Healthy Habits: 4 Ways to Establish a Night Routine to Feel Your Best

It’s no secret that most of us don’t get enough sleep. The majority of us are lucky to get six hours of quality sleep. One of the best things you can do to give yourself high-quality sleep night after night is to create a nighttime routine. Below are four very simple ways to create a nighttime routine and atmosphere that encourages a deep sleep that will have you waking up feeling energized and well-rested.

You have likely heard that your body has an internal clock. However, you may be unaware of just how powerful that internal clock is. Also referred to as your circadian rhythm, maintaining a consistent nighttime internal clock will give you a better quality of sleep that is more consistent. Focusing on creating a nighttime schedule and making yourself stick to it as closely as possible allows you to fall asleep peacefully and wake up feeling well-rested and ready to kick off the day.

Making your bedroom a calm, cozy space is one of the best ways to get a great night’s sleep. Don’t feel guilty about investing in extra-comfortable pillows, a mattress that stays cool or a humidifier that soothes you to sleep. After all, you are a product of your environment and a well-rested person needs a restful environment!

If you’re like many Americans, your nighttime screen routine looks something like this: television on, possibly while your laptop is still open in bed, cell phone charging on your nightstand with the sound still turned on and tablet charging a few feet away. Looking at a screen (or multiple screens) right before bed actually keeps you from falling asleep peacefully and makes you more likely to wake up during the night. Not only do the screens themselves trigger your brain to think it’s time to be mentally active, but the light from the screen alerts your brain that it isn’t time to “power down” and get some rest.

Dental-related issues often go overlooked as contributors to your lack of quality sleep. Not only does tooth grinding, jaw clenching or an unbalanced bite hinder a quality night’s sleep, but these issues may also lead to additional symptoms that exacerbate your lack of sleep. For example, tooth grinding can lead to various levels of jaw pain and can cause migraines, only further preventing a peaceful night of uninterrupted sleep. When it comes to sleep loss to due dental issues, dentists recommend taking action in the form of being proactive before the issue worsens. A custom-made nighttime bite guard, dental crowns and teeth realignment are the initial steps to treating these dental issues that can keep you up at night. Taking care of your skin can also set yourself up for a better sleep. The act of skin care can be a form of self-love and relaxation. Beginning your skin routine will tell your body it is time to unwind and get ready for bed.

These are just a few of the ways you can easily create a beneficial bedtime routine. No matter what elements you choose to add to your nighttime routine, the most important thing you can do is to actually stick to your routine. Remember, changes in sleeping patterns don’t simply happen overnight. It takes time to turn new habits into a full-on routine.