Tips to Reduce Stress Before Bed

We’ve all had days that are stressful from the time we get up to the time we go to bed. Maybe you have a tight deadline at work, or maybe you had a fight with your significant other. Maybe your day starts off bad. You overslept, spilled coffee on your shirt, hit every red light, and were late to work. Whatever the reason for your stress, if you carry that with you when going to bed you won’t get the restful sleep you truly need. Everyone handles stress differently, and there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. But, there are some techniques you can do to help you let go of stress and anxiety at the end of the day. Here are our top tips to help you hit the bed stress-free and get the sleep you deserve.

1. Don’t skip your nighttime routine. When we get stressed our bodies enter the fight or flight response, and it can be easy to just get home, put on your pajamas, and crawl into bed with the stress of the day still weighing you down. Your nighttime routine is important, and it’s also a way to tell your body it’s time to relax and wind down. It might be difficult to do, but don’t let your bedtime routine get overlooked.
2. Meditation is another way to help relieve stress when you’re ready for bed. We don’t mean crossing your legs and chanting “ommmmm” unless that helps you sleep. Meditation can just be quietly reflecting and observing feelings, thoughts, and emotions without judgment. It’s about being present in the moment and giving your mind a chance to settle down. As you reflect on the day, maybe you realize that some of the things that happened weren’t as bad as they seemed at the time and will help reduce your stress.
3. Deep breathing can help you relax and can even help you sleep. Practicing slow deep breaths before bed can slow your heart rate and calm your mind.
4. Do something mindless. If you find it hard to turn your brain off, being a couch potato for a while can actually help you relax. So put on a show that you’ve seen a million times and can easily zone out. Once you feel like you’re ready, turn off the t.v. and start your nighttime routine.
5. This tip is more of a don’t instead of a do, but refrain from caffeine or alcohol when you’re stressed. Both of those can affect your ability to have uninterrupted sleep and can affect how your body handles stress.
6. Writing can help you feel less stressed, especially if you are detail-oriented and do well with lists. Writing down what you need to accomplish the next day can help you plan out your day and feel less stressed.
7. Stretching is a great way to help your body feel relaxed. Just some simple stretches can help the blood flow and calm your mind down.

Of course, the best way to get a restful night’s sleep is to have a mattress that supports you and makes it easy for you to let the stress of the day melt away. If you need a new mattress stop by your local Mattress Hub location. We’re ready to help you start sleeping well and living well.