7 Bedtime Habits of Successful People

You may not be seeking fame and fortune, but it’s hard to ignore those who are. Celebrities and public figures have very busy lives. It’s taxing to work yourself to the top, and even harder to keep yourself there. At the end of the day, these people are human like you, and this holds true for the way they sleep. Their habits contribute to their success, and you may learn a thing or two taking examples from people who shine in their fields.

1. Give Yourself a Bed Time

Actress Cheryl Hines, known for her role on Curb Your Enthusiasm, has been plagued by insomnia for years. She found it hard to fall asleep and stay asleep throughout the night. Speaking with her doctor, she remedied this problem by instituting a regular bedtime and limiting physical activity before sleep.

Having a bedtime will keep you from overwhelming yourself, engaging your mind in tasks when you most need it to relax. Planning your night and understanding what things to save for tomorrow will ease night time stress.

2. Plan to Get Enough Sleep

Jennifer Lopez looks half her age, and she swears the secret to her vitality is her sleep. J.Lo aims to get at least eight hours of sleep a night to allow her body enough time to recharge and repair itself. Getting enough sleep is more than just a beauty secret – it will also keep you healthy.

Giving yourself a bed time doesn’t work unless you schedule it properly. If you want to aim for eight hours of sleep, and you know what time you need to wake up for work, you need to take these factors into account.

3. Keep a Journal By Your Bed

Former American Idol star and pop icon Kelly Clarkson makes the most of her bedtime habits by keeping a journal on her bedside table. The singer claims she often feels inspired to write songs as she’s decompressing from her day, winding down to go to sleep.

Instead of letting things swim around your head and keep you up, explore your brain as you begin to relax. Even if you aren’t doing something creative, you can jot down things you’d like to remember, or reflect on your day instead.

4. Ban Electronics from the Bed

Ariana Huffington, founder of the Huffington Post, was forced to make some lifesaving changes. In 2007, the journalist suffered injuries as she collapsed from exhaustion. To curb her temptation to work or research from bed, Huffington does not allow phones, kindles, or iPads under the covers with her.

While electronics do serve as a distraction to restful sleep, there may be more implications than you think. Scientists have found a link between blue light frequency emitted by electronics, and a disruption of sleep schedules.

5. Get In Some Leisurely Reading

Love him or hate him, Barrack Obama certainly has a chaotic job. As president of the United States of America, he faces an unbelievable amount of stress throughout the day. His favorite way to clear his mind long enough to get some shut-eye? Catching up on his reading.

Reading fiction of your choice can allow you to remove yourself from the stresses of your day, creating an enriching experience by providing a small escape. You’re also engaging your creativity, which can prevent you from feeling burnt out after a hard day.

6. Be Careful with Caffeine

Elon Musk has a lot going on for him. So much so, he was the inspiration behind the screen characterization of Iron Man. His work with Tesla motors keeps him pretty active, and as a result of that, Musk found himself taking in a ridiculous amount of caffeine. This affected his sleep so much that he reportedly reduced his intake to about two cans of Diet Coke per day.

Caffeine is a stimulant, and you can’t expect to get quality sleep if you’re stimulated. Try cutting out all caffeine four to six hours before bed, and you may find that you begin to sleep better.

7. Create a Ritual

Our bodies respond to routines, and this is the philosophy behind Cameron Diaz’s bedtime ritual. In her book, The Body Book, she outlines everything she does leading up to bedtime, and she runs the same routine every night.

Having a routine can help your body recognize that you’re preparing to sleep. Having a process of winding down can prevent burnout and fatigue. You’re more likely to get restful sleep as your body has had time to prepare itself.

Sleep may seem evasive at times, but it’s one of the most important things in our lives. There’s no way to function without the right amount of quality sleep. You’ll do better at work and school, and you’ll be physically healthier.