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I believe the key to having a productive day is having a peaceful evening routine. Yes, having a good morning routine is beneficial, but in order to prepare for great mornings and restful sleep, you should take time and focus on having great evenings as well.
There is no perfect evening routine that exists. Everyone has different lives and preferences and needs. However, I can give you several ideas for ways to make your routine a little more peaceful, so you can get the rest you need for a great day.
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Peaceful Evening Routine Ideas
1. Reading
Taking time to read a book instead of watching TV or YouTube videos helps you to actively engage your mind in consuming content. This helps you pace yourself while you gain knowledge from the book as opposed to consuming fast paced information in the form of videos or podcasts.
Reading helps people relax, and having a set aside reading time every day will give you the chance to expand your mind.
2. Gratitude Journaling
Reflecting on the little moments in your day that you are grateful for can help you stay positive even in tough situations or stressful days.
You can write a simple list of a few things you are thankful for of you can write a short paragraph of something that brought you joy that day.
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3. Skincare
I am a little embarrassed to say that when I was in college I didn’t really take care of my skin. I would remove my makeup with a face wipe and call it a night because I was so tired a busy.
Now, I make time for a simple skincare routine that doesn’t require too many steps or products. That way I know that I can do it anywhere at any time. Here is my simple routine:
- Remove eye makeup with micellar water.
- Remove face makeup with cleansing balm.
- Wash face with cleanser in shower.
- Apply toner.
- Apply face serum/facial oil.
- Apply moisturizer.
4. Low Lighting
Lower lights at night time set a calmer mood and help you relax. I have a set of string lights in my bedroom that help me relax in the peace and quiet of my room as I am getting ready for bed. I have them strung around my headboard and bed frame.
If you don’t have string lights or if they aren’t your style, you can opt for a small lamp, a collection of battery operated candles, or smart lights that you can set on a timer and adjust the brightness and light color.
5. Plan for the Next Day
Having endless tasks off your to do list running through your head as you try to sleep at night is not a peaceful way to fall asleep. Take five minutes before you crawl into bed to write out every task that comes to mind so you aren’t up all night thinking about them.
Write the tasks in a note on your phone, add them to your Evernote, or write them out with a good old pen and paper. Writing the tasks out can help you easily add them to your weekly planner the next day.
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6. Hydrate a Few Hours Before Bed
It’s important to stay hydrated throughout the day. But waking up in the middle of the night because your mouth is dry and you are parched isn’t great and it can interrupt your sleep.
Hydration is great and all, but if you drink too much water too close to your bedtime, you might find yourself waking up to pee a few times throughout the night.
Try drinking a glass or two of water about an hour or two before bed to keep you hydrated enough through the night and to give you enough time to use the bathroom before you drift off to sleep.
7. Diffuse Lavender
Lavender is a very common aromatherapy scent used for sleeping. Whether it’s a lotion or body wash or pillow spray, lavender is usually associated with improving sleep and helping people relax and feel calm.
I personally like to set my essential oil diffuser on a timer and diffuse lavender and eucalyptus oils in my room as I sleep. The calming sound and smells coming from the diffuser help me relax and send me off into peaceful sleep.
This is the diffuser that I have and it comes with an incredible set of oils!
8. Stop Using Your Phone At Least 30 Minutes Before Bed
Blue light that comes from your phone screen can negatively affect your sleep by blocking your body’s natural creation of the sleep hormone melatonin. If your phone has a blue light filter setting, you can set that to go on an hour or so before you go to bed.
Also, another beneficial practice to have a digital detox about half an hour before you go to bed to give your mind and eyes a rest and to help you relax more easily.
9. Bedtime Meditation
A calming practice that many people find helps them relax before bed is meditation. Meditation can help calm your mind and remind you to reflect on the day you have had in a meaningful way.
Here are so of my favorite meditation apps that include free and paid plans:
- Smiling Mind (free)
- Wellness Coach (free + paid plan)
- Headspace (free trial + paid plan)
- Calm (free trial + paid plan)
- Abide – Christian guided meditations (free + paid plan)
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10. Bedtime Playlist
Create a playlist of calming music that makes you feel relaxed and play it while you brush your teeth, do your skincare, and while you sit in bed writing your to do list for the next day.
If you would rather listen to something else calming, you can opt for rain, ocean, or other nature sounds. Spotify has plenty of nature sound playlists and it also has a sleep timer which will automatically stop the playlist after a specified amount of time.
11. Room Temperature
Since your body temperature naturally lowers while you sleep, it is a good practice to sleep in a room that is on the cooler side. The ideal room temperature should be anywhere between 60°-67° F.
You can be sure to achieve the perfect temperature by setting the thermostat early or opening the windows or turning on a fan.
12. Stretch
Taking time to stretch out tired muscles at the end of the day could be just what you need to help you get your most restful sleep.
I personally use the FitOn app to send me a reminder for a 5 minute stretch every night around the same time before I go to bed. They are all quick and easy and the perfect amount of a little bit of movement I can get at the end of the day.
13. Cuddles + Pillow Talk
The quiet moments before drifting off to sleep can be some of the sweetest times spent with your significant other. Spending quality time giving cuddles and talking about the day will not only be a time to feel connected, but it will also make you feel safe and loved.
If you are not in a romantic relationship or if you live alone, you can still take some time before bed to connect with other loved ones. Cuddle your pets, Face Time your niece, or send a good night text to a close friend.
14. Sleep In A Dark Room
Even the tiniest bit of light can distract you or make it difficult to fall asleep. Cover any lights from electronics that may appear brighter after the lights go off. Make sure the blinds are closed as much as they can be. Or you could even invest in some black out curtains if the light from outside your room is really bothersome to you.
15. Sleeping Supplement
Many people that struggle with insomnia have found that taking melatonin supplements can help them fall asleep more easily. There are so many melatonin products on the market and you just have to find one that works for you.
I personally have started using a specifically formulated supplement called Proper. Proper is a sleeping supplement made with all natural ingredients that has several different formulations to fit your specific sleep needs.
I never really have issues falling asleep , but I do tend to wake up several times throughout the night and ultimately feel like I haven’t rested when my alarm goes off in the morning. The formulation that I take for my specific needs is the Sleep + Restore supplement.
Sleep is so important to help our bodies and minds to function properly. So it is even more important that we are taking to the time to make sure we get proper and restful sleep. Creating an evening routine that works for you is the first step in making sure you get the restful sleep you need.
You can download this FREE printable Evening Routine Planner that I created to help you start your journey to better sleep and create an evening routine that works for your lifestyle.
