For some hitting the hay comes easy. For others it becomes a struggle night after night. Here are some ideas on how to get to bed easier.
From the time we are babies the experts preach bedtime routines. This doesn’t change as we get older – I think we just quit listening as closely.
Enjoy Mario, He’s pretty funny and has some good things to add to your routine!
Routines help us adjust to our activities of daily living so we can trigger physical responses without too much thought. Think about how you respond to a favorite song, a smell, or your drive to work automatically. Creating a bedtime routine can work wonders for those trying to get enough sleep on a consistent basis.
Here are some ideas:
- Dim the lights around the house
- Play restful / soft music – music effects our heart rates – think group x class – that’s why they keep the tunes pumping. Not what you want at bedtime. Pick something that soothes you and slows you down.
- Light candles
- Use a calming scent – lavender, chamomile, etc – in linen sprays, candles, or sachets
- Take a warm bath
- Read
- TURN OFF THE TV & COMPUTERS – the screens are actually moving in ways your eyes and brains have to keep up with. So even when we may feel it is unwinding us, too close to bedtime it keeps our brains working hard making it harder to transition to sleep.
- Drink calming or herbal teas
- Invite your family to participate in the routine by reading together, sharing quiet stories about the day, or just being quiet
- Practice yoga or other breathing / stretching activity
Whatever you choose to do use the same routine each day – creating a pattern of your behavior allows the body to become more in tune to it. This allows the body and brain to shift into the pattern easier. If you want to be able to shift into sleep easier try using the same music, smells, and activity routines each night to create a pattern for your bedtime.
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