We talk a lot about morning routines, but what about our evenings? The hours before bed might be even more important for our overall well-being, yet they're often when we're most on autopilot.
Here's what I've learned about creating an evening routine that actually works: it doesn't need to be Instagram-perfect. You don't need a candlelit bath, a skincare regimen with twelve steps, or an hour of meditation. You just need a few small signals that tell your body and mind it's time to transition from doing to resting.
Start with something as simple as changing your clothes. Even if you work from home, putting on pajamas creates a mental boundary between day and night. It's a physical reminder that the workday is over, that you're allowed to stop being productive now.
Consider what you're consuming in those final hours. I don't just mean food and drinks (though yes, maybe skip that third cup of coffee at 8 PM). I mean information. The news, social media, work emails—they all keep your mind in active, reactive mode. Try setting a cutoff time, even if it's just thirty minutes before bed. Give your brain some space to settle.
If you struggle with racing thoughts at night, try a brief "worry dump" earlier in the evening. Spend five minutes writing down everything that's on your mind—tasks for tomorrow, things you're anxious about, random thoughts. This isn't journaling for insight; it's just getting it out of your head so you're not rehearsing it all night.
Temperature matters more than we think. A slightly cooler room (around 65-68°F or 18-20°C) genuinely helps most people sleep better. If that's not possible, even just cooling down your face and wrists with cold water can trigger your body's sleep response.
And here's permission you might need: it's okay if your evening routine changes day to day. Some nights you'll have the energy for a full wind-down. Other nights, brushing your teeth and getting into bed is enough. The goal isn't perfection—it's creating some gentle structure that helps you transition from the demands of the day to the rest you deserve.
Your evening routine doesn't have to earn likes or look beautiful. It just has to work for you.
#wellness #sleep #eveningroutine #selfcare