😲 5 Surprising Daytime Habits That Improve Your Sleep

I love what I do—building a brand, running my business, wearing all the hats. But I’ve also learned that to do it well, I need to sleep well.

Over time, I discovered that good sleep doesn’t start at bedtime. It starts quietly during the day, in small moments we often overlook. These 5 habits aren’t your usual advice—they’re a little quirky, totally doable, and surprisingly effective.

Try one (or all), and see how much better you sleep—and feel. 🌙

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1️⃣ Schedule “Nothing Time” on Purpose

When your day is filled with tasks, messages, and to-dos, it’s easy to forget what it feels like to do... absolutely nothing. But that pause? It matters.

I started blocking off 15–30 minutes a day labeled simply: Nothing Time. No phone. No errands. No productivity. I just sit, sip something warm, or stare out the window.

It’s not about laziness. It’s about giving your nervous system a rest, long before bedtime rolls around. It’s a break for your brain, and it makes all the difference come evening.

Try this:

• Block out “Nothing Time” in your calendar today—even just 15 minutes.
• Protect it. Don’t fill it. Let your mind wander, your breath slow down, and your pace soften.

For more ways to ease into your day, explore our post on Own Your Mornings: 5 Calm Productivity Habits.

 

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2️⃣ Do Something Creative (With No Goal Attached)

 

So much of our day is centered around getting things done. But not everything needs a result. One of the best things I’ve started doing? Creating without a goal.

Sometimes that means rearranging a shelf, tidying a drawer, or reading something just because it feels good—not because it’s productive. It’s a reset for the mind.

When I carve out 20–30 minutes to do something quietly creative, I’m calmer, less rushed, and more grounded by the time evening rolls in. That ease follows me all the way to bed.

Try this:

• Set aside time for a small creative activity—rearrange, write, doodle, bake, or read something light.
• No pressure. No outcome. Just flow.

Need inspiration for creating a serene space? Check out A Weekly Decluttering Routine That Works: 5 Steps.

 

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3️⃣ Do One Task Slower Than You Need To

 

We all know how to speed up. But slowing down? That’s an art.

Pick one everyday task—washing dishes, folding laundry, brushing your hair—and do it deliberately slower. Pay attention to your breath, the texture of what you're touching, the sound around you.

It might feel strange at first, but that gentle slowing starts to rewire your pace for the rest of the day. When your body knows how to downshift, falling asleep feels more natural.

Try this:

• Choose one task today and do it slowly. Really slowly.
• Notice how your body and mind respond. You may feel more at ease than you expected.

 

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4️⃣ Talk to Someone Who Makes You Feel Safe

Sleep isn’t just physical—it’s emotional, too. And when we carry the weight of unspoken worries or bottled-up stress, it often shows up at night.

I’ve found that even a brief, honest connection with someone I trust makes a huge difference. A quick voice note, a chat with a friend, a moment of feeling heard—it clears out tension and settles the heart.

It doesn’t need to be deep. It just needs to be real.

Try this:

• Reach out to someone who makes you feel grounded.
• Send a message, share a thought, or ask how they’re doing.
• Let it be a small act of mutual care.

 

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5️⃣ Look at the Sky (Without Your Phone)

Here’s a habit that surprised me the most. Once a day, I step outside—just for a minute or two—and I look up.

That’s it. I look at the sky. No phone. No scrolling. No capturing the moment. Just being in it.

There’s something quietly powerful about seeing the sky shift—clouds floating, colors changing, light fading. It resets your perspective. You remember that the world is big, and not everything needs to be solved right now.

And that lightness? It carries into the night.

Try this:

• Step outside for a sky-gazing moment today.
• Look up. Breathe. Let go.
• Let it be a gentle cue to unwind.

 

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🌙 A Better Night Begins Long Before Bed

You don’t have to overhaul your routine. You don’t need to buy fancy sleep aids. Sometimes, the best way to sleep better is to live softer—to find small, quiet ways to create space during your day.

Try one of these 5 habits and see what shifts. You might fall asleep faster. You might wake up more refreshed. Or you might just feel a little more at peace.

Either way, you’re giving your body and mind what they truly need: a chance to rest, not just at night—but all day long.

💬 Got a quirky daytime habit that helps you sleep better? I’d love to hear it. Share it in the comments or DM anytime.

For more insights on creating a restful environment, explore 7 Steps to Creating a Mindful Bedroom Sanctuary.