an adult. Like I was taking care of myself and relaxing into each night through this self care. I honestly don't know how I made it through 33 years of my life without a routine in place. I feel more relaxed and serene when I do my bedtime routine, and I know you will too! Let me know how it's going or where you are at with your bedtime routine!