It can be tough to fall asleep if you have insomnia, are a night owl, or are simply anxious about the upcoming day. If you find yourself tossing and turning at night, here are 7 productive things to do at night if you can’t sleep to make the most of your time.
If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably had those nights where you just can’t seem to fall asleep no matter what you do.
You’ve tried reading, watching TV, and even counting sheep, but nothing seems to work. We all know how it feels to toss and turn at night, unable to get a single wink of sleep.
And as the minutes turn into hours, you start to feel more and more frustrated, especially if you have things to do the next day.
Instead of lying in bed awake all night, why not use that time to do something productive? Here are 7 productive things you can do at night if you can’t sleep.
7 Productive Things To Do At Night If You Can’t Sleep
Here are 7 productive things to do at night if you can’t sleep:
1. Plan the week’s to-do list.
If you can’t sleep, plan your week’s to-do list, so you feel more organized and prepared for the week ahead and hit the ground running as soon as you wake up every day.
Make a list of all the tasks you need to complete and schedule when you’ll do them. Seeing everything written out will help ease any anxiety you have about the week ahead.
Start by brainstorming all the tasks and errands you need to do in the upcoming week. Once you have a list, prioritize each item by order of importance; categorize them by urgency and importance. And then add them to your calendar or day planner.
2. Get ahead of work for the next day or week.
Use the time to get ahead on work for the next day or week; start by taking a look at your upcoming deadlines and see if there’s anything you can do to get a head start; catch up on emails, work on a presentation, or finish a report.
If you have any reports or presentations due, use this time to work on them; getting ahead on work will help reduce your stress levels and make you more productive.
3. Meal prep for the current or upcoming week.
Meal prepping is one of the best ways to save time and money, and it’s also a great way to eat healthier. If you can’t sleep, use the time to meal prep for the current or upcoming week.
Start by planning your meals for the week and making a grocery list of all the ingredients you’ll need. Once you have everything you need, use this time to cook and prepare your meals.
You can prep breakfast, lunch, and dinner for the entire week or just a few days. Some easy recipes you can make ahead of time include overnight oats, quinoa salads, roasted vegetables, soup, chilli, and chicken.
4. Do housework.
It may not be the most fun way to spend your time, but doing housework – like cleaning or organizing – it’s a productive way to use that time.
Start by cleaning the living room, home office, bathroom or kitchen, doing some laundry, dusting, vacuuming, and mopping the floors.
Or, if you’ve been meaning to organize your closet, going through your closet and getting rid of clothes you don’t wear anymore or donate items you no longer need.
Perhaps, instead of organizing your closet, you’d rather organize your home office, pantry, or junk drawer.
5. Catch up on your reading.
If you’re someone who loves to read and there’s a book you’ve been meaning to read or an article you’ve been wanting to get to, now is the perfect time to do it!
Start by reading a few pages of a book you’re currently reading, or pick up a new book from the library.
If you’re looking to improve yourself – because, let’s face it, we all are – use this time to read a book on personal development or self-improvement.
Many great books can help you learn new skills or habits, such as The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, How to Win Friends and Influence People, and The Power of Habit.
Maybe you’re into non-fiction and biographies, so you can start reading about someone you admire or want to learn more about, like Steve Jobs, Jeff Bezos, or Bill Gates.
If you’re unsure what to read, ask a friend for recommendations or check out some online booklists.
6. Or listen to an educational podcast or audiobook.
If you’re not big on reading or don’t have the time, consider listening to an educational podcast or audiobook.
Podcasts are a great way to learn new things or hear other people’s stories and experiences while doing other things, like cleaning the house or working out. t
There are tons of different podcasts – on every topic imaginable – out there for every interest, from history to business to fiction. Some of our favorites include The Tim Ferriss Show, How I Built This and TED Talks Daily.
7. Take some time for yourself.
In today’s fast-paced world, we have so much to do yet so little time to do it, and taking time off for yourself can seem impossible when that time can be used to get ahead at work or check things off your to-do list.
But, it’s important to take some time for yourself to relax and unwind, especially if you’re feeling stressed or anxious. If you can’t sleep, use that time to do something calming and relaxing, like taking a bath, doing some yoga or meditation, or writing in a journal.
Start by running a warm bath and adding soothing aromatherapy, or add a few drops of lavender oil to a diffuser.
If you don’t have a bathtub, no problem! You can still do some yoga or meditation; there are tons of great yoga videos on YouTube, or you can use a meditation app like Headspace or Calm.
And, if you love to write, use this time to journal; writing down your thoughts and feelings can help you reduce stress and anxiety.
If you’re looking for ideas on how to spend your day off, here’s a list of 19 ways to best do so.
If you’re struggling to sleep at night, there are plenty of productive things you can do to make the most of your time.
From meal prepping and doing housework to reading and taking some time for yourself, there are plenty of ways to stay productive when you can’t sleep and use that time wisely.
So, next time you find yourself awake in the middle of the night, don’t just lie in bed frustrated – get up and work on something productive; use that time to your advantage and get things done.
On that note, if you’re a homebody who doesn’t want to leave the comfort of your bed, don’t worry – there are plenty of productive things you can do from the coziness of your sheets in your free time.
