Having a solid and productive night routine is so crucial. It can even be more beneficial than a morning routine. Night routines create consistency at night, set your morning up for success, improve your sleep schedule, AND decrease anxiety for the next day.
Set the mood
Typically, my night time routine will start right after dinner. First, I will set the mood by dimming the lights slightly, lighting up a candle, and maybe even putting on some music. Second, I will put on a cozy outfit on and make a warm beverage.
Tidy up
Next, start tidying up any mess left over from dinner, start laundry, wipe surfaces, etc. There is no better feeling than waking up to a clean space.
Prepare for Tomorrow
Then, once your space is clean, this is when you prep for tomorrow. I will plan out my to-do list for the next day, set out an outfit (work and/or workout), and get my bags ready to go. This step really helps me mentally prepare for what is coming the next day so I don’t have any surprises.
Self-care time
This is your time to do whatever helps you wind down. Here you could shower, do your skin care routine, face mask, brush your teeth and floss, etc. I personally like to shower in the morning to help me fully wake up, but that is 100% a personal preference. Click here if you’d like to read about how to build a morning routine.
Calming activity
If you’re someone that has trouble falling asleep at night, this is an important step! I know a lot of people are in the habit of falling asleep to a tv, that is perfectly fine if that works for you. However, alternatives could be journaling, reading, yoga, or cuddling with your pets. This helps your body and brain wind down and get into sleep mode. It isn’t good for our eyes to be constantly be exposed to artificial sources of blue light late at night. For example, phone screens, tv screens, and laptop screens all fall in this category. It is recommended to turn these devices off 1 hour before you go to bed.
Final thoughts
Now that you’ve completed this night time routine, jump into bed and get comfy! You are now ready to turn in for the night. Try to aim for 7-9 hours of sleep. It isn’t good to consistently get too little OR too much sleep, so find your perfect amount and go to bed accordingly. Happy resting!