4 Tips to wind down after a long day

Tips to wind down after a long day

As busy bees, our schedules are packed back to back with our work and life responsibilities. Even after retiring to our homes, we barely get any time to rest as we prepare to repeat the very same cycle the next day - when all we really want to do is to leave our troubles at the door and unwind. Taking time to intentionally relax after a hectic day is extremely helpful to getting better quality sleep, as we signal to our bodies and minds that it is almost bedtime. As such, here are some tips on winding down after a long day!

Step 1: Clean Up

That’s right, but we don’t just mean a 5-minute shower to be clean! Take the time to feel the water droplets rain down on you from the showerhead, clearing your mind with every drop. Depending on your mood, you could opt for either a cold or hot shower, though we recommend a hot shower to lull yourself into a state of relaxation to prepare for sleep. Lastly, don’t forget to change into a comfortable pair of pajamas to really get into the me-time mood! Check out SleepSnugg’s very own pajamas here!

Step 2: Drink Up

No, we don’t mean the carton of beer sitting in your refrigerator! What would be best to bring you to a state of relaxation is a warm mug of milk or non-caffeinated tea in your hands, as you settle into your arm chair to rest for the night. While warm milk does the trick, we understand that some of our lactose-intolerant friends may find this tip hard to apply. Here are some of our recommendations for non-dairy, non-caffeinated drinks to warm your soul!

Warmed Milk

What you will need:

• 1 cup of milk (we recommend full-cream, and almond for our lactose-intolerant friends)

• Honey to taste

• Warm the milk in a microwave for about 20 seconds or more if it was straight out of the refrigerator.

• Ensure the milk is not boiling, rather, lightly warmed.

• Stir in honey to taste.

• Serve.

Chamomile Tea

What you will need:

• 1 chamomile tea bag

• Honey to taste

• Lemon or vanilla essence (optional)

• Steep the tea bag in hot water (not boiling) for 5 minutes for a well-developed flavour profile.

• Stir in honey to taste.

• Add in a lemon slice or two and allow it to steep for a while for a zestier taste

• Alternatively, add a few drops of vanilla essence to have a more full-bodied and rounded flavour.

Step 3: Read Up/Write Down

Finally, a reason to pick up that book you bought 2 years ago that’s been left on your shelf covered in dust! Nothing beats reading a good book while tucked in bed to prepare you for rest. Reading broadens our perspectives and brings us on an imaginative ride, a form of escapism from our worries in life. It’s best to read under a reading light, as it is less harsh than the typical white light in our homes!

If reading isn’t your cup of tea, try penning down your thoughts in a journal to unwind! Writing down our thoughts helps us to rationalise feelings and emotions which may have burdened us throughout the day. Plus, letting out frustrations at the end of a day is cathartic, a great way to take care of our mental health!

Step 4: Calm Down

You’ve taken all the aforementioned steps, but sleep still feels far away. What now? Our last but highly effective tip would be to embark on meditation. Meditation isn’t necessarily a monotonous, religious chant; rather, it is to simply bring our bodies to a state of ease. Relax your shoulders and unclench your jaw, and focus on your breathing. You may not realise it, but throughout the day, our daily stresses cause us to unconsciously tense up our muscles. Relaxing your muscles will allow you to fully unwind (literally and metaphorically), bringing you better sleep!

Now that you’ve unwinded and are feeling much more relaxed, sleep will definitely come quicker, and deeper. It is best to slowly incorporate these tips into your daily bedtime routine; they serve as signals to your body and mind that it is time to switch off and hit the hay!

Sweet Dreams!