Were all getting older, and we dont want to justbe exhausted, Aniston tells SELF.
My ideal routine at night begins with all screens going off.
My phone goes into the kitchen or the bathroom.
Rich Fury / Getty Images / Stella Koh
I walk the dogs.
I lock all the doors.
Im really trying to be in bed at eleven oclock.
Its a little destructive to the old body clock, to say the least.
But when I have the luxury of maintaining my routine, its everything.
When I have a Fraturday, I just venture to not focus on it.
Over the years, Ive learned about the importance of sleep, and consistency is really crucial.
We pop up and out of bed.
If you lose sleep during the week, you think, Oh, Ill just sleep all weekend.
But you cant make up for lost sleep.
So I hit a wall and I finally decided to do something about it.
I used to definitely just not wash off my makeup.
Lets fall asleep on the couch.
Now, I wash my face.
Then I will sleep.
My meditation practice varies for me, and its very personal.
If I only have five minutes to do it, five minutes is fine.
Usually, its just quieting down my thoughts.
Or sometimes Ill follow a meditation on an app.
Sometimes, itll be about writing out agratitude list.
My meditations vary, but gratitude lists are really important, I believe.
Every week I do them.
We have a lot to be grateful for.
Im such a night owl.
Thats half of the problem.
I think it really, really, really helps.
When my sleep was at its worst, my diet was bad and my skin was terrible.
I just wasnt thinking clearly, and my doctor was so helpful.
And now its the first question on my list.
Everything starts with sleep.
If I havent slept properly, my exercise is crap and my diet is out the window.
Im just diminishing returns.
Getting up and walking around doesnt work.
I usually will start to meditate.
I mean, just things that exhaust your brain.
I cant nap.
Im not a good napper.
The few times I have I can probably count on two hands.
I felt almost worse after that.
But Im not good at napping.
I envy people who get on an airplane and theyre out before it takes off.
Or people who can just sort of close their eyes and nap.
I find that to be an extraordinary party trick.
This interview has been edited and condensed for length and clarity.
