It can help to be prepared for the next day, so if time is precious in the morning it isn’t wasted finding things, making decisions, becoming short of time and getting flustered. It can also help to settle the mind if you know what you’re doing upon waking… see ‘Morning Routine’ section.
Ask: What practical things need to be done for the next day?
This can include:
- Selecting clothes to wear for work.
- Getting school uniforms (or clothes) ready for the children (this can be part of the children’s bedtime routine).
- Getting out clothes to exercise in, if that’s on the next day’s schedule.
- If exercising at home, have for example; your yoga mat ready, know what workout video you’re using, have any equipment nearby.
- Making packed lunches.
- Do any preparation necessary for breakfast (eg soaking oats, chia, getting out a blender for a smoothie)
- A quick tidy up of the living area and/or kitchen.
There can be more ideas, please work with your client to establish what they need to do to help the next day run smoothly and for them to go to bed with peace of mind.
Also, go gently with your client if they are in a place of overwhelm. Asking them to work with you to do extra tasks, has the potential to be met with resistance, if they view their evening as a place to relax as they are exhausted from the day. Reassurance as to the point of this activity (ie: Be Prepared) is to encourage more ease into their life and consequently better sleep.
Note: these activities don’t have to be done in the wind-down hour, they can be done at any point during the evening.