Unlocking serenity: transform your nights for happier days

There’s a famous saying that almost everyone knows: “Early to bed, early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.” But does it really make sense? What’s freedom if you can’t stay up late and enjoy the silence of the night, away from the hustle and bustle of the day? It’s a time when the world is asleep, with no birds chirping and no adult interactions—just you and your solitude, indulging in a movie with a pizza party or scrolling through Instagram without judgment.

You might think you’ll watch just one 30-minute episode before sleeping, but suddenly it’s 3 AM, and you have to wake up at 8 AM for work. Panic sets in as you realize the time. You close the laptop, attempting to sleep, but the anxiety hits hard, racing your thoughts. You toss and turn, and an hour passes without rest. This isn’t what you planned. Now, you worry about the next day: how you won’t be able to function properly, your mood will be affected, and you’ll have to chug down liters of coffee to survive.
Welcome to adulthood, where your problems often go unnoticed, and you must fulfill your responsibilities regardless of what you’re going through. Who cares how you spent your time? You’re being paid for it, and you have to do what’s expected of you. It’s exhausting just to think about it. Was it worth it—the endless scrolling or that last episode? Was it worth the heart palpitations and the coffee overload that could lead to a panic attack?

Let’s be clear: this blog isn’t pointing fingers at anyone else. We’re all guilty of this. In fact, this is more a self-reflection than a critique of anyone else. It’s a reminder that the stress of the next day isn’t worth it. Coming home after a tiring day and realizing I need to change things for a more productive tomorrow is crucial. Because let’s be honest, that last episode wasn’t worth the day I had to spend feeling drained.

So, here’s the takeaway: make a plan. Consider what changes you can implement to help yourself. It’s like the saying goes: “Help me help you.” First things first:

Happy Hormones

Let’s talk about hormones and their impact on how we function in daily life. There are at least four hormones responsible for our happiness. Hormones are produced by the brain and are the body’s chemical messengers; they control everything from how your body functions to how we feel about things and experiences in our daily lives. Dopamine is the rewarding chemical released when you achieve something. It could be a random task, but it can boost dopamine in your brain, creating the happiness of achieving a goal.
Oxytocin, serotonin, and endorphins are similar, but in order to feel them, you need to make changes. Instagram wouldn’t bring that feeling. So, what will? Let’s start simple: the time you spend at night before sleeping has a major impact. If your night routine is relaxing and brings you peace and contentment, just think about what it will do for the rest of your day.

Create a Night-time Routine

Eating Before Bed:
Don’t! If you care for your gut health, avoid eating at least three hours before you go to bed. Heartburn, bloating, and uncomfortable tossing and turning in bed can lead to weird dreams—because let’s face it, when your gut isn’t happy, neither is your brain. This results in a restless next day. Have a light supper and a cup of tea before bed. This calms down your nervous system and also aids digestion, like mint tea.

Make a Ritual:
Not like magic, but more about having time to yourself before the day ends. Take a warm bath and relax in the water, or sit in bed with a nightlight on and read a book with a cup of mint tea. The aroma will be so refreshing that when you finish your tea, you’ll want to rest your head on a soft pillow and experience a deep, peaceful slumber. Or, establish a skincare routine and do some body stretches to release the tension from your body similar to your face. Personally, I do all four before bed. Why not?

Skincare Routine
An extensive skincare routine isn’t necessary. A moisturizer with ceramides and hyaluronic acid is good enough. Damp your face and apply a thick layer of moisturizer, then lean back and massage your facial muscles. They’ve been through a lot—fake smiling and clenching. Your hands are best for this; you don’t need fancy tools. Massage your jaw muscles to relax them, then focus on your cheekbones and, most importantly, your neck muscles. There are many routines available online and on YouTube for lymphatic drainage for your face. Trust me, if you do this regularly, it not only relaxes you, but the effects on your features are truly appreciable. It helps drain water retention over time and slims down the face.

Do this skincare routine in the morning, but please add sun protection to the routine because sun damage and skin cancer are serious issues and a topic for another blog.

Getting into Bed
Get yourself a good book. It could be on anything that interests you—art, interior décor, pets, gardening, cooking, or just a fantasy story you’d like to read before bed. Whatever you enjoy, grab a cup of tea, settle in with your book, and relax your mind. Keep outside thoughts outside your bedroom, take a deep breath, and unwind. It’s time to sleep—a deep, peaceful sleep—so you can start the next day wonderfully.