We’ve all heard the typical advice for falling asleep: avoid screens, practice meditation, or take a warm bath. But sometimes, the best way to wind down before bed is to embrace a little bit of nonsense. After all, laughter and fun can be surprisingly relaxing! If you’re in the mood to shake up your bedtime routine with a touch of silliness, here are 10 utterly nonsensical things you can do before hitting the hay.
1. Try to Remember Every Single Dream You’ve Ever Had
This is the ultimate mental challenge! Sit back, close your eyes, and try to recount every dream you’ve ever had. You’ll be amazed at how quickly you realize that most of them make absolutely no sense. This is a great way to baffle your brain into exhaustion.
Bonus: The stranger the dream, the better. Relive that time you were flying with kangaroos or the one where your pet cat was the mayor.
2. Sing Your Favorite Song Backwards
Want a truly bizarre pre-sleep activity? Pick your favorite song, and try to sing it backwards, one word at a time. Not only is this surprisingly difficult, but it’s also a hilarious way to confuse yourself right into a state of drowsiness. (Note: Your neighbors may be concerned, but it’s all part of the fun!)
3. Invent a New Language to Say Goodnight In
Why say "goodnight" when you can create a completely new language to bid yourself farewell for the evening? Mix random sounds, syllables, and gestures to craft your own bedtime language. Then, make it a nightly ritual to say goodnight in your unique tongue. Who knows, it might catch on in the household!
4. Count Everything Except Sheep
Forget counting sheep—it’s overrated. Instead, count something completely unrelated and random. Try counting invisible elephants, flying toasters, or dancing bananas. The more absurd the item, the better. See how far you get before you lose track (or lose your sanity).
5. Practice Telepathically Sending Your Dream Agenda to Your Brain
Before drifting off, try to telepathically "send" messages to your brain about what kind of dream you want to have. Whether it's meeting a celebrity, flying over a rainbow, or fighting crime as a superhero, focus all your brainpower on crafting the dream. It’s nonsense—but who knows, maybe your dreams will take the hint!
6. Have an Imaginary Conversation with a Celebrity (or Fictional Character)
Ever wanted to chat with Sherlock Holmes or debate pineapple on pizza with Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson? Now’s your chance! Have a full-on imaginary conversation with your favorite celebrity or fictional character about anything and everything. Don’t worry about making sense—just go with the flow and see where the conversation takes you.
7. Challenge Your Reflection to a Staring Contest
For some completely pointless fun, head to the nearest mirror and challenge your reflection to a staring contest. Who will blink first? Spoiler alert: it’s probably you, but it’s still a great way to keep yourself amused for a few minutes before bed.
8. Make Up Ridiculous Names for Everyday Objects
Bored of the standard names for things? Give everyday objects new, nonsensical names! Your pillow could be a “fluffinator,” your lamp can be a “glowstick on steroids,” and your toothbrush? “Mouth rake.” Spend a few minutes renaming random things in your room and enjoy the giggles that come with it.
9. Pretend You’re an Alien Trying to Understand Bedtime
Act like an alien who just landed on Earth and is absolutely confused by the concept of sleep. Why do humans lie down in the dark for hours? What’s the deal with pajamas? Why do we need pillows? Try to explain these “strange” customs to yourself as though you’re learning them for the first time.
10. Try to Solve a Mystery You’ll Never Know the Answer To
Why is the sky blue? What happens when you enter a black hole? How do penguins stay warm? Spend a few minutes pondering one of life’s greatest mysteries—one that you’ll likely never get the answer to before bedtime. It’s a fun way to spark curiosity while also reminding yourself that sometimes, it’s okay not to have all the answers.
Conclusion
Who says bedtime has to be boring or serious? Embrace a bit of nonsense in your nightly routine to keep things lighthearted and fun. After all, sleep comes more easily when you’re in a relaxed (and slightly silly) state of mind. So, go ahead and try one of these nonsensical ideas before bed—you never know, you might just giggle your way into a great night’s sleep!