The Bedtime Routine Every Catholic Needs For A Good Night Sleep

by Faith & Life, Family, Funny

More than one-third of American adults do not get enough sleep on a regular basis, according to the CDC. From having difficulty in performing your daily tasks to unintentionally nodding off in class or, worse, while driving, sleep insufficiency is something worth taking seriously.

While the number of hours you sleep each night is definitely an important factor, our attitudes towards sleep reflect a lot about our attitude towards life in general. All of us, in some way or another, are affected by what one has called “the great acceleration” – where everyday life is put into constant overdrive. Not only do we work longer, play harder, and sleep less, but we struggle to grasp any deeper meaning behind rest in general. Aren’t we just losing time?

From a Catholic perspective, in addition to all health considerations, resting can be a divine act. Remember that on the seventh day God “rested from all his work” (Gen 2:3). Here the Lord voluntarily limits himself and gives space for creation to flourish. Resting is not just about recharging batteries so we can get back on the assembly line. It is that moment of humility and freedom when we let go and trust in our loving Father. Grateful for the good, repentant for the bad, we need to take our hands off the wheel and trust that for those who “love God, all things work together unto good, to such as, according to his purpose…” (Rm 8:28).

Why Is Sleep Important for Spiritual Combat?

While it may not be the first thing that comes to mind, good sleeping habits can be key to spiritual combat. Even Saint Thomas recommended sleep and baths as a remedy for sorrow. Lack of sleep lowers our defenses and leaves us more vulnerable to all sorts of tensions, irritations, and temptations.

The struggle itself of trying to fall asleep can lead people to depend on pills, alcohol, or masturbation. It’s not surprising then that sleep deprivation is shown to affect mental health and can lead to depression or even addiction (HBF).

Start with the Basics

How you sleep can depend a lot on other factors such as your eating habits, exercise, and prayer life. Being fit and healthy not only helps you to better cope when you can’t fit in those 7-8 hours, you are also more likely to get a better quality night’s rest.

  • Good eating habits are proven to help you to sleep better. Check out this “All-Day Diet for a Better Night’s Sleep.”
  • Regular exercise promises almost endless benefits such as decreased stress levels and anxiety. Studies show that it can also improve the quality of your sleep. Timing is important. Morning or afternoon seem to be the best times for exercising while most people (not all) should probably avoid strenuous workouts in the late evening.
  • A consistent prayer life offers important spaces for inner-reflection, forgiveness, and peace, and helps us entrust our worries to the Lord. Meditative prayers such as the Rosary or Divine Mercy Chaplet, in addition to the spiritual benefits, can also help us to regain peace and relax.

Pre-Game Tips

Before getting to the actual routine, here are few things to keep in mind.

  1. Try to go to bed at the same time every night and wake up at the same time each morning. Experts recommend that the ‘go to bed’ windows should be between 10 p.m. and 12 a.m. (no later!). The recommended “wake up time” is 7-8 hours after you get into bed. If this doesn’t work with your schedule, at least try to be consistent in your going to bed and waking up time.
  2. Avoid drinking caffeine after 3 p.m.
  3. Isolate your bedroom (or at least your bed if you are in a small apartment) for sleeping. It’s important that your brain associates your bedroom with sleep. This means that you should avoid things likes watching T.V. or working on the laptop there. 

Start 30 Minutes Before

How many times have you burned through those last few emails or pages in order to finish up right before bed? Then you pull the emergency brake, park yourself in bed and… surprise, surprise, your brainwaves are still bouncing off the walls and you can’t go to sleep.

Peter Litchfield in his Six Steps to Sleep (a highly recommended, easy-to-read book that is the main source for this post), suggests the following: “Start your preparation routine at least 30 minutes before going to bed. Complete at least four of the activities listed above in routine order each night. Take your time. Don’t rush through the routine. Be methodical and enjoy the winding down of the last minutes of your day.”

Respect your routine

In my experience, flight attendants start their “preparation for landing” routine about 20-30 minutes before landing; every time the process is the same. Analogously, maintaining a bedtime routine is a great way to let your body know that it’s about time to land the bird.

Litchfield notes that “when practiced consistently, this routine encourages the brain to move into ‘sleep mode’, releasing melatonin and reducing brainwave activity for relaxation…”

9 Step Bedtime Routine For Catholics

Evidently, each one needs to figure out what routine works best for the lifestyle they live. Here are 9 things I suggest that you try to include in your routine.

