I'm a person who likes routine. I have a rigorous morning routine that I follow almost every day. Although there are days when issues may arise that I must deal with instead of following my routine, if I don't follow my routine, many essential activities, like exercise or time in the world, get put off for another day. Just as my morning routine involves getting up before an alarm clock, showering, brushing my teeth, making breakfast, and exercising, my nighttime routine is equally important.
As I get older, sleep is not as easy to attain each night as it once was. Therefore, I must follow a strict routine to maximize the amount of sleep I get each night and help myself relax and unwind after a productive day. I'm mentally and emotionally spent if I've worked a lot during the day. The nighttime routine helps me relax, unwind, and signal to my brain that it is time to rest and set aside the cares of the day. Here's how I learned to maximize my nighttime routine:
Everyone knows it's essential to get a good night's sleep. There is also the quantity in addition to the quality that counts. For example, I feel differently when I've only gotten 6 or 7 hours of sleep, as opposed to 9 hours of sleep. My body feels it if I go for a few days and only get 6 or 7 hours of sleep. I can only work a certain number of hours during the day before I need to nap in the afternoon. Understanding the natural rhythms of your brain and body is essential to maximizing when you should fall asleep and when you should wake up.
Avoid watching late-night movies or engaging in other activities that involve TV screens or things that will keep your brain active. It's essential to allow your brain time to shut off, forget about the cares of the day, and put them off until the following day. If my mind is racing before I go to sleep, chances are I will wake up in the evening and struggle to fall back asleep. This impairs my ability to complete tasks throughout the day due to a lack of sleep the night before.
Recently, I've found that reading a chapter of a book or even the Bible helps me clear my mind and begin my nighttime routine. If I haven't had a chance to read my Bible throughout the day, sometimes reading one chapter at night helps my brain relax and shut off from all the day's responsibilities. Writing articles and books during the day uses one part of the brain. Reading books allows me to take a break from writing and switch off my brain, allowing my body to slow down and shut off appropriately.
This helps, especially if I don't have time to read throughout the day. Reading good books, learning new things, and unwinding my mind allows me to keep my mind engaged. I've noticed that I feel more tired when I go to bed, but I can fall asleep more quickly and stay asleep throughout the night.
Although I use very few skincare products at night, a good skincare routine is essential for repairing the skin from the damage it sustains during the day, as well as for delaying the formation of lines and wrinkles. As I age, it's also essential for me to keep my skin moisturized so that I can maintain a youthful appearance.
Conduct research to determine which products are best suited to your needs. Although harsh lotions and oils can exacerbate acne, some lotions are great when you sleep on a pillowcase and help prevent damage while you sleep. Look for creams and oils that are non-greasy and will not stain your pillowcase at night.
Investing in a good skincare routine will help you feel refreshed the following day, as if your face has had time to repair itself overnight.
When I recognize this, it helps me to calm my body and meditate on the Lord. I often pray, and that's how I fall asleep. Alternatively, I meditate on a particular Scripture that God is teaching me during my quiet time. As I think about the Lord, this is a good way to end the day. It's also beneficial when I get up in the morning, because the first thought that comes to mind is to pray and ask God for a good start to my day.
Although some compare meditation to New Age practices, meditation also benefits Christians. We must meditate on the law, day and night. This means meditating on Scriptures throughout the day and allowing them to ruminate and apply to your life. It is one thing to read the Bible; it is another to use the words you are reading in your life.
In the end, God will not be as concerned with the number of Scriptures that you know, but rather what you did with the Scriptures. He wants to see Christ-like character culminate in your life. The best way to do this is to allow the Scriptures to permeate your mind and transform your heart.
When my mind is completely shut off from the cares of the day, it is then that God sometimes gives me ideas for books, articles, and so on. I must keep a notebook by my bedside table to record anything the Lord is saying to me throughout the night. You may also communicate with me through dreams and visions in the early morning. By keeping a notebook, I can quickly write down what I remember.
I often feel I'm going to place it throughout the night, only to find myself waking up and not remembering what was said. Sometimes, at night, when all the rest of the world is not vying for your brain's attention, this is when God speaks the loudest.
Pray and ask God to speak to you in dreams and visions in the evening. Allow him to use your sleep time to deepen your spiritual walk. God has a history of using angels and other visions to speak to his people in dreams throughout the night. Ask God to use this time to deepen your character, strengthen your faith, and help you reflect on the meaning and purpose of your life.
Just as it is essential to maintain a consistent morning routine, it is equally important to adhere to a strict nighttime routine. Although there will always be exceptions to the rule, as you may want to engage in fun activities that extend into the evening, it is essential to follow a similar routine each night.
This allows your brain to prepare naturally for sleep, which is often stimulated by television screens and computers. Keep a notebook by your bedside table. Pray, meditate on God's Word, and care for your skin. When you do these things, you'll feel healthier and happier than ever when you wake up in the morning.
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