The Nighttime Routine I Swear By & so Should You
Once the TV, iPhone, and laptop are all powered down and out of reach, and my bathroom and skincare nighttime routine complete, I’ll turn to a few simple pleasures before dozing off…
Considering I don’t have any sort of routine during my Monday through Friday—there is something about a nighttime routine that I find comforting. It took me months to figure out exactly what my skin needed from myself, but now that I’ve locked it down, I figured it would be rude if I didn’t share it with my favourite people—you guys (duh). I’m dishing out all the details—everything from what I drink late at night (I swear it’s not *always* rosé) to all the incredible products I swear by and slather on my face and what I’m listening to or watching while I do so.
I find myself taking as much time as possible before diving headfirst into my bed—I either owe thanks to the blog, which has me testing a new beauty product almost every day, or to the fact that I’m scared shitless of aging skin and wrinkles. I’m going with the latter, let’s be honest I’m in my early 30s. It’s all about the anti-aging.
You can also see my 6 Ways to Get a Better Sleep. Among the numerous responsibilities we juggle daily, quality sleep often takes the back burner, and those repercussions show up in our health and around our waistlines. So start small with a new nighttime routine and work your way from there. We all need more sleep and we all want to live a long, healthy life.
7 Nighttime Routine Rituals to start
1. Remove makeup
Always wash your face before bed. Start a routine, cleansing, toning, serum, moisturizer and hand cream. 2-3 times a week add in a face mask after cleansing and maybe take a bath.
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2. Put any clothes away where they belong
People who make their bed in the morning are more likely to get a restful sleep that those who don’t. So make your bed, every single morning. The ideal sleep environment should be clean, free of any clutter (like clothes, electronics, remotes, magazines), cool and quiet.
I make my bed first thing every morning, and open the blinds to let the natural light in. I feel it helps waken myself up organically and becomes part of my morning routine.
3. Read a book or a magazine
Try to read a book or a magazine but don’t do it on a Kindle or other device. Try to read a chapter and get lost in a story or article to relax your thoughts.
4. Shut off all devices, including your phone
Avoid computers, smart phones, tablets and television one or two hours before bed. I use this app to dim my laptop and try to stay away from my phone. Create a common area charging station in your home and encourage all your family members to “check in” their devices before bed.
5. Spritz
I’ve been spritzing this Rocky Mountain Soap Relax Aromatherapy Spray nightly. It’s 100% natural and gives me a sense of calm. Drives Curtis nuts, but I just ignore him. You can spray it and breathe it in.
Essential oils can also do the trick or you can spray it onto your pillow.
6. Light a candle
Don’t fall asleep with the candle lit, but when you are starting to wind down into your nighttime routine, light your favourite scent and start to relax.
7. Take time to reflect
Write a journal, meditate or simply have a quick conversation with your partner about your day. This lets you release any thoughts or negative energy before falling asleep. Keep a journal or notebook by your bed and write down your to-do list or ruminations before you go to sleep so you can close your eyes and make it less likely for your mind to spin.
Tips for a Relaxing Bedroom Space
1. Keep these on your night stand
- Lip balm (I’m a Vaseline girl at heart)
- Hand cream
- Sleep mask
- Oil (I like my Pixi Beauty Rose Oil for any dry spots)
- Glass of water
- Scented candle
2. Make your bedroom a sleep sanctuary
It should be dark, quiet, and cool (many people prefer a temperature between 65 and 72 degrees), with a comfortable, supportive mattress and pillows on the bed. To keep out unwanted light, consider installing blackout shades or heavy curtains. Block outside noise by wearing earplugs or using a “white noise” machine or one that generates soothing sounds that help you reach deeper stages of sleep.
I wear earplugs because Curtis and Piper both snore and we live near a busy street. Mostly because of Curtis haha.
3. Have that glass of water
And last but most important (because I’ll panic without it), I keep an emergency glass of water by the bed. You never know when you’ll wake up thirsty (and not want to walk all the way to the sink or fridge for a drink).
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Tell me how you wind down for bed? Do you have any rituals or tips to share with us?
