My Nighttime Routine
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The start of a successful day,
really begins the night before.
While morning routine’s tend to get all the hype, I am here to tell you why the PM routine is really where it’s at, plus a look into my daily nighttime rituals and routine.
The importance of routines
Many of us spend all day putting the needs of others before our own. We rush around with to-do lists, responsibilities, keep busy and before you know it, it’s time to hit the sheets before we do it all over again.
Having regular morning and nighttime routines helps find consistency throughout the day and has even been shown to manage stress and anxiety. In our current state of the world, I have relied on my routines more than ever and have found profound comfort in them.
Prioritize
Take a moment to answer this question: what does prioritizing your needs look like to you? For me, it’s finding a sense of peace and comfort at the end of the day in order to ensure restful sleep. It’s creating meaningful rituals and sticking to them, to grant myself some consistency in our ever-changing, fast-paced world.
Nighttime routines will not look the same for everyone, especially if you work shift jobs and have crazy hours overnight or have kiddos to prioritize. However, while we are in the midst of the pandemic, I really encourage you to make changes where you can. Even if it’s just turning notifications off an hour before bed or journaling for five minutes, we all deserve sacred time at the end of the day.
my routine
My PM routine does not always look like this but at the very least I do turn off devices an hour before bed, dim the lights and try for at least 7.5 hours of sleep. Your nighttime routine may look totally different and that’s okay! The point is to create sacred time for yourself filled with peace, comfort and love.
2 hours before bed: 8:30PM
I actually set an alarm at 8:30PM that reminds me it’s time to wind down. If you want to try this, pick a soothing song you love, not a traditional beeping alarm that freaks your nervous system out.
First, I gather my belongings for the next day, make my lunch, grab snacks and fill up my water bottle.
Set out tomorrow’s workout clothes & work clothes to try to make my mornings as easy as possible. If I see the workout clothes there, I’m more likely to do it or at least stretch or walk.
Tidy up the living room and kitchen. There is nothing worse than waking up to dirty dishes!
When I finally feel prepped for tomorrow, I “set the mood” as my husband likes to say. I dim the lights, light a candle and leave a few lamps on low.
Notifications off and I try to put my phone away from me. Right now, I am trying to get into the habit of throwing it on the charger in the other room.
Whatever I have left is quality time spent with my husband and our pups. We love watching movies and fun TV series together, but whatever we do we really appreciate this time!
1 hours before bed: 9:30PM
Throw some water in the kettle and make my PM latte. Anything works as long as it’s caffeine free. Sometimes I like to add vegan collagen or adaptogens that promote relaxation like reishi. I try not to recommend supplements on here (ALWAYS talk to your healthcare provider first), but sometimes I take magnesium and/or melatonin to aid with sleep.
my go-to is the 5 MINUTE VEGAN GOLDEN MILK FROM THE MINIMALIST BAKER. if i am not feeling so fancy, a quick pot of chamomile does the trick!
Bring my hot drink to the bedroom/bathroom and turn on some soft music. I love podcasts but I try to really decrease any stimulation at this point (I listen to THIS playlist).
I brush my teeth/floss and do my nightly skincare routine. I love having my latte or tea with me because it reminds me that beauty begins from the inside out!
My skincare routine is my time of the day where I feel zero guilt in feeling luxurious and indulgent. I have changed this routine over the years, but currently I oil cleanse, double cleanse with the Osea Ocean Cleanser, spritz with Josh Rosebrook Hydrating Accelerator and rotate between a few different PM serums/treatments.
You can click here to see my natural skincare tips and favorite products.
If I have time I love to treat myself to a mask 2-3x a week and sip on my latte.
Once my skincare is done I journal for a few minutes in bed. People always recommend practicing gratitude in the morning, but I love writing three things I was extra grateful for that day. It really shifts my focus and calms me right before bed. I keep this journal and pen on my bedside table so I always remember!
Usually journaling is enough to get me sleepy, but I also keep a book next to the bed which usually does the trick.
my favorite candle from slow made + osea’s anti-aging body balm to lather up my neck, chest, arms and hands - which are unfortunately overlooked by many skincare routines!
When it’s time to shut my eyes I grab my REMedy sleep mask from BLUBlox that keeps all light out.
Then, I ALWAYS do a quick relaxation meditation. You can listen to it here, but I now just do it in my own head. You take a few breaths and consciously bring awareness to each part of the body, create space, dissolve tension and make that part as comfortable as possible. For example, I start with my feet and make sure they are comfortable and relaxed. If not then I move them until they feel perfectly cozy. Then I work my way up-legs, hips, back, arms, shoulders, neck, head. This sounds elementary but try it! You will be surprised at how often you just hop into bed without making yourself as comfortable as possible before falling asleep.
I am still feeling like I’m not calm enough for sleep I will leave on a guided meditation or calming music, but that’s about it!
GARy is ready for bed too!
Other sleep hygiene tips
create a routine around the same time every night, consistency is KEY
aim for 7-9 hours of sleep/night
bedroom should be dark and cool
stay away from caffeine after 3PM
avoid large meals/alcohol or too many fluids right before bed
exercise during the day will aid sleep, but avoid strenuous exercise too close to bedtime
if you are really struggling to sleep, don’t fight it and keep staring at the ceiling checking your phone. Get up, drink a little water and find a boring book to read until you fall asleep
There you have it! I hope my help you create a solid PM routine and special time for yourself to promote restful sleep. If you are looking for other ways to prioritize your mental health this winter. post here on beating the winter blues.
Stay safe and please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any specific questions, thoughts or ideas.Feel free to drop me a line in the comments or find me on social media, I’d love to hear from you!
