How to Quit Going to Bed Late!

This post has been inspired by family members, myself, and I’m sure many others who stay up too late and regret it in the morning.

I am guilty. Guilty of all of the things that I let seduce me into going to bed late. I was relieved to research why this is and also to find out I’m not alone! Read on and see which one of these is keeping you up (and if it’s all that’s ok too!) and how to quit going to bed late!

“Just One More Episode. . .”

This may be a Netflix show (we all curse and love how the next episode starts within seconds before we can grab the remote to stop it!) or one of the many rabbit holes that social media sends you down. Before you know it, hours have slipped by!

What to Try:

Set an alarm. This can work two ways: either set an alarm to allow for only a certain amount of time on Netflix, social media, etc, OR set an alarm 30-60 minutes before bed to indicate the time left for devices. Either way, this makes you aware of the time you are spending. Remember, all those things will be there the next day for you to peruse. You may also want to try keeping electronics out of your bedroom and using a regular alarm clock. Try seeing how much easier it is to quit going to bed late and get more sleep!  Another resource? The devices themselves! Many of our phones have the screen time option to control websites and screen time.

Your Mind is Racing

We all know this feeling. As you lie in bed, you start thinking of something important/stressful coming up or you rethink how you could have handled an argument or discussion differently from earlier in the day. One thought leads into another and then we anxiously realize an hour has gone by and we still are not asleep!

What to Try:

Possibly try keeping a notebook by your bed to write down everything bothering you (quickly) before shutting off the light. Another suggestion may be to give yourself some time to relax before bed so that your brain can have time to unwind. This could be through meditation, yoga, journaling, or even taking a bath or shower. I have personally started to unwind by taking a shower (the temperature change to your body tends to relax you) and also have enjoyed sleep meditations on the app Insight Timer and Calm.  In regards to writing things down, think about what can be acted on by you. Write down some action steps. If not, try taking a deep breath and let it go, past things can’t be changed and future things can’t be predicted.

But I Still Have to. . .

We all have our to-do lists and often they are just more than we can realistically accomplish. While there may definitely be tasks that need to get done in the evening, sometimes analyzing whether the task can be done the next day or at a different time could be helpful.

What to Try:

Whether you have a planner or utilize your phone, schedule time to do certain tasks. In addition to scheduling the task, give yourself a window of time to get it done. Another tip would be to write down 3-4 things during your workday that need to be accomplished that evening and prioritize in order of importance.

Some Things to Ponder

We are often hard on ourselves and sometimes need to mindfully ask ourselves why we are going to bed late. What are we choosing to do and why? How is it serving us? Also, realize what you respond well to and what you don’t when implementing change. Some of us may prefer a strict schedule (like a bedtime of 9:30 pm) while others may work better with a window of time (between 9-10pm). Try stuff out and see what works for you and helps you to not only quit going to bed late but also feel your best! Let me know your thoughts and what works for you and if you have other tips!