A nightly routine is a perfect opportunity to unwind from the day and focus on your overall wellness. Whether you make a to-do list for the next day, write in a journal about the day’s achievements and challenges or take time for screen-free relaxation, following the same practices night after night can help you set yourself up for success the next day.
If you’re thinking of creating a nightly routine, consider the following recommendations by the members of Young Entrepreneur Council. Below, they explain what they do each night and why they believe it sets them up for a successful next day. Try out their recommendations to see what works best for your evening rituals and habits.
1. Find Some ‘Me’ Time
Parents with young kids sometimes don’t have a lot of time for themselves at night. I set myself up for success the next day by having a wind-down routine that helps me get to bed as soon as I’m done putting the kids to bed. It involves a hot shower to loosen tense muscles, watching 30 minutes or so of a documentary while stretching and then a meditation app like Calm to meditate myself to sleep. I only have an hour to myself, and this time is what I need to relax and prepare my mind and body for a restful sleep. – Kaitlyn Witman, Rainfactory
2. Make A List For The Next Day
Every night I make a list of things I want to accomplish the next day. It’s a quick and easy way to orient your mind to achieving certain goals, and if it becomes habitual, it will result in greater overall productivity. I think a lot of people balk at doing this because they are afraid that they haven’t thought out their daily objectives, or have other “perfectionistic” reasons for not making a daily hit list. The point is not to always meet your objectives directly, and it may be that the objectives you decide upon at 9 p.m. the night before will all change when you sit down to work in the morning. But doing this repeatedly until it becomes a habit will pay huge dividends over the long term. – Kyle Michaud, Carolina Dozer
3. Leave The Phone Behind
I never take my phone into bed with me. Work emails, social distractions—all of it just ruins your entire sleep cycle. If you really want to get a bad night’s sleep, stare at your phone just before bed; it works wonders! If you actually want to get some meaningful rest though, leave your phone elsewhere. If you want to keep it near you in case of emergencies, throw it in a bedside drawer. The point is, our brains aren’t wired to endlessly process materials and then suddenly go to sleep. It’s a gradual process, and your phone is a demanding device. Cut off the electronics before bed and see how it changes how you feel in the morning. Trust me! – Nick Venditti, StitchGolf
4. Write In A Journal
One of the things I always do before going to bed each night is to reflect on my day and write down my thoughts in a journal. I see it as a very powerful way of winding down my day. It helps me get into a better frame of mind for sleep by reducing stress, improving my sleep and improving the overall emotional state of my mind. It’s also a great way to prioritize my concerns, fears and problems. And tracking them regularly helps me identify the triggers and work on them more efficiently. – Josh Kohlbach, Wholesale Suite
5. Note One Highlight Of The Day
As part of my nightly routine, I like to take a moment and think about one highlight of my day. It can be as simple as a great-tasting cup of coffee or finishing a big project. Whatever the case, I say thanks to that accomplishment or opportunity and fully acknowledge it before the day ends. I think it’s important to continuously and consciously practice gratitude because it cultivates a positive mindset. You need motivation and positivity to be an entrepreneur and run a business. – Jared Atchison, WPForms.