Young people often take sleep for granted and would prefer to spend the night socializing, catching up on Netflix, or surfing the Internet. But as you get older, you suddenly realize how important a good night’s rest is, especially if you plan to be successful in your career.
In order to be at one’s peak performance in the workplace, workers need to get enough time to rest and recharge to wake up bright and energized the following day. Some of the most successful people have even turned their bedtime routine into a kind of ritual as they aim to be at their best every day.
Here are the things that successful people do before going to bed.
They dress in comfortable sleepwear
If you’re making it a habit to fall asleep in just about anything that you’ve been wearing for the past few hours, maybe it’s time for you to get some new sleepwear. In her book “The Sleep Revolution” (via Prevention.com), the Huffington Post founder Arianna Huffington said that she used to sleep in workout clothes before having an epiphany about her sleepwear.
“I realized that was a confusing message to be sending my brain before bed: Workout gear is on, but it’s time to wind down?” she said. “I switched to pajamas, nightdresses, or just T-shirts—ones that are used only for sleep—and my brain now gets the message that it’s time to rest.”
They read books that are not related to work
Reading an actual book is a good way to unwind after a stressful day. Pick a book that will transport you to another time or place and won’t bore you, scare you, or make you cry yourself to sleep. Try Salman Rushdie’s “The Enchantress of Florence,” David Eggers’ “The Wild Things,” or revisit a classic, such as Louisa May Alcott’s “Little Women.”
They turn off their smartphones
Successful people know that a few seconds on Instagram or Twitter can turn into an hour, and the light emitted by gadgets can impair sleep. Turn off your smartphone and put it in a place that won’t be within your reach while you’re in bed.
They prepare their things for the next day
Successful people often pick out their work outfit the night before, and they make sure that their clothes are wrinkle free and presentable. They also check to see if everything that they need to take to the office is in their work bag.
They write in a journal
Some people like to keep a journal about what happened during their day, while others use their journals to unload ideas, inspiration, or even things to do the next day. Keep a simple notebook or a journal and a pen on your bedside table and make it a nightly habit to write on it.
For more, check out Jobs & Hire’s report on simple and practical ways to improve yourself.
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