If you have ever noticed that some people seem to have no trouble falling asleep while others are forced to stay awake for hours, it is important to consider the power of the bedtime routine. It is not usually possible to just shut down your body with a snap of your fingers. It takes a bit of time, after which your mind and body become ready to peacefully rest for seven to ten hours.
A bedtime routine isn’t just a story and lullaby, it’s the steps and behavior you take to wind-down your body and your mind. A good sleep routine can include what you eat, as well as how your room is set up. If you would like to develop a bedtime routine, no matter if you are a child or an adult, this information should help you sleep you better at night.
Remember That Sleep is a Behavior
Believe it or not, sleep actually serves many vital functions. Not only is it a way to conserve energy, but it is also the mechanism by which we remember things and improve our own learning skills.
During the day, the mind is simply too active to process everything that it encounters. It is during the sleep cycle, when the rest of the body is inactive, that the brain really begins to do its work. In order to do this, we need to teach our bodies to sleep well. This requires a routine that we can begin to look forward to. By maintaining a consistent schedule in regard to when and where we sleep and creating a relaxing bedroom with soft bedsheets and a memory foam mattress we will be doing our body a huge favor.
Bedroom Routines Are Beneficial
While children may fight the implementation of a strict bedtime, it really is one of the best parenting strategies. There are so many benefits to be realized from a strict bedtime routine, and these all apply to adults as well. It is important to start slowing the body down at least an hour before bedtime in order to get the mind ready for sleep. You do not want to just put your child down to sleep right after playtime each evening. In the same regard, adults need time to wind down at night as well before their head hits the pillow.
Here Are Some Rituals That Can Help You Sleep Better
If you are struggling with falling asleep at night, there are some things that you can begin to change about your bedtime routine that may help. Try to implement the following suggestions roughly an hour before trying to go to bed and see how they work for you.
Read a Book
Reading is a form of relaxation for both children and adults. You do not have to find the most boring book in your library. Just find something that you or your child will enjoy and read for about half an hour.
Put on Relaxing Music
Soothing music can put your mind at rest before you even fall asleep. You can also set a timer to turn off the music after a certain period of time.
Stretch Just Before Bed
You can do some light stretching to get your muscles nice and limber for the night ahead.
Our bodies need sleep. A lack of sleep can lead to a host of health problems down the road, so it is important to make this a priority. Families should work hard to implement a bedtime routine that works for them. The better each person in the household sleeps at night, the happier and healthier the entire family is likely to be overall.
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