5 things to make a better night

M E D I T A T E
It is easy for me to get an OM session in before everyone is up in the morning, but when all the forces of life (spouse, friends, events, kids, dinner, etc.) are pulling at me at the end of the day, I find this incredibly challenging. When I do make the time to find that magic 20 minute meditation, my night is completely transformed for the better. Plus, all of this makes for a better morning the next day, as well beginning a chain of goodness!

BYE BYE S C R E E N T I M E
I just read about how the blue light from all the screens is causing insomnia, anxiety, and depression! That's pretty major. There is a simple scientific reason. Tech screens emit a lot of blue light. Blue light is detectable even by the visually impaired as it is the part of the spectrum we experience as the sun is rising. Yup, the screen you hold inches away from your face right before bed is totally throwing off your circadian rhythms. Talk about no bueno. Sleep is the foundation to everything: mood, energy, focus, creativity! Ditch the phones, tablets and Netflix (#sorrynotsorry) at least 30 minutes prior to going to bed and reap the benefits immediately. Oh heeey look, we just found an extra 20 minutes to meditate! 😉

OUTFIT, CHECK. LUNCH, CHECK. GOALS, CHECK.
You've already heard countless successful folks talk about the power of the uniform: Steve Jobs and his tee shirt. Zuckerberg and the hoodies. Obama and the blue suits. We don't have to take it there exactly, but the benefits of making a plan for all of the basics for the next day the night before are plenty. Plan your outfit, make your lunch, get the coffee pot filled and ready, and make your goals for the next day. When you wake up, all those fresh and rested brain cells can use their maximum power for things that really matter.

POP THAT MULTI
There are differing opinions on this. When I take vitamins before bed, I wake up the next morning feeling more energized. It is easier for me to spring out of bed and I don't have that groggy, tap-to-snooze feeling. My husband, on the other hand, says it actually keeps him awake. Verdict: experiment to see how your body responds to vitamins before bed or in the morning.

H Y DRATE
The absolute worst thing you can do for your sleep is to end the night with a glass of wine. It is soooo tempting, but a far superior choice is tea or room temperature water. My favorite time to have that post-work glass of wine is while I am preparing dinner. Not eating or drinking anything after 8pm (unless I'm dining out or at a social gathering, of course) also gives my system a chance to slow down before bed which helps with more restful sleep.