Want an Unstoppable Morning? Create an Unbeatable Evening Routine
Find it hard to stick to a morning routine? It might be because your evening routine isn’t supporting your goal.
Pulling yourself up by the bootstraps to get out of bed in the morning is hard enough as it is.
But when you don’t have a solid evening routine leading up to that fateful alarm, it can feel downright impossible.
If you’re struggling to make your mornings more bearable (or even just survive them), take a step back and assess your evening routine.
Creating a set of rituals to wind down before bed can make all the difference in how you feel when you wake up.
And trust me, feeling good in the morning makes taking on the day a whole lot easier.
If you are ready to make your mornings more manageable (and, dare I say, enjoyable), here are 4 tips for creating an excellent evening wind-down routine.
1. Establish a cutoff time for work
I’m a freelance writer. That means that every minute I don’t work, I don’t get paid.
So it can be tempting to work around the clock in an effort to maximize my earnings. But what I’ve learned the hard way is that this is a recipe for burnout.
If you want to avoid waking up feeling exhausted and stressed, it’s crucial to establish a cutoff time for work each evening. That way, you can give your brain the chance to relax and recharge overnight.
For me, that cutoff time is 9 PM. Once the clock strikes 9, I close my laptop and leave work behind for the day. This gives me a solid three hours to wind down before bed.
To know how to cut off work, you need to define work. Is it actually putting out actionable work, or does it also include checking email, browsing social media, or reading work-related articles? Defining work will help you create better boundaries around it.
2. Unplug from electronics
Let’s be completely honest. This one is pretty much impossible in our current day and age.
We are constantly bombarded with notifications from our phones, computers, and even our appliances. Unplugging can be hard when technology goes from distraction to life-support.
But if you want to give your brain a break, it’s essential to unplug from electronics at least an hour before bed. That means no scrolling through social media, reading work emails, or watching TV.
Replace it with some good old-fashioned human interaction and hobbies. Talk to your partner, read a book, or take the dog for a walk. This will help you relax and prepare for a good night’s sleep.
For me, I have a Rubix cube that I like to complete just before bed. Seriously!
It’s the perfect way to disconnect from work and clear my head before bed. And for some reason, by the time I finish it, I’m always in a great mood and ready for sleep.
3. Set aside time for relaxation
This is one of the most essential steps in my evening routine. Once I’ve finished work for the day and unplugged from electronics, I set aside at least 30 minutes for relaxation.
What does relaxation look like for you? A nightcap? A bath? Meditation? Find what works for you and stick to it. This is your time to clear your mind, release any residual stress from the day, and just be.
For me, relaxation includes a short bit of cleaning around the house. Something about putting things in their place helps me feel more relaxed and prepared for bed.
4. Make a list of tomorrow’s top three
This is one of my favorite tips because it helps me wake up feeling ready to tackle the day.
Once I’ve finished my relaxation period, I spend a few minutes writing down tomorrow’s top three. These are the three most important things I need to accomplish the next day.
Making this list not only helps me prioritize my time but it also gives me a sense of calm, knowing that I have a plan for the next day. And when I wake up and see my list, I know exactly what I need to do to start my day off on the right foot.
Your Morning Starts The Night Before
Creating an evening routine is one of the best things you can do for your mornings. By taking the time to wind down and prepare for bed, you’ll wake up feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day.
Establish a cutoff time for work, unplug from electronics, set aside time for relaxation, and make a list of tomorrow’s top three. These simple steps will help you set yourself up for a happier, more productive tomorrow.
And once you unlock the proper routine for your morning and evening, don’t be shocked when the rest of the day falls into perfect place.
What about you? What’s one thing you do every evening to prepare for a successful morning? Share in the comments below!
