As mothers, we often find ourselves wrapped up in the hustle and bustle of daily life, constantly attending to the needs of our children, employers, partners, and homes. Amidst this whirlwind, it's easy to forget about our own well-being. This week, I kicked off the first session of Mum’s Bedtime Ritual course, a 4-week program designed to help mothers introduce a healthy evening routine that allows for some much-needed me-time, reconnection with our bodies, and ultimately, restful sleep.
In our inaugural session, we delved into the importance of self-reflection. Why start here? Because self-reflection is a critical first step in ending destructive habits and making way for something new and nourishing—in this case, a rejuvenating evening routine.
The Power of Self-Reflection
Scientific studies have shown that reflective self-assessment is pivotal in closing the intention-behavior gap—the discrepancy between what we plan to do and what we actually do. Self-reflection enhances self-awareness, helping us identify potential obstacles and adjust our behaviors accordingly.
How Self-Reflection Can Transform Your Evening Routine
Consider the example of struggling to fall asleep due to racing thoughts. Through self-reflection, you might recognize that these thoughts are linked to a WhatsApp conversation you had about an upcoming weekend trip. This realization could lead you to decide that disconnecting from your devices an hour before bed might help you fall asleep faster. Or you might notice an annoying noise from the fridge, prompting you to use earplugs.
Tools for Self-Reflection
Self-reflection can be practiced in various ways, including meditation, journaling but it can also be as simple as lying in bed, closing your eyes, and taking deep abdominal breaths to bring your attention inward. This simple act can plant the seed for significant changes, such as realizing the need to disconnect from digital devices before bed or addressing small but impactful environmental distractions.
Practice and Progress
As you incorporate self-reflection into your evening routine, you'll start to notice small yet powerful shifts. By tuning into your needs and obstacles, you'll be better equipped to make changes that promote better sleep and overall well-being. Practice this simple but powerful tool, and you will see that magic will happen.
If you need some help in practicing self-reflection to introduce changes in your evening routine, I have designed a special Evening Routine Reflection Sheet that can be downloaded here. This sheet will guide you through the process, helping you to create a nourishing evening routine tailored to your needs.
Join us in this journey towards better self-care and restful nights. Embrace the power of self-reflection, and watch as your evenings transform into a time of tranquility and rejuvenation.
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