A regular morning routine can actually help you get a better nights sleep!
Routines are a very important thing, especially during times like these. Most people have a general routine they follow, which involves drinking coffee, going to work, hitting the gym, and binge watching Netflix.
These routines were upended during the COVID-19 lockdown, and now that things are opening up slowly, many of us are probably struggling to get back into any kind of normalcy. So, how do you get into a routine when you’ve done nothing but veg out on the couch for weeks?
It all starts in the morning.
The human body follows a natural circadian rhythm, which designates when we fall asleep, how long we stay asleep, and when we wake up. If you listen to your body, it will tell you what it needs. That being said, the best way you can support this is by creating a morning routine that relaxes you, and wakes you up slowly. Here is a short checklist of things you should do when you wake up every morning.
Do them in order, and keep up the habit for 33 days. You will find that you have a much easier time falling asleep when you know exactly what to expect in the morning.
Drink 8 oz of water. Keep a glass or decanter by your bed and drink room temperature water as soon as you wake up. It will jump start your metabolism, and get your digestive system going.
Open the curtains. Hopefully your bed is near a window, because opening the curtains is the best way to remind yourself that it’s morning. But after the light is shining in, stay in bed, or get back in bed. Allow yourself a few moments of mindfulness about the coming day.
READ MORE: Having Trouble Sleeping? Five All Natural Sleeping Aids
Stretch. I can’t stress enough how you should stretch every morning. You can do a few simple stretches in bed, or get out of bed and do a full on stretching session. Either way, the goal is to get in tune with your body.
Make your bed. Making your bed is one of the most productive things you can do in the morning, and it sets the stage for your entire day. Doing this one small act will make you feel accomplished, and ready to take on other tasks in an organized way.
Leave your phone on airplane mode. You should definitely sleep with your phone in airplane mode, and keep it that way as long as possible. If you can get through breakfast without checking the news or jumping into work fires, even better!
Mornings should be times for self-reflection and relaxation. Creating a morning routine that supports your mental health will have a lasting effect on all your days, and make it much easier to fall asleep at night.