The little rituals that prepare you for sleep
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Origami, cleaning countertops and talking to plants – here are some ways people wind down for the evening.
ILLUSTRATION: CAMILLA PINTONATO/NYTIMES
Amanda Schupak
- People use various calming rituals before sleep, such as meditation, puzzles, talking to plants, or listening to audiobooks, to relax and prepare their minds.
- Many share tender moments with loved ones or engage in simple, soothing activities to mark the end of their day and ease into rest.
- These personal bedtime routines help improve sleep quality by reducing stress and creating a peaceful transition from wakefulness to sleep.
AI generated
NEW YORK – Sometimes sleep advice can feel like a lot of what not to do. Don’t drink coffee after 2pm. Avoid your phone for at least 30 minutes before bed. Never sleep in.
But there are rules and then there is reality, and we wanted to understand how people were actually spending the final moments of their days.
