THE LAST HOUR.
Good sleep rarely begins at bedtime — it begins sixty minutes earlier. This week's session is a simple evening routine designed to encourage better sleep habits, one gentle cue at a time.
The T–60 wind-down
Set a quiet alarm one hour before your chosen bedtime. Then let the hour unfold like this:
Dim the house
Lower the lights — lamps instead of ceiling lights, warm instead of white. Softer light in the evening helps signal to your body that the day is ending.
Close the kitchen, open the teapot
Finish eating and switch to a caffeine-free herbal tea — chamomile, rooibos or lemon balm. Small ritual, clear boundary.
Screens down, rituals up
Park the phone to charge outside the bedroom if you can. Swap scrolling for a paper book, gentle stretching, skincare, or tomorrow's three-line to-do list.
Prepare the bedroom
Cool, dark, quiet. Crack a window or set the AC around 18–20°C, draw the curtains fully, and put tomorrow's water glass by the bed.
Breathe yourself down
In bed, lights out, practise the 4·6 breath below until it feels like drifting.
The 4·6 breath
A simple rhythm — inhale for four counts, exhale for six. Longer exhales may help promote a sense of calm and relaxation before sleep.
Through the nose, low into the belly.
No strain — just a comma, not a full stop.
Slow, through pursed lips, shoulders melting.
Repeat for ten rounds, or until the counting blurs.
A bedroom that works for you
Five small upgrades, in order of impact. Pick one to act on this week.
- Cool it down. Aim for roughly 18–20°C — a cooler room supports the body's natural evening temperature dip.
- Darken it fully. Blackout curtains or a soft sleep mask; cover standby LEDs.
- Quiet the edges. Earplugs or a low fan / white-noise hum can soften a noisy street.
- Charge the phone elsewhere. Across the room counts. Outside the door is better.
- Reserve the bed. Sleep and rest only — no laptop, no inbox, so the bed keeps meaning "off duty".
If nights feel warmer lately
Many women notice sleep changes and night-time warmth during the menopausal years. Breathable cotton or linen bedding, a cooler room, layered blankets you can shed, and a consistent wind-down can all help support more comfortable nights. If disrupted sleep persists, it's worth a conversation with your doctor.Tomorrow starts tonight
Morning light
WITHIN 1 HOURStep outside or open the curtains wide soon after waking. Morning daylight helps anchor your body clock — which makes the next evening easier too.
Caffeine curfew
AFTER 2 P.M. — SWITCHEnjoy your coffee in the morning; from early afternoon, move to decaf or herbal so caffeine isn't lingering at bedtime.
Consistent wake time
±30 MINUTESKeeping your wake-up steady — even on weekends — is one of the kindest things you can do for your sleep rhythm.
Move during the day
ANY MOVEMENT COUNTSThis week's workouts, a walk, gardening — daytime activity supports deeper, easier rest at night.
This content is for general educational purposes only and is not medical advice. If you have ongoing sleep difficulties, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.