Why can’t the transition to sleep be as easy as lying down and closing our eyes to visit dreamland? A lot goes on during the day and your brain needs to gradually disengage from the world by quieting thoughts and relaxing. The senses are hard to turn off and the brain naturally starts to re-cap the day we finished plus the day ahead. Let go of the worries and concerns that surface by practicing these routines at bedtime.
- Set a cut off time. Select a time that is the end of your day. This is an hour or two BEFORE your bedtime. Put work aside, turn off the phone and ignore unfinished tasks until tomorrow.
- Reflect. Recall three good things that happened in the day. Identify them in your mind or even better, write them down in a journal.
- Identify relaxing activities. Some people find reading, taking a bath or listening to music help them unwind.