Mehmet K.If you do not have a nightstand by your bed, you should definitely get one. I feel like it’s just as necessary for my sleep schedule as a pillow is, at this point; it is what allows me to get rest when I lay my head down at night, and what enables me to rise and be productive in the morning. It is the storage solution for many of my nightly rituals, and the repository of some of my most needed possessions come morning. It’s like the adult version of a school desk: it has everything I need, and many things I probably don’t, but it provides me significant comfort. Here is what is on my nightstand, and why it matters.
Pen and Notepad
I don’t know about you, but when I go to bed, I often find that my mind is racing, and I have too many thoughts racing around in my head to effectively shut my brain off and go to sleep. The absolute worst thing, to me, is when you have a sleepy idea that is actually good, because then I feel obligated to commit that idea to memory. That is where my trusty notepad comes into play.
That is where my notepad and journal come into play. If you have a thought you think is worth saving for later, then having a notepad is a lifesaver. You can grab your pen, commit your idea to paper, and then resume the process of drifting into a heavy and restful sleep. While some would contend that memories you have to write down weren’t that important, in my experience, the opposite is true. Bedtime is when I have my best ideas, and I am always thankful that I have a notepad ready when my brainstorms start. To me, listening to my mind at its most inspired times is vitally important for my continued creative process.
Bottle of Water
There is nothing better after a long day than having a nice, cold bottle of water ready at your bedside table. This allows you to take any medication, coat a dry throat, or to simply keep up on your hydration. No matter how my day went, I will always be happy to have a spare refreshment ready at my side when I lay my head down at night. If you are feeling especially fancy, you can replace that bottle of water with flavored or sparkling water, or just about any other beverage you can think of. The world is your bottled beverage.
For me, personally, having easy access to liquids ensures I will always be closer (or even surpass) my daily hydration quota. Personally, I try to drink around 3 liters of water a day — as recommended by the Mayo Clinic — to keep my body functioning at peak shape. Having an easily accessible bottle of water makes this much easier, and that is why having one on my bedside table is a must for me.
Reading Material
Whether it’s an instruction manual, magazine, comic book, or a novel, having something in print — or, barring that, an e-Reader — to tide you over at night is a great idea. While reading is often entertaining and educational, it can also provide some great health benefits, as well. According to research published in the journal “Social Science & Medicine,” book readers live about two years longer than non-book readers on average. This means that reading books could reduce your risk of death by up to 20% over the ensuing decade compared to those who don’t. Personally, however, I read books to broaden my mind. When I undergo a literary adventure, I am bound to come out the other side more informed, engaged, and curious than I previously was. Books, more than any other kind of media, are a portal to new knowledge and discoveries.
Conclusion
Our bedside tables are a repository of things we need or want to access before finally drifting to sleep. Whether it’s a notepad for jotting down my sleepy thoughts, a bottle of water to help hydrate me, or some reading material to help keep my mind expanding and engaged, my bedside table helps me access what I need most in the moment. If you are looking for more articles on lifestyle, wellness, or nutrition, check out our other blogs!
