I love waking up in the morning refreshed and in a good mood. It makes a huge difference in my day if I get a good night’s sleep. When I sleep well, I can easily wake up at 5 am ready to start my day in a positive frame of mind. I feel optimistic, cheerful, ready to tackle the tasks on my to-do list, and totally up to the challenges of the day.
Lately, I’ve had trouble waking up early in the morning. I felt like I didn’t get enough sleep, I was moody and sluggish. I felt worn out and unmotivated. I didn’t like it. I didn’t like myself.
So out of my own curiosity, I did a bit of research for some tips about sleeping well that I didn’t already know and tried them out to see if they made a difference.
These are the things that help me get better sleep and wake up easily in the morning:
– The most important thing I do is go to bed at 10 pm. This one helps me the most. I have to wake up at 5 am every day and I know I need at least 7 hours of sleep, so I try to fall asleep by 10 pm. I do that by going to bed early and I don’t wait until I feel sleepy. If I get my 7 hours of sleep, I wake up without difficulty.
– I follow a nighttime routine: I tidy up my kitchen so that I wake up to a clean and inviting space, plan for my breakfast, lay out my clothes, take a shower, brush my teeth, set my alarm, and read a book. When I do the same routine over and over again, my body knows that I am ready for sleep every night.
– I don’t eat anything after 7 pm. Sometimes, an apple, an orange, or just Greek yogurt, but usually I don’t eat much at dinner.
– I avoid the bright blue light of the computer after 8 pm. I prefer reading a book – it really makes my eyes tired and helps me fall asleep faster.
– I change my bedsheets often. Clean sheets entice me to bed earlier; who doesn’t love the feeling and the smell of fresh, clean sheets?
– I keep the room a little colder than I would like it to be.
– I try to do some kind of exercise every day; I either use the 7-minute-workout app, or I take a long walk.
– Right after I close my eyes before I fall asleep, I think about a few things that happened that day which I am grateful for. I know I should write them down, but I just don’t like to write in bed. I always, always fall asleep feeling grateful, content, at peace with myself, and smiling back to a nice memory.
Related reading: Rise and Shine-Healthy Morning Habits For a Positive Day
If you want, you can try some other things that will definitely help you get better sleep:
- Get ready for the next day: write down a quick to-do list, prepare your breakfast and lunch, and lay out your clothes, so you don’t have to worry about that when you go to bed.
- Spend some quality time with your friends or with your partner. Laughter is a great way to relieve stress and it’s essential for your soul.
- Keep your bedroom dark.
- Share the things you are grateful for with your partner. It will make you both feel a little happier.
- Practice meditation – it’s an extremely relaxing way to end your day.
- Avoid alcohol late in the evening and have a light meal.
- Don’t exercise too late at night; don’t run for an hour before you go to sleep; if you have to, then keep your exercise light or moderate. Or even better, try some gentle yoga stretches or a yoga bedtime routine.
- Get your electronics out of your bedroom so you can have a restful night’s sleep.
- Take a long hot bubble bath; use some lavender oil and play your favorite music in the background. Close your eyes, relax, and smile.
- Drink a warm beverage, like milk, chamomile tea, ginger tea, peppermint tea, or any herbal tea.
- Stop thinking about your to-do list, your coworkers, or your boss. Instead, think about three things you are grateful for.
- Avoid starting any argument before you go to sleep and don’t go to bed angry with your partner.
- Go outside and get some sun during the day. Try to spend at least 30 minutes in the sun every day. The sunlight helps you get your vitamin D and it improves your mood.
- Invest in a good mattress.
- Listen to some relaxing music.
Do something good for yourself and end your day on a positive note. It will lower your stress level, relieve any tension, help you unwind, and prepare you for a brighter tomorrow.
What is your evening routine? Do you have any sleep rituals? Let me know in the comments below!
For more tools and resources on happiness and productivity check out my Resources page.
I felt relaxed just reading this Ana! All great tips. I love waking up early and refreshed too. I find I am more motivated and focused.
Thank you, Julie! I’m glad you like it! 🙂
Sometimes it´s difficult to stop thinking about my to-do list for the next day.
What help me are: running, reading, a glass of red wine:)
That’s so true, Hanka! A glass of wine can do wonders! 🙂
I don’t eat or drink after a certain time so I don’t wake up to use the bathroom in the middle of the night.
Love these tips! It’s sooo hard not to think about your to do list at night! I love drinking warm tea as well, I’m not sure if the tea is relaxing or just the act of feeling settled down as I drink it is a relief, haha.
I think it’s both, Leighann. Whatever works for you! 🙂
Great tips! I love clean sheets and I always sleep better with fresh bedding!
-Elizabeth
confidentlyelegant.com
These are great tips! This is exactly the sort of thing so many people need to read…
Thanks for stopping by!
These are some really great tips. I shared it on my facebook page so that I can go back to it whenever I need it again
Great ideas – it’s funny, I’ve seen almost all of these before but yet when I see they’ve worked for someone else that’s a real person, lol, I want to make a better effort to try! Lol
They really work, Megan! Try some of them and let me know what works best for you.
Ok, first of all, I LOVE sleep (who doesn’t, right? haha) and I am a creature of habit. I love my routine! I do, however, plead guilty because I often go to bed at irregular times and then sometimes getting up in the morning is more of a torture than joy. Your tips are simple yet super helpful. I will definitely try to switch screen time to book time ASAP!
xox Nadia
http://www.mielandmint.com
Thank you for your kind words, Nadia. I’m glad you find my tips useful. 🙂
These are great! I’m awful at getting to bed early because after my toddler goes to sleep, my husband gets home at 830, and our house is a free for all lol. Great tips!
That’s a very good reason to stay up, Breeanna! Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
I need to get into a better routine. Great tips!
Wonderful tips! Sometimes having a consistent routine is all it takes!
These are great! I’m terrible about screen time in the evenings. I really need to cut back. I agree on the sheets though! Fresh sheets always make it better!
It’s true! Fresh sheets always make me want to go to bed early. 🙂
I definitely need to incorporate some of these into my nightly routine. Most often I get so caught up in work that it’s 10 pm before I notice, then I go to bed and all I can do is think of the things I need to do the next day. UG! Thanks for sharing these tips and what’s worked for you, I need to get on a schedule!
That’s so true, Nikki! Sometimes, it happens to me too. I go to bed and I keep thinking about my to do list. Writing down a quick to-do list for the next day helps me get a better sleep.
This made me want to do all these things. A lavender bath and tea and reading sound so great. I like to have a cup of tea, do some yoga, and read a little bit before bed.
Sounds like a perfect bedtime routine! Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
Wonderful! Chamomile tea with a bit of honey is my routine, and yes to reading! Thanks for all the reminders.
Thanks for stopping by! I’m glad you like it. 🙂