The importance of an evening routine
When I was planning out my blogs for the next few months today’s was always going to be about the importance of having an evening routine. Given the circumstances in which we now find ourselves I think it's even more important than ever.
Even those of us without children – aunties honorary or otherwise – know the importance of a bedtime routine for little ones. All those little signals to the child that the day is drawing to a close. Tidying up, having a bath, cleaning teeth, a story in bed and night prayers.
We set bedtime for our children to ensure that they get enough rest and sleep. This may vary slightly during school holidays. I know my nephew loves movie nights when he comes back downstairs after his shower and everyone snuggles up to watch a movie before a much later night than usual. But this is a treat and an exception.
As adults most of us aren’t very good at setting an evening routine or bedtime for ourselves. I have to admit that although I have a fairly good routine on work nights, during these weeks of lockdown I’ve been neglecting it and I’m really beginning to feel its absence, so this is a good reminder for me too.
The reason I find my evening routine so useful is that it not only prepares me physically for rest and sleep, but also allows me to reflect on my day and reconnect with myself – with my inner wisdom - before I turn out the light and go to sleep.
Here are some suggestions that you might like to consider. See what works and remember that your routine can take as long or be as short as you like.
It’s not about trying to fit even more into your day. Instead try to think of it as using the time at the end of your day wisely. How many of us find the time to scroll endlessly on social media at the end of the day or watch another episode of the latest box set when we know that what we really need is sleep? The trouble is, many of us, me included over these last few weeks, leave going to bed until we’re too tired to rouse ourselves to the effort that it actually involves.
Set a bedtime
If that seems too rigid then set a time by which you should start getting yourself ready for bed. An alert on my phone tells me it’s time to start winding down for bed.
Switch your phone to silent and put it away
If you don’t think you can resist one last scroll of social media if it’s in your bedroom then leave it elsewhere.
Keep a gratitude/happiness journal
You can do this in any journal/notebook but there are lots of five-year line-a-day journals available. I’m now on my second and can honestly say that even on dark and sad days I’ve had something to write that I’ve been grateful for or has made me smile and I know I’m not alone in enjoying reading back over the entries for that day in previous years. Little moments of happiness and gratitude that I’d have completely forgotten if not for that book. It’s a two to three minute habit that brings a lot of joy. In this time we currently find ourselves even though I’m staying home like the government has requested I have far more to write every day than will fit in the few lines available!
If your mind is over busy try a brain dump to get it all out so you can stop thinking about it
The act of writing out everything that is bothering you and playing on your mind means you can stop going over and over it as it's written down. Often as we write solutions come to mind or we realise that it isn’t worth worrying about in the first place.
Meditation
I use a guided meditation specifically for the end of the day. I have a Headspace subscription. I know a lot of people also enjoy using Calm. If you intend using an app on your phone make sure you are disciplined enough not to get distracted by other things.
Silent reflection on the day
For me this is prayer time. For other people this is time journaling and for others time with their own thoughts. It’s up to you how you do it but do take time to look back over your day and reflect on what has brought you a sense of light, joy, freedom or peace and what has brought you a sense of darkness, heaviness or sadness. As you do this regularly you’ll begin to see patterns and your inner wisdom will point you towards the things that bring you that sense of light and help you to avoid those things that bring you darkness.
All of the above can take as much or as little time as you like. Including getting ready for bed my routine can take as little as 15 minutes.
These activities will ensure that you are checking in with yourself at the end of the day. Giving your inner wisdom an opportunity to communicate with you.
See what works for you. Even just picking one or two things from this list will create a sense of calm and certainty around bedtime and both of these are things that we need in this time of uncertainty.