Honestly I am just the worst at getting to bed at a decent time, and being happy about it. I love my naps, but this night owl would much rather stay up late and get some work done than lie in bed awake for hours, thinking of all the other things I could be doing. Not great when my work schedule has me up at 4 in the morning, ha! I do have a good evening skincare routine, but I think I’ll take some of your suggestions and work on creating an evening routine for my mental wellness. My phone is also my alarm clock, and it lives on my bedside table, but I think getting a charging “base” and leaving it in another room would be a helpful first step. Thanks!
I’m the same! A constant to-do list going on in my head.
I love using aroma therapy before bed. It’s so soothing.
Ooo your nighttime skin routine sounds so relaxing. Now I feel the need to up my game, lol! All I use is moisturizer. 🙂
xo, Chloe // http://funinthecloset.com/how-to-be-cool-in-summer/
Girl! You need to step up your skin care routine 🙂
This year is the first year ever that i have actually gotten into a proper morning and evening routine and i can’t tell you the difference it has made in my life. I feel more relaxed and sleep way better. Love your tips, I do most of these myself.
Yay! It really does make a world of difference when you’re in a routine.
I am definitely in support of those night time routines, can’t say that I always do mine. But I love the products.
This is a great routine. I’m awful at remembering to wash my face at night, but with the exception of the essential oil, my nightstand looks like yours!
Funny! We have good taste 🙂
This is so great! My nighttime routine is always so different – just depends on the day of the week. I love spraying a DIY lavender spray all over my room, it really helps my husband and I sleep at night.
Me too! That or a diffuser.
These are good tips! I really do need to get better at reading before bed – I’m so tired some nights I don’t manage it but it’s a nice routine to have 🙂
Hope you are having a wonderful week so far!
Away From The Blue Blog
Start with going to bed 30 minutes early and work your way back… small steps 🙂
Always wash, have a glass of water and read. Although I use a kindle it’s not the backlit sort. We all need a good unwind before bed.
I too have a nighttime routine. It is very similar to yours. I always pamper my face and body before I hit the sack. I also clean my room and grab a book or a crossword puzzle to give my mind some quality time. When I have trouble with falling asleep I do some yoga or breathing exercises to relax. My bed is my sanctuary 😊
Sounds relaxing! Maybe I will take up yoga before bed…
I too have my own nighttime routine. It is very similar to yours. 😊 I always take care of my skin and body before I hit the sack. I also clean my room and grab a book or a crosswords puzzle to give my mind some quality time. If I have trouble falling asleep I do some yoga or breathing exercises to calm me and help me relax. My bed is my sanctuary. 😊
Love a good routine! So many people have trouble sleeping, they could really benefit from this routine. That lavender spray would be perfect.
Thanks Mindy!
This is a great sleep routine. I’m SO bad at putting the devices away and end up spending two hours on facebook. haha. That aromatherapy sounds amazing, I’ll have to give that a try. My husband will prolly hate it too haha.
Oh geez i know that Facebook time suck is real!
Great tips! I love my essential oils at night! I diffuse lavender and put cedarwood on my feet for a restful night’s sleep!
oooo cedarwood sounds interesting!
Love this, I feel so psycho about having to have all my clothes picked up and put away but it makes me feel so much better! Thanks for the great post 🙂
Thanks for taking the time to comment Sarah!
This sounds so so so relaxing – I love lighting a candle before bed too! I have such a hard time powering down before bed, I think it’s something I’ve just accepted at this point 😛
haha! I used to be that way but then lack of sleep really got to me.
I need all these points in my life, especially after having put the kids to bed – I need some bloody relaxation myself. I spend way too much time on technology in the evening. The scented candle and spritz idea sounds great!
Thanks Tina! You deserve some “me” time!
This is such a nice routine! I am already jealous about your sleeping time! 😀 I had no idea about
“who make their bed in the morning are more likely to get a restful sleep that those who don’t.” Thats an interesting fact, I might have to try it as my bed is always mess. But I do love go to bed the most when I have fresh sheets on 😀
fresh sheets are the best! if i had time I’d wash them everyday haha