A Better Night Routine

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I’ve had a set schedule since I was born. I can’t quote my mother on this, but she understood the necessity of a daily routine for her daughter. Everyone needs some variation of order in their life, and some are more than happy to create some. When to eat, sleep, wake-up, shower, and play, soon shift from the parent’s responsibility to the school’s. Depending on when school starts - whether you need a ride there or can walk, the clothes you need to wear to match the weather, lunch, recess, classroom changes, et cetera - your schedule will shift, but mostly it was prepared for you. Now, you’re an adult. Once you choose your classes, your schedule gains some structure; it’s up to you to decide when to do any and all of these activities. 

My priorities changed last summer, and I took control of my time. One difference is that now I don’t work until 9 am. My goal was to gain at least eight hours of sleep every night. Midnight is my cut-off point, and the latest I wake up is 8:15 am. Still, I only get 6-7 hours of sleep, and wake up exhausted. The goal of today is to discover techniques I can implement to create a better way for me to get all the sleep I need.

LifeHack
Leon Ho of LifeHack.org offered many solutions to the ongoing sleep struggle battle, but I do not work a 9am-5pm, I work a 5pm-9:30pm-10:00pm shift. I am a part-timer, and dropped a shift this semester so I can do my homework and have more time to study. Here’s a general overview:

• I wake up 8:15 am at the latest Mon-Thurs
• Mon and Tues I return from work around 10 pm 
• Mon and Tues I eat dinner around 10 pm

Leon recommends having dinner a few hours before bed (Ho 1) but that’s impossible for me. I only have two hours (max) before I need to be knocked out in bed at midnight. He also recommends a “light” meal, but ramen is ramen. We’re college kids (adults) so a freshly grown garden salad is not an option. Instead, I will throw my boots and coat off, and eat slowly until I’m full. He also recommends taking the time to be tidy (Ho 1), but this won’t happen either. I put things where they can go, and clean them up on Wednesdays.

I skipped to his three-point-system (of sorts) because I already know the other advice he gives.

1. Have a clear plan
2. Create reminders and alarms
3. Start small, make it easy so that you can’t say no

My goal is to have the same routine for every night, including the nights I work. I need to: 1) eat dinner and drink water, 2) change the water in my oil diffuser and fill it with a new scent, brush my teeth, 3) wash my face, floss, and moisturize, and 4) have all my electronics turned off and charging at least 15 minutes before bed. I also need to implement yoga into this 1.5 hours block of free-time I’ve already filled with the other four. The plan is for me to first eat and relax by watching videos on my laptop for half an hour. Next, I’ll wash my face, et cetera. Afterwards, I’ll refill my oil diffuser. At 11:30 pm I’ll meditate for 15 minutes; if there’s time between this and the diffuser I’ll clean a little (it’s not a priority). At 11:45 pm every night I will go to bed, no exceptions. 

I do believe this will be difficult to maintain because I can’t control when I get out of work, the weather, or my transportation. The best way to start a habit is to start it, so this is my goal for the evening. Wish me luck!

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Sources
Leon Ho. Life Hack. 22 August 2018. Web. 22 January 2019. <https://www.lifehack.org/679044/night-routine-ultimate-guide>.