A Bedtime Routine Puts You Asleep Like a Baby

Dinner. Check. Bath. Check. Story Time. Check. Prayers. Check. Song. Check. Lights out. Check. Goodnight. That was the general bedtime routine we used for our daughters when they were young. I think my favorite part of the routine was the rousing, often off key, rendition of the song “Amen” we would sing almost every night. Their dad started singing it one night after they said their bedtime prayers. He has a tenor talking voice, but started singing in a baritone voice. We loved it, off key and all. It made us laugh. We all joined in and it became a Bailey bedtime tradition.

Many parents faithfully execute a bedtime routine for their young children. They make sure that their children are fed, washed and put to bed no later than the designated time. The routine ensures that children get the amount of sleep they need for their growing bodies and parents get the “us” or “me” time that is needed as well.

All of this structure goes out the window when children hit adolescence. Their schedules become busier and they begin to make choices regarding their bedtime. By the time they hit adulthood, bedtime routines are faded memories. They no longer remember the calming, relaxing activities that helped them get a restful night’s sleep.

Bedtime routines work well for adults who use them to wind down every night. It has helped me. I am sleeping better than I have in many years. I fall asleep and stay asleep through the night. On those nights that I wake up, I fall back to sleep in a matter of minutes. This has not always been the case for me. Bedtime was the time my mind would focus on unresolved issues in my work or home life.

While at work, I was busy carrying out my work tasks and responsibilities. In the evening, I busied myself with the tasks of home; cooking dinner, helping with homework, or encouraging my husband to fix the dripping sink. As long as I was busy, I did not have to worry or think about problems.

When everyone had gone to bed and all of the tasks were complete, thoughts of unresolved issues would flow through my mind. One problem after another invaded my brain. As much as I would try, I could not stop worrying or trying to figure out a solution.

The thoughts would start around 9 o’clock when everyone, except me, was in bed. I would spend another hour or two piddling and thinking. I would lie down listening to my husband snoring in a deep sleep. Frustrated, I would toss and turn wide awake.

I finally figured out that if a bedtime routine worked for our daughters, it could also work for me. It could also work for you. During the entire month, we will share tips to help you go to sleep in 30 minutes or less. If you know someone who has trouble falling asleep or sleeping through the night, share this post with them and invite them to join us this month.

Happy Half Hour Club is a community for hardworking adults who want to be happy. Subscribe to receive stress relieving tips that can be accomplished in 30 minutes of less. Like the Happy in 30 Guided Relaxation Facebook page and connect with us on Instagram @happyin30 and Twitter @Happyin30

Download your free copy of Stress is Personal: Your Personal Starter Guide to Stress Relief. This 36 page guide contains easy to use tips to lower your stress level. Read real life scenarios to learn how people similar to you got through it. The print version is also available through MagCloud Publishing.