Nothing will set you up for a successful day better than a good night’s sleep. However, a lot of people today suffer from insomnia and sleep deprivation. One of the best ways to set yourself up for a good night’s sleep is to have your perfect evening routine. 

Life gets the better of us sometimes. The weight of responsibilities can keep us on a buzz in the evenings, even though this should be our dedicated time for relaxation. Unfortunately for a lot of people, they have been in this switched-on cycle on autopilot, making it hard to consider what a healthy evening routine would consist of. It can also really help you to improve your confidence. 

Each individual will have their special formula to make the most out of the evening, but if you are looking for some inspiration you will highly benefit from the following habits.

Write down completed tasks, schedule tomorrow’s

Before you dive into the realm of peace and unwinding, you need to make space in that head of yours. It is no use completing any of the following steps if your brain is ruminating about the tasks you need to complete the next day. Maybe the anxiety you feel about the lack of completed tasks of the present day is weighing the guilt on your shoulders. Invest into a daily planner that is easy enough to keep on hand, and start writing down what needs to be done and when. Do not beat yourself up if some things are put on the back bench, just be strict and have three non-negotiable tasks. Note everything down, and give yourself some headspace because you deserve it. 

Lay out your clothes 

Preparing for the next day is one of the essential steps in unwinding, and this involves making sure the morning will be as stress-free as possible. Why not make things easier? Lay out your clothes for the next day, and pack your bag if you intend to go to the gym in the morning. This will help you reduce the anxiety that might be present when thinking about the next day, as you will have everything prepared to avoid any stressors. Laying out nice clothes is also important if you want to feel like the best version of yourself. Lay out your clothes to remove the needed effort for the next day. Unwinding in the evenings also involves making the following day as seamless as possible.

Yoga and meditation

Surprisingly, research has shown that our physical behaviours have a greater influence on the mind than vice versa. Positive physical behaviours such as yoga can lead the way to new embedded healthy habits in the brain, therefore you just have to simply start. Being kind to your body by stretching the muscles that have been working hard all day is a credit to yourself. Put on a comfy pair of seamless leggings and a top then stick on a beginner’s tutorial for yoga on youtube. Once you have grasped this part, I think you should be disciplined enough to begin mindfulness meditation. Again, youtube will be your best friend with this one. Search guided mindfulness meditation, sit in a distraction-free room, and drift away (not literally, mentally).

Leave the phone alone

If you are going to take anything away from this, it should be that your phone should not be part of your wind-down ritual, no matter how happy cute dog videos make you. To be more scientific, the blue lights emitted from your device inhibits a hormone called melatonin. This hormone contributes to the sleep-wake cycle, making it harder to fall asleep and wake up the next day. Bluelight is just overall harmful to your eyes. Do yourself a favour and keep away from the screens no later than 7 pm, only if you need to set alarms and for emergencies! A little tip I should also mention is you can set time limits on any or all apps on your phone, meaning you will get notified when you have reached your screen time limits. 

Have a candle-lit bath 

Baths are perfect to include in your evening routine if you are looking to wind down. They are ideal for relaxing the muscles and instigating the sleep-inducing feeling to help us feel calm and relaxed. Make an effort with your bath, light some candles, and make sure there are extra bubbles. Put on your favourite show, or even play some relaxing music. This is a great form of self-care. You do not need to have baths every single day as they use up a lot of water, but twice a week makes having a bath an imperative part of your evening routine.

Body and skin care

Some individuals still do not have a cleansing routine for their skin. Understandably everyone has different skin care needs, but finding what works best for you is crucial to incorporate it into your evening routine. After all, you shouldn’t be leaving the house from this point, put on all the facemasks you want! Also, just a little tip, vitamin C and hyaluronic acid serums can be your best friend. Treating your skin with a hot bath or shower will help relax the muscles even more especially if you have done yoga prior. You should also see the shower as washing away any negativity you may have faced throughout the day, you’re going to bed ready for a fresh start.

Final thoughts 

Overall, investing your time and effort into your evening routine is essential if you hope to achieve a relaxed and peaceful state during this time of rest. When life is getting overwhelming sometimes these habits need to be put on the back bench, but at least a fraction of the evenings should be dedicated to you and only you. You can either start including all of the suggested habits in your evenings or perhaps you might start with a new one each night to see which one supports your wellness the most. Always spare time for relaxing in the evenings, as this will support you on your journey to having a deep and restful sleep.