Night Routines

Perhaps you're like me and love and crave routine but also get bored rather easily and always need something new to enliven you. This is a dichotomy I have experienced most of my life and it is probably why certain things are really easy for me to follow through with, and other things, not so much.

About a year ago, when I was experiencing a really horrible skin condition that lasted about 4 months and would wipe out my energy for seemingly no reason at all, I started to really think about self-care and my health and wellbeing. One of the practices I tried to put in place right away was finding a night routine that I could stick with and work with me. I got a little daily pill box and researched what vitamins and supplements to take, I watched tai chi videos and learned some routines and even made myself a playlist (you know to really show how committed I was!), I bought new pens to motivate myself to write nightly in my journal for reflection, I cleaned out my nightstand, bought some new herbal teas for sleep and relaxation. 

For the first few weeks I really looked forward to my "Settling In" evening routine in which I would do ALL THE THINGS. It would take me a good hour, and you can guess that after a month I stopped doing a few things then eventually gave it all up all together, then a couple weeks later would feel horrible about letting myself fall off the bandwagon then I would begin the cycle (with much vigor!) all over again. But each time I restarted the cycle, I realized I was getting bored so quickly and was just going through the motions. My planned and researched night routine was becoming a chore and when things feel like a chore, well, I get very bored and usually just stop doing it. 

So, I finally figured out what worked best for me and I tell you, I have been sleeping so well! I have been feeling so rested and back to looking forward to my evening routines again. Before, I was trying to do ALL THE THINGS before going to bed, so I had to start my routine at 9 PM and usually would end around 10-10:15. Herbal tea, vitamins, tai chi/stretching, get ready for bed (wash face, teeth, lotion), read/journal/reflect.

Now I pick a few things to do before bed and make sure the next evening I do something different. I don't make it too regimented for myself. What's working for me is changing it up every night so I don't get bored. This week's night routines went a little something like this:

Step 1: Turn off laptop (so not tempted to do random work) and turn down lights in the house. This signals my body that we're going into "quiet mode". I try to do this 30 mins to an hour before going to sleep.

Step 2: Pick a 2-3 from these Self-Care Pillars: Physical, Mental, Emotional. I listed below what I do for each one.

Physical:

• 15 Minutes of Movement (Tai Chi, Slow Yoga, Stretching). I have two songs I play that together is about 15 minutes long.
• Take vitamins (currently taking Magnesium, Lysine, and B12)
• Exfoliate hands and feet - Helps with circulation, my hands and feet have poor circulation and always cold even in the heat of summer
• Lymphatic massage (I pick different areas to focus on)
• Pressure points massage (feet, hands, or scalp/temples)

Mental:

• Read up on something that interested me that day (current news, history, gardening, something I saw on tv, it's very random)
• Read one of the books I have on my nightstand (topics and genres very varied)
• Learn a new French word. Try to remember it in the morning. (Though much to my chagrin, I never do)

Emotional:

• Journal & reflect. Sometimes I read my previous journal entries and see if the feelings and emotions still resonate. 
  

Step 3: Don't overdo it! For me, the reason I got bored and quit was I was trying to do too much. 

I try to do 15 minutes of slow movement and stretching at least every night. I have found some movements that have worked for me, especially with the tightness in my shoulders and upper back. Perhaps I will share some of these movements in a later journal entry. I also try to take my vitamins daily, but sometimes I forget, though consistently do it 5 days out of the week, so not so bad! Taking magnesium supplements has been a big game changer for me as far as quality of sleep, less migraines, and lower cortisol/stress levels in general. 

That's all I have to share for today! I hope this inspires you to maybe try some new things for your evening routines so you can get the best rest possible!

Cover Image: Federico Zandomeneghi, 1841-1917, "Au Lit" 1878