Creating a night routine can be a game changer for your overall well-being and productivity. If you still have not started incorporating one, I’d suggest you give it a try to include little changes to your existing routine to see the transformation yourself.
5 Essential elements for a transformative night routine
A night routine is a little more than a prelude to sleep, it is a ritual that sets the tone for a good night’s rest and a productive tomorrow. Here are five things to be included in your night regimen.
UNWIND WITH A DIGITAL DETOX
In the hour before bedtime, disconnect from all digital devices. The blue light emitted from the device interferes with the circadian rhythm of your body and makes it harder to sleep. Instead, you can meditate, read a book, or do deep breathing exercises to signal the body that it is time to wind down.
REFLECT ON THE DAY
Take a moment to reflect on the day. What went well? What could be improved? Maintaining a journal will help process thoughts and feelings, setting you up for a clearer mind in the morning.
PREPARE FOR TOMORROW
Lay out your clothes, prepare your lunch plan, or write down a to-do list for the next day. This can reduce your stress in the morning and give you a sense of control.
SKINCARE ROUTINE
The skin repairs itself during the night. Following a skincare routine is crucial. Cleanse your face to remove impurities and apply a moisturizer to help rejuvenate your skin.
CREATE A SLEEP-INDUCING ENVIRONMENT
Make sure your bedroom is conducive. This would mean having a comfortable mattress, a cool temperature, and minimal light and noise. Consider using blackout curtains, ear plugs, and white noise machines if necessary.
Always remember that consistency is the key. A night routine should be a staple and not an afterthought. Sweet dreams and productive days await those who invest in their nightly habits.
Cookbooks have found a special place in my TBR of late. Not only do I get to learn new recipes, I also get to understand different uses of each ingredient and even techniques of cooking them. Some cookbooks help you to plunge into a journey of holistic health. For a lot of people like me who want to start eating a healthy meal but not sure how to start or what to cook these books have contributed to handhold you and make you take that step towards a healthy life. Here are some cookbooks that I read recently and would love to share with my readers.
The no-waste kitchen cookbook by Arina Suchde
A practical and inspiring book to minimize food wastage and make delicious meals with minimal environmental impact is what Arina Suchde’s book No-waste Kitchen Cookbook is about. 75 lip-smacking recipes from fruit and vegetable scraps, leftovers, wilted greens, and other ingredients that are often thrown away are the star ingredients of these recipes. From soups, salads, curries, pizzas, desserts, and even cocktails that can be made with easy-to-make instructions and tips on how to store, preserve, and reuse food are very clearly given. Advice on smart shopping, effective composting, efficient meal planning, and adopting a zero-waste mindset in the kitchen are other topics discussed in this handbook.
Creative and tasty recipes helped me save money and also minimize food wastage are reasons why I love this book much making it a helpful and enjoyable read. Changing my habits and choices can bring a difference in the environmental and social impact of food wastage are other aspects that the book taught me. Beautifully illustrated the book is well-written and is recommended for anyone who loves cooking and wants to lead a sustainable life. The book is a very good starter for anyone who wants to lead a zero-wastage journey with 75 yummy and healthy recipes.
The Sattvik Kitchen: The Art and Science of Healthy Living by Dr. Hansaji Yogendra
The Sattvik Kitchen: The Art and Science of Healthy Living by Dr. Hansaji Yogendra is a transformative guide that explores the connection between food, health and well-being.
Overview:
An Internationally renowned yoga and wellness guru from The Yoga Institute, Dr. Hansaji Yogendra shares ancient wisdom and modern insights in this book. The book focuses on Sattvik food practices, emphasizing what we eat and how, when, and why we consume it.
Key Themes:
Ayurvedic Wisdom: Dr. Hansaji reintroduces the age-old Ayurvedic remedies that address modern health issues.
Mindful Eating: The book stresses mindful eating combining knowledge about the right food with conscious consumption.
