You just had a long and successful day of being your best self and now it’s time to wind down for the night and get some well deserved rest.
Many people I know are workaholics and may tend to bring their work home with them. At times there’s no way around it, practicing lines, making sure you get a verse just right for a solo, or like myself writing a blog about the industry itself, but it is crucial to find a steady work-life balance so if you must, start by making a priority list from most crucial to get done to what can be picked back up the next day if needed.
Once you're finished with work and have had a healthy dinner at the time of your choosing make sure to do a quick tidy-up around your space to make sure you’re waking up the next day to a clean environment. The success in the consistency and organization of your day starts the night before.
At least an hour before heading to bed try to start dimming lights and shutting off screens as it can restrain your body's production of melatonin and shift your circadian rhythm. Good sleep hygiene is top priority. If your body doesn’t have the time to regenerate, rest and recover from the day you won't have as fresh of a start to your next one.
Before going to bed I tend to get antsy and anxious about being set for the next day so I like to prepare what I can the night before. Whether it’s lunch, my outfit, or my bag is always a plus but if not I do make sure to leave some sort of to-do list that doesn't have to be neat at all as a sort of “catch for all” of what I think I may forget in my morning haze.
As you get close to calling it in, lighting a candle or some incense (lavender is the best for calming) and doing any more shifts in lighting is a good way to keep transitioning the evening to signal to your body that it's time to rest. Encouraging and changing the environment around you especially helps if you're trying to change your sleep schedule or have found yourself having trouble sleeping. Along with some comfy clothes, some light reading or journaling to end off the night. My favorite part of the night is the moments before drifting off, when you look up try to recall 1 thing about your day (doesn’t have to be anything specific and it can even be a bit negative), 2 things you want to do better (can’t be mean, it must come with grace to yourself), and 3 things you’re grateful for. The practice of gratitude is so important and can be the seed to creating a happier, more fulfilling life. And of course remember that making and breaking habits is a hard thing to do and takes time making small changes over time can make all the difference and get you closer to the life you want to lead.
Ali Esmeralda Marin
Broadway Bound Live Season 2
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