Today, I’m sharing with you some relaxing night routine ideas to try so you can unwind and sleep better at night.
When I began working full-time as a blogger and freelance writer, I often allowed myself to work until late at night.
Whenever I did that, I slept terribly at night.
Not only did working late and not having a night routine kept me awake late, but it also prevented me from sleeping well.
I often ended up thinking about work when trying to fall asleep.
As a result, I did not feel energized when I woke up the next day and usually started my day later.
Thankfully, as the years went by, I managed to break this habit of working late and not having a proper night routine.
I’ve learned to do some relaxing rituals in the evenings, which helps me unwind and prepare for sleep.
I now have a night routine that I really love and look forward to every day, and I do not allow myself to skip it anymore.
I know how valuable a good night routine is, and it has truly increased my happiness and well-being over time!
If you too want to create a relaxing evening routine for yourself, here are 16 relaxing night routine ideas for you to enjoy before going to bed.
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What is a night routine?
Most of us are very busy during the day and spend our time getting things done, whether that is taking care of our homes and families or going to work.
But to function properly throughout the day, we need to rest and sleep well during the night.
We need to make self-care our priority, no matter how little time we have to dedicate to it.
We all know the benefits of relaxation and having a good night’s sleep.
But how can we make sure we will wake up the next day feeling rested and energized?
Well, it all starts in the evening with a good night routine.
A night routine consists of different habits and things you do every night to relax and calm your brain.
It’s a series of rituals you follow to unwind before going to bed.
A night routine gives some structure to your day and indicates to your body that it is time to disconnect from work and other responsibilities.
Why is it so important to have a relaxing night routine?
We sometimes only have time to relax on vacation or the weekends, but does that mean we are not allowed to rest during the week?
Having a relaxing night routine is crucial for having a good work-life balance and preventing burnout.
Our bodies and minds need a break even on busy days, and we should do our best to give them time to slow down and not be constantly stimulated.
We have to embrace slow living in the evenings if we want to feel good and energized during the day.
Indeed, a good night routine helps you fall asleep faster and improves your quality of sleep.
It promotes relaxation and reduces stress and anxiety.
I also find that it’s a lot easier to wake up in the morning and prepare for the day because I did some things the night before.
A proper night routine also helps us be more productive the following day because we feel less tired.
What’s more, adopting some relaxing habits in our lives improves our health and mental well-being in the long run.
How to incorporate these night routine ideas into your life?
As you can see, there are so many benefits to having a mindful, relaxing night routine!
So if you want to start incorporating some of these night routine ideas into your life, make a plan today.
Decide when you will start your night routine every evening.
This will depend on your daily schedule and your responsibilities, but make sure to dedicate enough time for yourself each night.
I start my night routine at around 7.15 pm.
It means that at that time every day, I need to stop working and start preparing for the next day or relaxing.
All my daily tasks, worries, and problems can wait for tomorrow.
Having that structure and being strict about when I stop working helps me prioritize my well-being.
Thanks to it, I know I will not end up working late at night or being productive before going to bed.
Not that being productive is wrong, but we can do that during the day.
We should also take the time to rest and relax properly at night: it is necessary to live a happy, fulfilling life.
16 night routine ideas to help you unwind and sleep better
1. Reflect on your day
After my work day, whenever I start my night routine, the first thing I usually do is reflect on the day.
What did I accomplish today?
What did not go as expected?
How did I feel?
What was enjoyable?
What was not so enjoyable?
I find that reflecting on my day signals to my brain that work is over for now.
It means that once I’ve thought about everything I wanted to reflect on, I can let work go and not think about it anymore for the rest of the evening.
2. Write a to-do list for the next day
After work, I also like writing a quick to-do list for the following day.
Since I remember what I’ve accomplished during the day, I know what needs to be finished and what I need to work on the following day.
Writing a to-do list at the start of the evening is crucial.
You put everything onto paper so you won’t be thinking about it during the night.
You know you won’t forget anything so you can unwind and rest properly.
Plus, you can even choose to set out your clothes for the following day if you want to be fully prepared.
3. Eat a light meal
Make sure to eat a light meal in the evening.
Try not to go to bed on an empty stomach because you might wake up during the night as you will be too hungry to sleep.
Also, do not overeat.
Choose simple, nourishing ingredients, and prepare your dinner early in the evening.
That way, you give your body time to digest and you will sleep better during the night.
What’s more, try to stay away from foods and drinks that tend to keep you awake, whether that is caffeine or alcohol.
4. Tidy your home
Set aside 10 to 15 minutes every evening, whether that’s right after work or before going to bed, to tidy up your space.
Throw away trash, put back things to their homes, and wipe down the kitchen counters.
Collect all the toys and put them back where they belong.
After dinner, start your dishwasher or do the washing-up.
Resetting our space at night is incredibly satisfying, and it means we will wake up the following day in a beautiful, inviting space.
What better way to start a new day?
5. Prepare your home for the night
During the evening, turn off your bright overhead lights and turn on lamps instead.
Dimming off the lights tells our bodies that it’s the evening and we’re soon going to go to sleep.
I find that it helps me feel sleepy earlier!
