Top 10 Better Sleep Strategies: Great Ways to End Your Day

1. Try Light Exercise

Exercise has so many stress management and health benefits, and for many of us, nighttime is when it best fits our schedules. Light exercise like yoga or walking at night can also help sleep as it releases tension without overstimulating the body. (It’s debatable whether or not exercise right before bed disrupts sleep; according to sports medicine expert Elizabeth Quinn, it could actually improve sleep).

2. Listen to Music

Music can soothe your mind and body to the point that it’s now being used as a therapeutic tool by some. You can use music to your benefit by playing relaxing tunes before bed, and throughout the evening to help you wind down and release tension as bedtime approaches. These are some of my favorite picks.

3. Clean Up

A recent poll on this site found that close to 80% of you live with a level of clutter that can cause additional stress. Cleaning up at the end of the day can leave you feeling less stressed because you’re doing something to tackle the problem, and the anticipation of waking up to a cleaner house can make your rest more peaceful.

4. Quiet Games Instead of T.V.

While many people like to zone out in front of the T.V. before bed, playing low-key computer games can be a refreshing alternative. They can create a nice distraction from the stress of the day and be a great way of ‘shifting gears’, but aren’t so exciting that they make sleep elusive. These games can also sharpen your mental abilities and help you learn new skills: The Stress Relief Memory Game and The Stress Management Word Game. Find other games and fun stuff in the Fun and Games Section.

5. Bubble Bath

Soaking in a tub of bubbles can rinse away tension and leave your body pampered and your mind free. It’s also a great segue to sleep, as any parent of a small child can attest. Read more about the importance of self care, and find tips on how to create a soothing home spa experience.

6. Massage

Massage is a great stress reliever that also feels good. If you can’t trade massages with people you live with, you can do a self-massage or use massaging tools to relieve tension. Either way, having a massage before bed can loosen stress in your body, relax you, and make sleep come more easily.

7. Journaling

Journaling has many stress and health benefits, making it a great way to end the day. Writing in a journal before bed can clear your mind, help you process emotions, solve problems, mentally prepare for the next day, make plans, and get your thoughts out of your head and on the page, where they can be picked up the next morning. A gratitude journal can get you in a positive frame of mind for sleep, and over time helps you change your whole frame of mind to a more positive, less stressed one.

8. Meditation

Meditation has been used by many, many people to relieve stress in the body and mind. It’s a great technique to use before bedtime because it segues so naturally into sleep: it relaxes the body, clears the mind, and creates inner peace. Be patient with yourself and follow these tips for beginners, and you should find meditation to be a great stress management tool.

9. Sex

For those in a committed relationship, sex is known as a great nighttime stress reliever for a reason! Not only does a healthy sex life enhance your relationship, but it relaxes your body, releases ‘happy’ chemicals, and even promotes wellness. And, of course, it welcomes sleep. Unfortunately, excessive stress can also be a libido dampener. If you’re having trouble ‘getting in the mood’, here are some important tips for you.

10. Avoid These:

Some activities can be too stimulating at night and can make it harder to fall asleep, or make your sleep less restful. For a restorative night’s sleep, you should avoid caffeine after 2pm, interpersonal conflict or stressful conversations, or anything else that’s overstimulating. (Dealing with finances or even certain T.V. shows can be overstimulating to some.) Everyone’s different, so try to pay attention to your internal states, and respond accordingly.