Vedic foods: Exploring the benefits of Vedic foods, the author provides evidence-based insights into their impact on our well-being.
Recipes and Wholesome delights
The book includes mouth-watering sattvik recipes that promote immediate and long-term health. From wholesome grains to nourishing dairy the recipes celebrate the joys of food while supporting overall wellness.
Holistic approach:
Dr. Hansaji reminds us that we are both physically and emotionally shaped by what we eat.
By adopting sattvik food practices, one can embark on a journey towards good health, weight loss, and overall well-being.
It is not just a cookbook, but a holistic guide that reconnects us with the profound impact of food on our bodies and minds. Dr. Hansaji’s wisdom invites us to savor each meal as a step towards a healthier and happier life.
The India Cookbook: From the Tables of My Friends by Sunita Kohli
The India Cookbook: From the Tables of My Friends by Sunita Kohli is a delightful culinary journey that celebrates the rich tapestry of Indian food.
Diverse Perspective:
Sunita Kohli’s collection of recipes showcases the immense variety of Indian cuisine. Each region contributes its unique cooking methods, ingredients, and utensils, steeped in tradition and evolution.
Friendship and flavour:
The book features recipes from Sunita’s friends- across generations and walks of life. From schoolmates to renowned personalities like Shashi Tharoor, Shabana Azmi, and Anita Ratnam the book celebrates warmth and camaraderie.
Comfort and Exoticism:
The book features familiar comfort foods like Pongal, Butter chicken, and kadhi pakora which evoke nostalgia. Special dishes like sat saaag, Mohan maas, and baked crabs are also considered.
Cultural Tapestry
The India cookbook isn’t just about food, it’s also about friendships, culture, and the joy of sharing meals. Whether at family gatherings or parties these recipes are sure to nourish the soul and the body.
In short, the book is a blend of tradition, friendship, and culinary artistry- a feast for food lovers and soul seekers alike.
The Indian Vegan: Easy Recipes for Everyday Cooking by Sonal Ved
The Indian Vegan: Easy Recipes for Everyday Cooking by Sonal Ved is a delightful culinary treasure trove that bridges the gap between traditional Indian flavors and modern plant-based living.
Veganism with Indian Twist:
Sonal Ved’s research into Indian cuisine reveals that no other culinary tradition aligns seamlessly with the vegan lifestyle as Indian cooking. The book celebrates the abundance of plant-based ingredients found in Indian kitchens.
Inspiring recipes:
The book offers a diverse array of recipes from Ladakhi Chutagi to Nengal’s mocha’r ghonto. Every dish covered in this book combines health, flavor, and cultural heritage.
Practical approach:
The book provides accessible recipes for both kinds such as a seasoned cook or a newbie to veganism. For anyone seeking wholesome, delicious plant-based food this book is a must-have.
This book invites you to explore the intersection of taste. Health and compassion through the vibrant lens of Indian vegan cuisine.
Self-help has always been one genre that keeps me glued while reading. I look forward to books that have a tone that is practical and not something preachy. I choose books which have a good amount of examples, case studies and research based evidence which is a sign that the book needs to be added to my TBR. Here are a few books that made it to my reading list.
Average sucks by Michael Bernoff
A book that challenges you to come out of your comfort zone and unleash your true potential. The reason we don’t get what we want is that we have an average that defines the behavior, performance, and results. This is the reason that the book argues. Our average is the invisible force that keeps us stuck in mediocrity and prevents us from achieving our goals. It shows how to identify our average, raise it, and surpass it so that we create an extraordinary life. It is not a typical self-help that gives generic advice but rather a powerful guide that teaches how to change mindset, habits, and actions. The author has used these tools and techniques with thousands of clients.
The book has three sections such as PART 1: The problem– Explain what your average is. How it affects you and why it hurts. PART 2: The solution– reveals the five steps to raising your average and creating a lasting change. PART 3: The action– provides exercises, challenges, and resources to help in implementing the solution and transforming your life.