1. Lock up the house. Shut all the lights off.

Sleep secure!

 

2. Organize Your Room

Exterior order contributes to interior order. Make sure things are put in their place and prepare what you will need for the morning.

3. Brush your teeth

Ummm…if you’re not doing this already, you defintely should be!

4. Take a hot shower (or at least wash your face)

Shower Sleep

Remember “bath time” when you were a kid? Litchfield says it’s great for adults too: The call for ‘bath time’ meant that it was time to prepare for sleep, and a bath was followed by getting into your pajamas – the final action of the day. This mentally deep-rooted routine can be used to trigger the bed-sleep association in adulthood. Wash away the day by taking a hot shower or bath, or at the very least by washing your face. Think of this activity as if you are washing away the day’s stresses and events from your mind, and of course the day’s dirt from your skin. This cleansing of the day is fundamental in drawing a mental line between day and night.

5. Change into suitable bed clothes

Get comfy and cozy! Unwind from the day by changing into fabrics that soothe your soul. Go for warmth in the winter and something that will keep you cool in the summer.

6. Sip a Soothing Drink

Tea Mug Sleep

“Some people swear by the soothing effects of chamomile tea, even though scientific research on the subject has been mixed. One clinical trial found that chamomile can reduce anxiety in humans, and in large doses, help animals sleep, but more trials need to be conducted to see if the same holds true for humans. A 2011 study published in the journal Emotion suggests that hot drinks might help people feel less lonely and more secure — both factors that can contribute to a good night’s sleep.

If you have an upset stomach late at night, the old wives’ tale that peppermint tea can help might be true, according to 2006 research by scientists at Tufts University. They found peppermint tea to be a digestive aid — it may even have anti-allergenic potential — meaning it can help you drift off to sleep more serenely.” (Everydayhealth)

7. Journal and Make an Examination of Conscience

Journal Sleep

Has it ever happened that just as you lie down, the ceiling suddenly transforms into a billboard reminding you of everything you forgot to do that day? What’s more, all the little worries and anxieties that we managed to keep underneath the rug while we were on the run now resurface. “This is because we push stress to the back of the mind, then, the moment we take leave of a hectic day to lie down and sleep, the associated negative emotions move to the forefront of the mind and we begin to think, dwell, and contemplate.”

Putting things down on paper can help. Litchfield reminds us: Emptying your mind onto a page defragments the brain, helping you to achieve mental clarity and empowering you to move forward. Things always seem far clearer and simpler when they appear in front of our eyes, rather than remaining jumbled up inside the mind – where they lie waiting to move to the forefront of our consciousness the moment we try to go to sleep.

In addition to writing how your day went or what’s been going on in your heart and mind, try to look back at your day and see what God might have been trying to say to you. Recall your triumphs and your defeats. Make a mental note or keep a list of certain weakness or sins that seem to be repeating themselves (keep this for confession).

Finally, put everything in His hands. Pray the publican’s prayer a few times: “O God, be merciful to me a sinner” (Lk 18:13).

8. Night Prayer

Bible Sleep

If you have time, you can incorporate your journaling and examination of conscience into the traditional Compline, or Night Prayer. You can find this prayer on apps like Ibreviary or Universalis. You can also find it online hereIf you would like to learn how to make  good examination of conscience, check out our article here.

9. Have some light night reading.  

@Adobe

Choose something that isn’t going to over-stimulate your brain. Litchfield suggests that “fictional books make for perfect pre-sleep reading because such stories take the mind away from real life problems, helping you to let go of stress and worry.”

I would also suggest adding stories and biographies of saints to your list. Here is a list of 30 that can help you to get started.

What if I can’t go to sleep?

For those who struggle to fall asleep, the worst thing is to get anxious about not being able to sleep. It turns into a vicious cycle.

  • Avoid looking at the clock when you can’t sleep (this just makes your anxiety worse!).
  • If you can’t fall asleep after a long time (estimate 30 minutes), get up and go to another room. Do some light reading. After awhile, go back to bed and give it another shot.

A few thoughts for Married Couples

Married friends have suggested the following:

  • Try to go to bed at the time as your spouse. It promotes unity.
  • Try to keep conversations light and relatively brief. Avoid issues that might cause you to argue.
  • Go over the schedule for the next day.
  • Pray together. Night Prayer (see #8)  could be a good option. 

I hope these suggestions will help you to get a better night’s sleep! Please feel free to leave any comments or tips that have been helpful for you below!

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