Rituals and Habits

Is it hard for you to get out of bed every morning? Are you out of energy without even starting your day? I have felt that many times, even when my diet is closely monitored, according to my work requirements.

If you create a new night-time routine for yourself, you will see the benefits within days.  You will feel more relaxed when it comes time to rest, and you will feel energized and excited for the next day.  How you end your previous day is a perfect indicator of how you will start your next one, so start it out on the right side of the bed!

 

When you start fresh with a brand new night-time routine, you will immediately benefit your life and see your attitude and energy improve immensely.

 

Make a schedule for the evening routine, a plan that doesn't feel like a school; it's your calendar. 

 

So how do we follow this routine? I call it ‘night yoga’ to activate my parasympathetic nervous system.

As Seneca said, “Take some of your own time for yourself too.” That’s exactly what you will have when you create a relaxing and positive night routine for yourself.

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Many articles talk about incredible evening routines. Just like morning routines, they have great benefits. Today I will share with you might night routine in hopes of inspiring you to create your own beneficial way to wind down at the end of the day.

 

These are the four top things I do in my evening routine to be top performers.

1. Preparing my Gym Bag

 

I look at my calendar to check my plan for tomorrow and make a game plan accordingly. I peel out three slices of lemon, adding them to two glasses of water for the following day, and cover them with coasters. One of these cups is for a green tea with my journal. I keep two extra glasses for coffee and a delicious drink of apple cider vinegar to sip with breathwork in the morning.

 

I don't want to be bothered the next day with the batteries for all my technology, putting them all to charge overnight. I need the earphones fully charged for my morning workout because of the songs at the gym SHUCK!!

 

I even put the protein powder in the shaker to not open the shelf in the kitchen to make noise. Although I live alone, I care about my neighbors. I zip up my gym bag and move to my room. Now that everything is prepared for tomorrow, it's time to have a good sleep. 

Preparing the night before helps save my brain energy for essential tasks in the morning.

Source- www.istockphoto.com/pl/zdjęcie

2. Red Light Therapy and Journaling

Firstly, I put my phone on the side of another room or outside the apartment. We all know we shouldn't give blue light to our eyes before going to bed as it blocks the hormone called melatonin which makes you sleepy. But we still end up scrolling 10 km down and ending up watching hundreds of cute dog videos.

 

I am on screens for the entire day, so I use Red Light therapy to fix my sleep. This emits red light wavelengths (not the red light bulb you see in hookah bars) and stimulates melatonin production. It also has other incredible health benefits, which I discuss in my course, which talks about quitting smoking and getting your health back.

 

Now that you have kept your phone away, it's the best time to journal with red light therapy. Write about anything: like the things you did, your goals, any resentment or pain, the thoughts you had. Make a plan for tomorrow. What are the most important things to be done?

 

I usually follow a pattern that includes one thing I am grateful for, my top achievement, and any resentment or pain, if there is any, that day. There is also time for writing my thoughts or anything I need to write about that day. I wrote this blog while journaling, staring directly into the red-light wavelengths coming from the device. 

3. Pilot Flying the Route, the Day Before

 

A person once asked a pilot, “don't you feel scared of flying and landing? You carry a big responsibility of making sure people reach safely; they trust you. How do you do it?”

 

The Pilot replied with a smile, “I already flew in my mind a day before. I visualized the entire journey using unseen energy.”

 

Visualization eases the process of achieving the goals. Before starting the self-help platform 'Rituals and Habits,' I visualized the entire journey, every night going to bed, even the tiny details.

 

I use visualization when preparing to go to bed. I plan my next day and think about all the small details, whether to go without salt or sugar and even what exercises I will complete at the gym.

4. Comfy like Silk 

Now that everything is in its place—the appropriate amount of water consumed, the right clothes on (though I sleep naked)—I put some drops of lavender oil on my pillow and around the room. It provides a comfortable environment which is essential for good sleep.

 

I have a minimalist approach to my living space.  I only keep the essentials in my room and apartment, which provides a safe and open environment.

 

The environment is comfortable. I light a candle, and it's time to go to Mars. I sit with my back straight against the wall and meditate. I think about the goals I want to achieve: relationships, finances, health, diet, family, and friends.

 

Smells can be a powerful tool. I use lavender, which helps take me to a zone and provides calm and relaxation. But feel free to use any smell that makes you feel better. I usually do this for around 30 minutes before I slowly snug into my blanket. Then, I am off to sleep for a successful morning. By 11:30, I am usually asleep.

source-www.istockphoto.com/pl/zdjęcie/night-interior-of-bedroom

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I usually wake up by 6:30. That means I go to sleep by 11:00, and probably by 11:30, I am actually asleep. My evening routine starts 1-2 hours before, depending on my work schedule and how busy the day had been.

 

Now, do I continually sleep by 11:30? No. Do I always wake up at 6:30? No. But I'm doing it four times a week, and it works exceptionally well for me.

 

I'm calmer, more organized, more focused, productive, happier, and less stressed out. I highly suggest an evening routine. Keep changing and adding new things on the way, and you will find your perfect routine to set yourself up for the next day!

Conclusion

 

Whether it's a morning or evening routine, they are essential for life to be in order. These ways can help you discover new zones and make your life more comfortable and happier.

 

The morning routine acts as a motivational call for the day, whereas the evening routine can calm you down and prepare you for the next day. The evening routine optimizes your circadian rhythm, thus Improving the quality of your sleep.

 

Choose different routines, try them, and see what works the best for you. Hopefully, through sharing my nightly routine, I gave you a few ideas for where to start!

By SALIL ARORA 

JUNE 2021