By Kristin Stephens, MS, NTP

A good sleep routine is one of the healthiest habits you can create for yourself.

A good night’s sleep can help you to be more productive, concentrate better, improves your memory, boosts your immunity, and just makes you feel happier in general.

Unfortunately, our society doesn’t exactly prioritize sleep. Our devices allow us to stay connected until the moment our eyelids close at night. The internet offers endless entertainment and distraction. And many jobs now expect you to respond to emails in the evenings from your cell phone.

The one great thing our devices can offer us is an app for tracking our sleep. There are several out there, ranging from free to just a few bucks. They offer a ton of different features, such as varying alarm sounds and lights, daily and monthly tracking, white noise and nature sounds to help you fall asleep, and even notes sections to write about your sleep. 

While there are many different options to choose from, I use the Bedtime portion of the Clock App on my iPhone. This offers several different features and allows for some customization. 

My favorite feature is that not only can you set an alarm for when you’d like to wake up in the morning, but you can also set an alarm to remind you to get ready for bed at night.

Sometimes we get too caught up in what we’re doing in the evening, we forget about the process of getting ready for bed. Creating a solid bedtime routine for yourself is one way to ensure you get a better night’s sleep.

Create a Bedtime Routine

The first step to creating a routine is to determine what time you need to wake up in the morning. Next, figure out how many hours of sleep you need at night to be fully-functioning the next day (hint: most adults need 7-8 hours each night). Then, set your alarm on your Bedtime App and work backwards to determine what time you need to go to sleep.

You can create an additional reminder 15-60 minutes before your chosen bedtime. This way you can start your bedtime routine, which is going to set you up for a good night’s sleep.

Typical bedtime routines include washing your face, brushing your teeth, and reading. Other things to consider adding to your routine include:

– Stretching or doing light yoga
– Picking out your outfit for the next day
– Showering in the evening to save time in the morning
– Turning off your devices at least 30 minutes before going to sleep
– Meditating
– Writing in a gratitude journal

Taking these steps and using some form of sleep app on your phone will allow you to create a new habit around sleep. Doing so will improve so much of your life!

For a more in-depth conversation about how healthy habits can improve your overall health and wellbeing, contact Pure Nutrition + Wellness LLC at [email protected], or call us at 844-787-3935. We look forward to hearing from you!

Be Well,

Donna Stephens, BCN, CNHP, LDHS
Kristin Stephens, MS, NTP