What you do during the day helps you sleep at night

When we think about sleep, it can often feel like a circumscribed activity – something we do that is separate from being awake. And in many ways it is – the changes in our level of consciousness are unique for many of our slumbering hours. However, while sleep and wake might seem like night and day – they have an intimately symbiotic relationship.

Most of us are probably familiar with the effect of a poor night’s sleep on how we feel the next day – it can be hard to focus and we might feel tired, exhausted, or irritable.

However, what we do during the day can, conversely, have an equally impactful role in our sleep.

Have you ever had a really stressful day, and when you finally get into bed, it can be hard to switch off? Often this leads to tossing and turning for some or much of the night and, even when we do finally get to sleep, we frequently wake up or feel like the sleep we got was very “light”.

What we do during the day affects how we sleep at night. This can be especially true for the hours before bed. We are not talking about minimising blue light exposure here (although that is also important).

While it may not be possible to always prevent stress during the day, finding a helpful wind-down routine in the evening as you prepare your mind for sleep can be just as important.

One of the most common reasons people have trouble sleeping is a feeling of overwhelm, worry, or a “racing” mind. Feeling uncertain about important areas of your life can trigger these negative states and cause anxiety to build. This can be especially loud at night when everything else is quiet, and we suddenly hear all the worries that have been building in our subconscious.

The most effective way to deal with this sort of mental chatter and anxiety is to take control of our lives. Here’s what I mean by that:

When we design an intentional life, we create a sense of agency and purpose. Then, the mind can relax – safe in the knowledge that we are on track and focusing on what matters most.

How do we do this?

The most effective way I have found is through consistent “life reviews”. Taking stock of what matters most to develop clarity, purpose, and calm. This is a process that takes time and effort – but it is worth it.

I will be exploring this and other helpful techniques we can use to create a more intentional and fulfilling life. If you haven’t already, make sure you’re signed up for my newsletter, which you can access here.

Remember: Clear mind, sound sleep.