We focus a lot on what we do before going to bed because we like to make ourselves feel like we’re doing something that is going to quickly lead to results. An example of this are evening routines.
There isn’t much evidence to support most of the hints and tips that you might have for getting a good night’s sleep.
For example, doing one evidence-based tip isn’t going to resolve a long-term problem. However, it makes us feel better that we’re doing something.
The problem with evening routines
By consistently following evening routines it starts to become slightly more obsessive and ritualistic. Even though you know that doing all these things isn’t leading to a consistent sleep…
We start to worry and get anxious that moving away from those things might make things worse. .
Believing that something you specifically do every single night is going to lead to sleep – is not real.
At the end of the day, you have this drive to sleep. You’re still doing it, even if you don’t like the sleep you’re getting or if it’s not the way you want it… it’s still happening. Otherwise, we wouldn’t be here.
There’s no tiny thing you’re doing one night that will magically fix your sleep problem.
Liberate yourself from them, you know they’re not resolving the issue. Do what makes you happy, what makes you content. Because, even if you’re not sleeping well, going to bed with those kinds of feelings it is going to help.
What can you do to improve your sleep?
A few things are kind of helpful… like the idea of winding down. That’s good because you don’t want to be telling your brain, last thing in the evening, that you want to wind up and get ready for work.
You don’t want to be doing work things or things that your brain associates with what you do during the day.
Winding down is great, but having such a ritualistic routine that every night has to be the same it’s not such a good idea.
Doing things that don’t have much science behind them to resolve a habitual sleep problem just adds stress and anxiety.
Liberate yourself from them, you know they’re not resolving the issue. Do what makes you happy, what makes you content. Because, even if you’re not sleeping well, going to bed with those kinds of feelings it is going to help.