Eight night routine steps to ensure a successful next day

If you think a great, productive and generally successful day begins with how you start the morning, think again – the most successful and productive people will always tell you that it all starts the night before.

Here are eight steps you can include in your night routine (in no particular order) to ensure your next day is successful:

1. Cut out the caffeine early

We all love our tea and coffee, don’t we? And why not, right? Caffeine has been shown to boost productivity, increase both physical and mental performance and help uplift your mood but it has a downside too: it can keep you wide awake into the wee hours of the night.

Even if you have small amounts of caffeine from regular or green tea, it can stay in your bloodstream for more than 8 hours. Make it a habit to have no tea or coffee at least 6-8 hours before bedtime.

2. Have some quiet and relaxing “me” time

People often have trouble falling asleep because they are either too stressed out from the day’s activities or simply don’t allow their minds and bodies to wind down properly before bedtime.

Try to stay away from TV screens as well as your computer, laptop or smartphone. Movies and videogames before bed time are definitely not a good idea. Instead, listen to some calming music or put on one of those ‘nature’ soundscapes on YouTube to calm your mind and body. Reading a good book can also do the trick.

3. Take a warm bath

Taking a warm bath before bed can help soothe and calm the nerves. It signals to the nervous system that the day has come to an end and the body doesn’t need to exert anymore. You’d be surprised how calming this can be, and it’ll help you fall asleep fairly quickly.

4. Make an achievements and to-do list

While it makes sense to make a to-do list for the next day, it’s also a good idea to add at least one or two things that you achieved each day between morning and evening. Listing goals that you met this way will give you more confidence to start the next day with.

5. Do some light exercise

No, this does not mean an evening run or lifting weights at the gym, but rather, a relaxing walk right after dinner or perhaps a brief and relaxing swim before dinner. It could also include yoga and light stretching right before bed.

6. Set out your office wear

Needs no explanation, right? However, it’s still surprising to see how many people leave this to the last minute the next day. But if you do this the night before, you’ll have more energy in the morning, and it’ll help you look forward to the day with extra zest and motivation.

7. Put your thoughts down in a journal

Instead of having thoughts racing through your mind at bed time, list down the day’s observations in a journal. You can always reflect on them later.

8. Put that phone away!

We already touched upon this somewhat in the second one, but really, you have to resist the temptation to check your phone! The blue light from your smartphone screen can stimulate brain cells, keeping you up at night.