14 Evening Routine Ideas to Help You Wind Down at Night
I’ve fallen in love with my night routine, and am here to share some evening routine ideas to help you relax, wind down, and get a good night’s sleep.
Personally, I’ve found that when I dedicate a few minutes of my evening to a quality routine, it sets me up for success the following day. From winding down with calming activities to prepping your space for bedtime, these evening routine tips will help you relax and rejuvenate.
This guide is helpful if you’re prepping your first evening routine ever, or you simply need to improve your PM self-care.
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There’s something on this list for you!
Wind Down Activities for Your Evening Routine
1. Dim The Lights
Your body’s circadian rhythm (that is, your internal clock) is HIGHLY sensitive to light. To help your body naturally wind down in the evening, start dimming the lights as dusk approaches.
By reducing your exposure to bright, artificial lighting throughout the evening, you’re signaling to your brain that it’s time to relax and prepare for sleep.
Avoid the overhead light in your bedroom, and stick with a bedside lamp.
This is a simple adjustment that can help you regulate your internal clock, ultimately making it easier for you to unwind.
Staging a calming atmosphere in the evening helps set the stage for a restful night’s sleep.
2. Complete Your Nightly Skincare Routine
If you don’t already have a nightly skincare routine, NOW is the perfect time to start. Incorporating essentials like a nightly cleanse and a moisturizer is a great evening ritual that can help prepare your skin for a restful night’s sleep.
Not only does a consistent skincare routine benefit your skin, but it helps give you that “routine” feeling as you wind down in your evening.
My evening skincare routine is as follows:
- 10 minutes in front of my red light
- Every second night I’ll use this microcurrent device on my face (just 5 minutes)
- 5 minutes following my Korean skincare routine
- Then I’ll tape my forehead and and smile lines with silicone tape and sleep with it on, to prevent wrinkles
It doesn’t take much to dedicate a few minutes to create a calming pre-sleep ritual that helps enhance your overall sense of relaxation.
3. Prep Your Bed
Treat your bedtime like a stay at a luxurious 5-star hotel by prepping your bed each night. Fold down the covers, fluff the pillows, and make sure everything is just right for a restful night’s sleep.
This simple act of turning down your bed creates a welcoming and calming environment, enhancing your pre-sleep routine and making your bed an inviting retreat for relaxation.
Invest in high-quality organic cotton or bamboo sheets and bedding. When you appreciate your bedding more, you’ll feel better.
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Turn on your Mila, and appreciate the calmness of your bedroom.
4. Read a Chapter (or Four)
Skip the Netflix binge before bed and reach for a book instead–it can be just as exciting!
Opt for a physical copy to avoid the disruptive effects of screens on your sleep quality—your local library is a great resource for borrowing books for free!
If you prefer an electronic option, listen to an audiobook from Audible. Get your Audible trial for free right here – and if you decide to subscribe to a plan, you’ll get credits for free books EVERY month!
Reading before bed can improve your sleep quality (no really science says so!) because winding down with a book helps you relax and prepare for a restful night.
5. Meditate
Meditation is another great addition to your evening routine.
Incorporating a short meditation session can help you relax both physically and mentally. It’s a practice that helps you slow down and center yourself in the present moment, preparing your mind and body for restful sleep.
Meditation is a simple yet powerful ritual that can help ease the transition from the busyness of the day to a peaceful night.
6. Journal
Journaling is a GREAT way to clear your mind before you head to bed.
Whether you choose to jot down things you’re thankful for in a gratitude journal or recap your day, writing can help you process your thoughts and emotions. This calming activity provides a mental cleanse, making it easier to unwind and prepare for a restful night.
For those who want to set a positive tone for sleep, journaling is an excellent way to make that happen.
7. Skip the Screens!
We touched on this before but it’s worth repeating: skip the screens in the evening.
While completely avoiding screen time might be unrealistic, aim to cut yourself off an hour or two before bed.
The earlier in the night, you can put them away, the better!
The blue light emitted by screens can interfere with your circadian rhythm, making it harder to fall asleep. Prioritizing time away from screens helps your brain wind down and prepares you for a better night’s sleep.
8. Tidy Your Space
A clean space is a relaxing space.
Before heading to bed, take a few minutes to tidy the space around you. A clutter-free environment can help create a calming atmosphere, making it easier to relax and wind down.
By organizing your surroundings, you’re able to prepare your space for a restful night’s sleep.
9. Take a Warm Bath
Not everyone is a nighttime shower person, but a warm bath or cozy shower can be a highly effective way to wash off the day and prepare your body for sleep.
The warm water helps facilitate a natural temperature shift, which signals to your body that it’s time to start winding down. Not only can this help relax you and soothe your muscles from your long, hard day, but it also helps promote a sense of calm.
10. Enjoy a Light Evening Snack
You don’t necessarily want to go to bed on a full stomach, but a light, healthy snack can help stabilize your blood sugar levels and prevent nighttime hunger from disrupting your sleep.
You want to opt for snacks that include a balance of protein and carbohydrates, such as a small serving of yogurt with fruit or a handful of nuts. Avoid heavy, spicy, cheesy, or sugary foods, which can interfere with your sleep quality.
This small ritual helps signal to your body that it’s time to wind down for the night. If you’re a warm drink kind of person, tea is a great partner for your bedtime snack!
11. Practice Gentle Stretching
Consider incorporating some gentle stretching into your evening routine to help relax your body and ease tensions.
Simple stretches can relieve muscle stiffness, improve circulation, and promote a sense of calm.
This practice not only helps prepare your body for sleep but also signals to your mind that it’s time to unwind. Aim for a few minutes of stretching before bed to enhance your overall relaxation and readiness for rest.
12. Listen to Calming Music
Create a soothing ambiance by listening to calming music before bed. Opt for something soft like instrumentals or nature sounds, both can help ease your mind and body after a busy day.
Music has the power to lower stress levels and promote relaxation, which can enhance your overall pre-sleep routine.
You can also pair some soothing music as a background to your reading session to encourage a tranquil, slow-paced wind-down.
13. Prepare for Tomorrow
A lot of people struggle with sleep because they can’t stop thinking about tomorrow. Instead of spending valuable sleep time worrying, take a few minutes before you head to bed to prepare for the next day.
This simple act helps clear your mind of any lingering concerns about the next day, reducing anxiety and allowing you to focus on winding down.
Being organized can also create a smoother start to your day, contributing to a more restful night’s sleep.
14. Practice Deep Breathing
Practicing deep breathing can be another good way to relax your mind and body before bedtime.
Deep breathing techniques, like inhaling slowly through your nose and exhaling gently through your mouth, can help reduce stress and promote calm.
If you’re new to deep breathing, it can feel a little weird to start with but it’s well worth it.
This is another great practice that can help prepare your body for sleep as it helps to ease physical tension and can even lower your heart rate!
Evening Routine Ideas to Help You Wind Down at Night – Conclusion
As we wrap up, I encourage you to take a moment tonight to reflect on how you spend your evenings. Is there something you can change or introduce to help you relax more fully?
Remember, your evening routine is your chance to recharge and connect with yourself. Make it a time you look forward to.
