Bedtime comes at the end of a really long day. This day could either be a good day, or even a bad day. When you have a lot going on and you're stressed out, it can be hard to get a good night's sleep. This is why it's important to create a good schedule before bed, which is known as sleep hygiene. Below are the best ways to relax and wind down after a busy day so you can get a good night's sleep! 

Meditation 

Meditation is a great method to relax before bed. There are many different types of meditations that you can do to help you win down and relax your mind. 

One form of meditation is called Mindfulness Meditation. Mindfulness meditation is very simple to do. You just pay attention to your body and focus on breathing. Focus on how your body feels against the bed, or whatever surface you're sitting on. Focus on how your clothes feel against your body and just take a total body scan. If you're mind starts to wonder, that's okay, simply bring it back without judgement. 

Another form of meditation is Guided Meditation. If meditating on your own is difficult, that's okay. You can try guided meditation which involves finding meditation that you like where some guides you through what to focus on. You can find many of these on YouTube that will guide you straight to a wonderful slumber. 

Yoga 

If sitting still isn't your cup of tea, then you may want to try yoga. Yoga is also a way to wind down, but it involves meditative movements. You can end your night with a stretch routine that keeps your heart rate low and helps you focus on holding a position. You can also focus on your breath and try to stretch out all of stressors from the day before. 

If you're not that flexible, it's okay. There are tools you can use to help you like yoga blocks and bands to help get that extra stretch. If you're new to yoga, there are plenty of videos on line for beginning and advanced levels. 

Journaling 

Journaling is a great way to relax before bed. It's an activity that avoids blue light, which is optimal for preparing to go to bed. It is also a way to get out all of your stressors before bed. You can just write about how your day went, or buy a journal with prompts to help guide you're writing. You don't have to write a novel, but just enough to where you feel like you got out all you needed to say. 

Reading

Reading is also another great way to wind down before bed. Reading also avoids blue light while stimulating your mind as you read whatever genre floats your boat. It's also a way to take your mind to another place, helping you forget about whatever may be stressing you out. 

Try reading for just thirty minutes every night before going to bed and watch how many books you go through in a month or a year. Reading right before bed also helps you to consolidate what you just read as memory consolidation takes place during sleep.

Try these few techniques to help relax you before bed. If you're still struggling to wind down, you may have something else going on. Click below to take the free test to see if there is something a sleep expert can help you with! 

[Sources]:

https://www.sleep.org/how-to-meditate-before-bed/

https://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-hygiene/how-to-relieve-stress-for-bedtime