Make sure to turn off the TV or any other screen at least an hour before bedtime.
You may also want to turn the thermostat down so that it doesn’t get too hot when you go to sleep.
Not only will it help you save energy (and money!), but you will also fall asleep faster!
6. Make a gratitude list
One of the most powerful night routine ideas to implement in the evenings is to make a gratitude list.
Take your journal, sit comfortably on your bed or couch, and reflect on all the things you are grateful for.
List as many things as possible!
I know it all sounds cheesy, but practicing gratitude is very powerful and helps us see the abundance in our lives.
It helps us realize that, even though life is imperfect, we are blessed in many ways.
7. Read a fiction book
Reading a good book is a great way to relax and slow down at night.
I usually prefer reading fiction books in the evenings because they don’t stimulate the brain too much.
Take whatever book you like to read and get lost in it.
But make sure it’s a book you truly enjoy!
8. Listen to relaxing music or nature sounds
According to experts, music is a powerful tool that has therapeutic effects on different mental and physical health conditions.
It also helps relieve anxiety and reduce stress among many other benefits.
So what better way to destress from the day than listening to relaxing music or your favorite songs?
I also love listening to relaxing nature sounds.
There are many videos on Youtube with comforting sounds like raindrops, ocean waves, or a crackling fire.
9. Take a warm shower or bath
Taking a warm shower or bath in the evening is very relaxing, but it will also lower your body temperature, which is ideal for preparing to sleep.
10. Put on comfy pajamas
After your shower, put your favorite pajamas on so you can be comfortable and cozy during the rest of the evening.
Incorporating this ritual into your night routine can be a signal to your body that it’s time to relax and stop doing productive things.
Read more: 11 organic cotton pajamas for non-toxic, sustainable sleep
11. Take care of your skin
One of the most relaxing night routine ideas is to take the time before going to bed to take care of your skin.
Prioritize your skincare routine every evening by removing makeup and washing your face.
Then, apply moisturizer or anything you like to nourish your skin.
Sometimes, we don’t have the time in the morning to do this properly, so it should be our priority to pamper our skin at night.
Plus, it feels so good and refreshing to go to bed with clean, moisturized skin!
Oh, and don’t forget to brush your teeth while you’re in the bathroom.
12. Drink herbal tea
If you like drinking a hot beverage in the evening or simply are looking for a way to relax and slow down, consider making yourself a nice cup of herbal tea.
There are so many herbal teas you can choose from, but my favorites are those known to help destress and promote relaxation.
I particularly love chamomile, lavender, and peppermint teas.
But I also have different blends on hand for when I want something different!
Make sure to choose non-caffeinated teas.
Also, do not drink them in the late evening because you risk waking up during the night to use the bathroom.
13. Meditate
Meditation is a great activity to help your body and mind slow down and be in the present moment.
Breathing slowly and focusing on the now is very relaxing, and it will prepare your body for sleep.
If you don’t know how to start meditating at night, you can listen to guided sleep meditation videos.
These can last for as little as a minute so anyone can find the time to do it!
Praying is another mindful activity that can help you relax during your night routine.
14. Write in your journal
Writing in a journal is a great way to put all our thoughts onto paper to declutter our minds.
It helps us organize our thoughts and see our worries from a more objective point of view.
It creates the distance we need to reflect on our daily problems without being too emotional.
I find that it also helps us make better decisions and take action accordingly.
Whenever I do this, I always feel less stressed and more calm afterward, and it allows me to stop thinking so much during the rest of the evening.
And I know my thoughts and worries won’t keep me awake at night.
15. Do light stretches
We often accumulate some tension in our muscles after long, productive days at work or doing things at home.
To relax your muscles and body, get into the habit of doing some light stretches before going to bed.
Listen to your body and see where you can release tension.
As I spend most of my days sitting behind a computer, doing some light stretches at the end of the day is exactly what I need to unwind and relax!
16. Go to bed at the same time every day
This one can be so tricky; I still struggle to do it most nights!
But I try to do my best to go to bed at the same time every day because it helps me ensure that I will get at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep every night.
Doing this can also regulate your body so it knows when you should be falling asleep each night.
If you’re like me and struggle to go to bed at a consistent time every day, consider setting an alarm 30 minutes or an hour before you should be falling asleep.
That way, you won’t forget about it and you’ll sleep longer at night.
Final thoughts on these relaxing night routine ideas
There you go!
I hope these 16 relaxing night routine ideas help you slow down, unwind, and sleep better at night!
Do not take this list as another list of things that need to get done.
Remember that these ideas are here to guide you and help you create a night routine you love and that makes you feel good.
So you don’t have to do all these rituals if they don’t add value to your life!
This is your night routine and you get to decide how it will be.
Also, what you do before going to sleep will depend on your situation and how much time you have available every evening.
It will not be the same if you have a family or are single.
But the most important thing is that you truly enjoy your night routine and look forward to it each night!
What are your favorite night routine ideas to unwind and sleep better?
What does your night routine look like?
Let’s inspire each other in the comments!
Don’t forget to share this article with its relaxing night routine ideas with your friends to help them slow down and relax in the evening!