5 Things to do Before Bed That Will Start Your Next Day Off Right

Ah bedtime. It feels so good to jump into bed, crawl under the covers, shut the light and let that blessed sleep wash over you.

But not so fast. Before you head off to bed there are some things you should do that will help you to start off your next day just right.

Here are 5 tips from your professional organizer in New York City and don’t worry, they will take you just 5 or 10 minutes and the rewards far outweigh the extra time.

1. Tidy up. Take just a minute or two and go around your home and set things straight for the next day. Pick up any magazines and newspapers that have been left near the sofa or chair and discard them appropriately. Put away any toys, shoes, outerwear or anything else that has a designated space but during the course of the day and evening have not been put away. After all, you don’t want to wake up in the morning to a brand new day and face a mess that was created the day before.
2. Make a “to-do” list for the next day thereby eliminating the worry that you will “forget” what you have to do in the upcoming day. Doing this will free you from “having to remember” and will also allow you to have a more restful sleep. Make the list as comprehensive as possible and place it near your keys or the other items that you scoop up before heading out for the day.
3. The kitchen isn’t everyone’s best friend in the morning. The light is usually bright and there are lots of things to organize when your brain might still be in sleep mode. To make things easier set your coffeemaker the night before and perhaps even set the table or simply take out the plate and bowl that you will use for breakfast. Assemble your breakfast foods and make sure they are easily accessible in the morning. (6AM is no time to be looking for that pear that you KNOW is somewhere in the refrigerator!) And while you’re in the kitchen you might also want to prepare lunch for your children and yourself for the next day and have it packed and ready to grab when everyone leaves the house in the morning.
4. Have difficulty deciding what to wear in the morning? Check out the weather for the next day and plan your wardrobe the night before even going so far as to assembling all of the items and putting them in one convenient location. Have you ever wanted to wear a certain sweater, spent inordinate amounts of time emptying out your drawers while in a rush only to remember that the sweater is in the dry cleaners? We’ve all done it and know that it’s no fun. Spare yourself the needless stress and get everything ready the night before.
5. Put the technology away and place it in silent mode. Make it a point to not check email or voicemail after a certain time of evening and for certain do not keep these items where you sleep. Having these items in your bedroom impacts your ability to fall asleep and we all know that a good night’s sleep helps you to function better the next day.

And lastly, here’s a special tip from your professional organizer in New York City, take a moment to think about what you accomplished during the day and focus on one or two things for which you are grateful. These should be your last thoughts in the night before you drift off to sleep.