So sleep is something I’ve had a love hate relationship throughout my life. As a child I despised it, I would scream and shout when put to bed and would refuse to go unless someone stayed with me and read to me until I fell asleep. As I’ve grown older, however, probably starting somewhere around my teenage years, my bed has become my favourite place and sleep my best friend. Though I sometimes still struggle to fall asleep I’m a heavy sleeper so once I’m out, I’m out and not much will wake me. In terms of my bedtime routine when I’m at university I don’t really have one. My schedule is varied throughout the week meaning I go to bed at different times every day with varying amounts of time to get ready for sleep. So, I’m going to tell you about my bedtime routine when, on the rare occasion these days, I go home.
My family will typically end the night sat around watching the television, usually whatever programme is on BBC One, and when the ten o’clock news starts we gradually migrate upstairs. I walk into my room, turn on my main light, draw my curtains and turn on my bedside lamp. From here I’ll put my phone next to my bed and change into my pyjamas, putting my dirty clothes in my wash basket and the clean ones on my ‘everything goes here’ chair. I then take off my jewellery, starting with my rings, then watch, necklace and earrings, followed by removing my make-up. Next I venture to my bathroom, picking up my tooth brush on the way as it’s more than likely on charge. Here I wee, brush my teeth and fill up my water bottle (in that order), after which I go back to bedroom. I turn of the main light, remove all the cushions and blankets from by bed and place my glasses next to my jewellery. I now get into bed and pick up my phone to watch pointless YouTube videos and scroll through social media until my eyes can’t stay open anymore. At this point I’ll put my phone on charge, turn off my lamp and toss and turn until I eventually fall asleep.
E.R.