10 Relaxing Night Time Routine Ideas

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How is your nighttime routine?

Does it look a little something like: watch a few episodes of your favorite show then fall asleep while scrolling through social media?

If so, don’t sweat it. That is probably the routine most people have before bed! 

Although that is a common nighttime routine, that doesn’t mean that it is the healthiest.

There are more things that you should do every night before bed to best set you up for a good night’s rest and prepare your mind and body for a productive next day.

Here are 10 different things to incorporate into your nighttime routine!

Relaxing Night-Time Routine Ideas

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1. Finish eating a few hours before you go to sleep

You don’t want to go to sleep with your stomach growling, but you also don’t want to fall asleep stuffed from a large meal.

Give your body some time to digest while you are awake in the evening.

It is better for you to finish eating a few hours before bed, and it will help you with your sleep as well.

2. Stop looking at screens an hour before bed

Although it can be pretty tempting to scroll through social media into the late hours of the night or fall asleep to your favorite show, looking at screens too much negatively impacts the quality of your sleep.

Not only that, but you may have trouble falling asleep altogether.

The light from your screens makes you feel more awake, so replace that activity with something else like reading or writing.

3. Pour yourself a hot cup of herbal tea

Herbal tea oftentimes makes you feel more relaxed, so it is the perfect beverage to indulge in before sleep.

Some common bedtime teas include chamomile, ginger, and lavender.

Swap out an evening beer or glass of wine for herbal tea, and see if it makes a difference for you.

You should feel more relaxed and get a higher quality night’s rest.

4. Take some time to practice gratitude

Gratitude is the BEST attitude you can have!

Why end your day thinking about what you didn’t get accomplished and worrying about what you have to do the next day when instead, you could show gratitude for everything the day brought you?

Gratitude shifts your mindset from a state of overwhelm to a state of abundance.

Whether you choose to show gratitude through prayer or thoughts or writing them down, this is a powerful practice to do at night.

5. Do something relaxing like reading or journaling

Find a hobby or ritual that is relaxing to you, and try to practice it for a half-hour every night before bed.

Avoid screens if you can, as we know they can negatively impact the quality of your sleep.

Some relaxing ideas are reading and journaling, or you could do a craft or play a musical instrument. Stick with what works best for you!

6. Straighten up around the house

Cleaning may or may not be your favorite activity, but your future self will thank you in the morning if you straighten up at night.

Ask yourself this: would you feel better in the morning if the dishes were put away and the laundry was folded instead of having a sink full of dishes and clothes all over your room?

It only takes a few minutes to straighten up the house at night, but having a clean environment can make a huge difference in how you feel starting your day.

Related Reads:
• 50 Positive Nighttime Affirmations for Sleep and Anxiety
• How to Create a Better Sleep Routine
• 7 Evening Habits to Help You Unwind From Your Day

7. Set your clothes out for the next day

Limiting the number of decisions you will have to make in the morning reduces any unnecessary stress.

Instead of wasting time trying to figure out what to wear, set out your clothes for the next day. If you work out in the morning, set out your exercise clothes too.

Doing this extra step during your nighttime routine will ensure you are ready for the next day.

8. Sit still and meditate

Your days are busy—there’s no doubt about that.

At the end of a long day, take a few moments to sit still and meditate.

This may be your only time to truly get quiet and enjoy some alone time throughout your day.

You can do a guided meditation, or just close your eyes and focus on your breathing.

Sometimes playing soft, instrumental music can help you relax as well.

Even if you just do this for a couple of minutes, it can help you feel more calm and more present throughout your days.

9. Stretch before you get into bed

Most of us sit at our desks all day long without really moving too much at all.

Can you relate? Because of that, our bodies often feel sore and stiff.

Even though it’s hard to help it sometimes, sitting constantly really isn’t good for you.

Stretching before bed can really help you get the blood flowing and prevent your muscles from feeling so stiff all the time.

It also leads to better sleep by helping you relax!

You can find stretching videos online, or just stretch out the parts of your body that feel tense.

10. Write down any stray thoughts in your head

Have you ever tried falling asleep with a lot on your mind?

There is a good chance that you lay there for a while, unable to stop thinking.

To avoid that, write down any stray thoughts that are floating around in your head before you fall asleep.

These thoughts might be to fold the laundry, pack a lunch, text a friend happy birthday, or just a brilliant new business idea that popped in your head before you shut your eyes.

By writing these down, it will help you eliminate any bedtime stress or overthinking caused by those random thoughts.

Final Thoughts

Having a positive nighttime routine will help you go to bed feeling more relaxed, less overwhelmed, and it leads to getting more productive sleep.

Work on completing these 10 things every night before bed, and notice how your sleep and stress improve.

If some of these items resonate with you more than others, then focus on those the most.

Wishing you a good night’s rest every night!