Dusk Re-PACK'D: Optimize your evening routine
We’ve been hearing a lot of people that don’t feel like they’re getting the most out of their evening routine, or just generally have a lot of Dusk packs left-over. Feeling like your morning routine is working out better than your evening routine? Here are some tips to get the most out of your evenings!
1. DO ONE THING YOU REALLY LOVE
Your brain relaxes when you do something that you like to do. This doesn’t mean lying on the couch like a potato and binging on your favorite show. It means stimulating your brain by making yourself happy. This improves your cognitive alertness, productivity and puts you in a safe zone where you can enjoy yourself for the time being. Oprah Winfrey and other known people proudly confess their love for reading just before bedtime. Oprah reads about whatever interest she has at the moment. Just a few minutes before she lands on the bed, she writes down things she is extremely grateful for.
2. ELIMINATE NEGATIVITY
This brings us to our second tip: no negativity! The moment you hit the bed, your mind starts racing about debts to pay, papers to submit, meetings to attend. And because of this, it becomes increasingly difficult to sleep. The brain is continuously working over hours and getting confused whether it’s time to rest or work. Since during the day you’ll be focused on taking action, you can take a moment to slow down and assess how things are going at night before bed.
3. PREPARE YOUR DAY
Successful people don’t have time to wonder what they’re going to wear each day which is why it’s best to keep a small capsule wardrobe and pick out your outfits a few days in advance if possible. This may sound like a small and insignificant task but it will save you time and decision-making energy that could better be used in other areas of your life. Mornings can get busy, so it’s best to plan and prep all your meals the night before if possible. That way, you won’t have to worry about wasting your money ordering food during the day. Preparation might also mean placing your Dusk and Dawn pack strategically, like next to your bed, near the refrigerator or in the bathroom.
4. MAKE YOUR BED
Navy Seal Admiral William McRaven swears by making your bed in the morning: “Making the bed is about getting up and doing something with discipline. But it's an easy task to undertake – easier than an hour-long run or doing an hour's worth of weight training. You roll out of bed, you just put your bed, you make it straight. It's not just about kind of throwing the covers over the pillow. It's about making your bed right and walking away and going. And that gives a sense of fulfillment as if anything you do that day will work.”
5. AVOID BAD HABITS
Avoid alcohol, cigarettes, and heavy metals in the evening. Alcohol, cigarettes and caffeine can disrupt sleep. Eating big or spicy meals can cause discomfort from indigestion that can make it hard to sleep. If you can, avoid eating large meals for two to three hours before bedtime. Try a light snack 45 minutes before bed if you’re still hungry.
6. FINISH WITH PACK’D
When day turns to night, take the Dusk pack during dinner to end the day right with a dose of Greens, Bones, Immune and Digest. During your sleep, your body slips into regeneration mode. By giving your body the proper tools to rebuild, you’ll also feel better in the morning. It’s like building a house: you can work 5 times a week – putting in 50 hours – and eventually never finish building the house if the material you’re working with isn’t right. With the right bricks and knowledge, you might just finish building by working 3x a week for a few hours.
