For Stellar Sleep, Your Nighttime Routine Should Actually Start In The Morning

We know what you're thinking: Shouldn't a nighttime routine begin, ahem, at night? A valid question, but let's not forget that good sleep hygiene takes consistent effort—which means it can totally extend beyond the evening hours. If you're trying to maximize high-quality sleep, you need to incorporate healthy sleep-promoting behaviors all day long, period and full stop. 

Specifically, Ferira recommends getting some natural light exposure first thing in the morning, as the sun's blue light regulates your natural sleep and wake cycle1. ""I get up, get the largest glass of water, and I look outside," she says (her view in Charleston includes dolphins in the water—swoon). "I'm honoring my sleep that's going to come later in the day by that initial light exposure." 

She also sticks to a morning shower to help any lingering grogginess subside. "I'm not an early riser, so showering is critical for wake-up," she says. For an initial shock to the system, try rinsing with cool water: Research shows that cool morning showers can boost productivity2 throughout the day. Just remember to rinse before bed, too, as an evening cleanse is crucial for washing off daily grime. 

Finally, Ferira prioritizes physical activity during the day (evening works best for her chronotype and schedule), which we know is an important habit for improving sleep. One randomized controlled trial even found that engaging in regular moderate aerobic exercise, like walking or riding a bike, improved sleep quality and reduced the time it took to fall asleep3. Although, you might not want to exercise too close to bedtime (these are morning tips, remember?), as you don't want to get too riled up before tucking into bed.