Articles
Evening Habits That Will Make You More Productive
You no doubt have read numerous articles and tips of how you can be more productive every morning. Did you know that your evening habits are just as important, if not even more so as your morning routine! After all, your evening routine is a great way to set yourself up for the following day.
While I still highly recommend getting up early enough each morning to journal, read and do some exercise. The following evening habits are equally as important if you want to be more productive and get the most out of every day.
Read
While most people switch on their televisions as soon as they get home in the evening, to catch up on the latest talent show or soap opera. I highly recommend that you get into the more positive habit of reading for at least 30 minutes every evening. Do you have some great books that you haven’t read in years? Maybe you could dust them off and start reading them again! Or you could go online and invest in a few new books to start reading. Better still, you could always go to your local book store for some inspiration and pick up some great new books there. Almost every successful person is an avid reader. Reading is a great way to keep your mind healthy and sharp and also lower stress levels. So each evening, instead of reaching for the television remote control, reach for a great book.
Reflect
“How was your day?” This is a popular question many of us get asked when we get home after work. But really, how was your day? Did you get all of your tasks done? Did you achieve your goals for the day? Did you come up with any ideas? How could today have gone better? What were your achievements? Taking just a few minutes each evening to reflect on how your day went is a great learning and motivational tool. I use The Five Minute Journal, this wonderful journal has spaces for both the morning and the evening to keep you on track with your goals and tasks in a simple to use format.
Relax
Many of us relax in different ways. For some it can mean walking or exercising in the gym, for others it may be a Yoga class helps them to unwind, for others it might be meditation is their favorite way to relax. Whatever works for you, do it! I like to mix things up, mostly I will exercise with some light weights at home or go for a fast walk in the local park and take in the fresh air. Other times I might use my singing bowl for five minutes or so to help me totally relax and unwind. Including time to relax each evening has so many benefits, from helping you to sleep better at night to helping to reduce stress, anxiety and even depression.
Unplug
How often do you check your phone each day? According to comScore’s 2017 report, the average American adult (18+) spends 2 hours, 51 minutes on their smartphone every day. That’s about 86 hours a month! Why not get into the productive daily habit of not using your phone for a least an hour before you go to bed. This will help you to fall asleep quicker and free up more time to read, exercise and generally be more productive. It might seem tough to give up your phone before bed at first, but it will pay off in the long run.
Prepare
Each evening, take just a few minutes to prepare a healthy lunch rather than going for the Footlong and a coffee option. Perhaps get into the habit of taking a few minutes each evening to get your clothes ready for the following day and perhaps ironing your shirt. This will free up more time in the morning, and also stop the mad morning dash to get ready before running out of the door.
Ditch The Coffee And Evening Snacks
Do you drink coffee in the evening? This habit is effecting how you sleep, feel and in turn how much rest that you are getting each night. If you constantly feel tired in the morning is it because you were up half the night watching Netflix helped with a steady flow of coffee? When you drink coffee in the evening or eat late-night snacks, it keeps you in the lighter stages of sleep and prevents you from falling into a deeper, more restorative sleep. You should get into the habit of not drinking coffee or snacking for least a few hours before your bedtime.
Benefits of Evening Routine
As you can see, most of these tips are quite easy to include into your evening routine, and the productivity payoffs can be massive. By following these simple tips, you will be reading more books, you could be learning new skills and keeping your brain healthy and more alert. You will also be improving your general fitness, reducing any stress and anxiety. And by using a journal each evening, you will be keeping on target with your goals and tasks that need to be done each day. Finally, by following these simple evening habits you should also start to sleep better at night and generally feel more rested.