Many of us spend our evening in a fluster running around trying to get things done before collapsing into bed. This is no way to finish your day! Going to bed not feeling totally relaxed has a negative impact on your sleep and your mood the following day. Stop suffering through your evenings and mornings with some of these great tips on how to make your evenings more productive and enjoyable and go into every day feeling positive.
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Get Organised ASAP
Once you get in from work, try to make a start on chores rather than leaving them until later in the evening. Make a start on the washing, do a little bit of tidying up before dinner, get your breakfast and lunch ready for the next day, etc. For other tips on how to have a good start to the day, read our article on how to make your mornings better.
Flopping down on the couch when you arrive home is obviously the most desirable option, but you will just end up sitting there for too long and reducing the time you should be relaxing later in the evening to get in the zone for sleeping.
Evening Digital Detox
Try your best to cut out screen time before bed. It is recommended to not look at any device for up to two hours before you go to sleep due to the overstimulating effect of the blue light from screens and its ability to prevent us from shutting off.
It is also beneficial to disconnect and avoid checking emails or work-related content. Try not to go to sleep with stresses from work on your mind. Draw a line between your time at work and your time at home.
Plan For The Next Day
It is common to lay awake at night running through the million things you need to do the following day. A great way to tackle this anxious train of thought is to create a to-do list for the next day. Putting to-dos on paper can help you realise that everything on your plate is totally manageable, and you were overthinking. Alternatively, if you do have too much on your plate, your to-do list will help to establish what is high priority and what can wait until another day.
Journaling
If you struggle with planning, journaling is a great way to get you into the swing of it. This involves acknowledging all the things you achieved during the day and what you would do differently the next time, before planning the following day. Stop that feeling of being on a hamster wheel and put yourself in a positive frame of mind before creating a new to-do list.
Exercise
Exercise has huge benefits for our health, but it is difficult sometimes to find the time. Again, rather than flopping down on the couch, put on your workout clothes and get outside for a little bit straight after you get in the door. This will often reframe your whole mindset and make you feel less stressed and more ready to take on the rest of the evening’s tasks.
Read
Reading is another great way to unwind. In the time before bed when you have put away your phone, try getting lost in a story. This is a really enjoyable way to spend your time if you can find a genre you like, and it is likely to send you off to sleep like a baby. If you’re not a bookworm, try listening to an audiobook!
Meditate
Meditation calms the mind and can leave you feeling totally at peace. It is not easy to master the art of meditation, read this useful guide on meditation for beginners to start your journey to zen.
Before meditating, it is also extremely effective to do some yoga stretches and have a soothing tea to totally relax you. Try having a shower with products infused with essential oils. For anything bathroom related, check out GROHE’s website, for example, their guide on small bathroom solutions is useful to ensure your bathroom is a place to de-stress.