A suitable book for anyone who wants to improve any area in their life- personal, professional, and social. I realized how my average was holding me back from achieving my dreams. I found a lot of tools and strategies to raise my average to create more happiness and success. A good guide that teaches you how to live an above-average life.Read a short review here. Buy a copy.
Money hacks by Larry Steinhouse
A book that reveals the secrets of money and how to use it to your advantage, it also challenges the common myths and misconceptions about money. The book shows you how to think differently and creatively based on your financial solution. I loved the topics that the book covered such as,
How to obtain huge lines of credit while building up credit scores and your net worth.
How to negotiate better deals and save money on everything you buy.
How to avoid pitfalls and traps of debt, taxes, and inflation.
How to develop a money mindset that attracts wealth and abundance.
The book is written in a simple, conversational, and humorous style with stories, tips, and real-life examples from the author’s own experience as a successful real investor and entrepreneur. The book is suitable for anyone who wants to learn more about money and how to make it work for them. It is not a get-rich scheme but a realistic guide that teaches the skills and strategies you need to achieve your financial goals. The book opened my eyes to the possibilities and opportunities that money can offer and how I can use it to create more happiness and security in my life.
I found a lot of tools and techniques that can be applied to my situation. A realistic guide which can help anyone understand the truth about money and how to use it smartly. Read a short review here. Buy a copy.
The Science of getting started by Patrick King
A book that explores the psychological and biological reasons why we procrastinate and how to overcome them. It reveals the hidden forces that prevent you from taking action such as perfectionism, fear, impulsiveness, self-doubt, and boredom. It also provides practical and proven strategies to help start and finish any task, goal, or project.
How to use the power of habits and routines to automate your productivity.
How to leverage the psychology of motivation and rewards to boost your performance.
How to apply the principles of behavioral economics, neuroscience, and game theory to make your work more fun and engaging.
How to overcome the common excuses that keep you stuck.
How to deal with distractions and interruptions.
How to cope with stress, anxiety, and fatigue which can sabotage your progress.
Written in a clear, concise, and conversational style, with case studies, personal anecdotes, and scientific research that support the author’s points the book is not a boring text but an entertaining lively guide that teaches skills on how to master the mind and take action.
This book is suitable for anyone who wants to improve their productivity, efficiency, and effectiveness in any area of life. The book was very helpful and an insightful read which helped me understand how I procrastinate and how I can change it. A lot of tips and techniques can help boost my productivity and achieve my goals. I can say that it is a science-based solution to getting started. Read a short review here. Buy a copy.
Lead or get out of the way by Gary .J.Vien
Lead or Get Out of the Way is a practical and inspiring book that lets you know how to become an effective leader. And if you are already one, this book will help you become much more effective. Based on his forty-year career in the military, education, government, and business as a leader, the author presents 8 principles of leadership that help in achieving your goals, overcoming challenges, and influencing others.
With clear examples, tips, and exercises these 8 principles are explained in detail for us to apply in our situations.
The principles are:
Communicate effectively.
Build trust and credibility.
Know yourself and your purpose.
Lead by example.
Collaborate and partner.
Empower others.
Embrace change and innovation.
Celebrate success and learn from failure.
A good handbook that lets you assess the leadership skills currently and find out areas for improvement. Written in a simple and engaging style, with a pinch of wisdom, insight, and humor, it is a book that is apt for anyone who wants to improve their leadership skills, irrespective of whether they are people who aspire to be leaders or new and experienced leaders. A helpful and motivating read, the book gives practical tools and strategies to enhance leadership abilities and confidence. Making me think about how to make an impact on others and to think differently is what the book made me gain.
These books help understand what actually is happening and analyse situations. They also guide you on how to handle situations by giving you the knowledge about tools and techniques which will help you arrive at solutions. Read a short review here. Buy a copy.
That Madras Mom 