lifestyle

The way we end each day can have an impact on how we start the next one. This is why building the right night routines can make the next day seamless and less stressful.

You can probably relate to this. Creating an effective night routine can help us wind down at the end of each day, while also preparing for the next.

One way we can do this is by incorporating self-care routines as part of our night routine.

What are self-care routines?

A self-care routine are the practices or activities we do to protect, improve, and amplify our well-being and happiness and ultimately to reduce pain and stress. It includes different kinds of activities like skin care routines, physical activities, and mental health practices.

Benefits of self-care routines:

1. They make self-care and self-love a daily habit rather than a one-off activity.
2. Self-care activities help us reduce our stress levels and anxiety.
3. Night self-care routines are particularly beneficial as they improve sleep quality.
4. They improve our physical health and general well-being. This is the case with exercise, stretching, and even walking.
5. The right self-care routines will help create intentionality and balance in our lives as we are more likely to address our needs and desires.
6. They improve our closest relationships.

This post may contain affiliate links. This means we may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you purchase a product or service we recommend through our links. You can read our full disclosure policy here.

Examples of Self-Care Routines to Implement Before Bed.

Here are 10 ideas you can implement into your current routine. I have provided this as a 10-step process you can take just before you go to bed.

1. Go for a walk.

You start the winding down process with a bit of exercise. An evening walk is a great option. It’s not too rigorous but it is still tasking enough to count as exercise.

I usually go for a walk around 10pm on most nights, and there are a few things I love about this:

• The streets are much quieter, and it feels like a beautiful oasis under the starry skies.
• Since its after dinner it helps with digestion and alleviates that feeling of heaviness after a good meal.
• There are less cars moving around so the air is much cleaner and crispier.

2. Take a luxurious shower or bath.

After your walk, you are likely to feel rejuvenated but sticky with sweat.

Taking a shower at night can be the ultimate skincare routine because you can take your time with the process (unlike in the morning where you may be heading to work or an appointment). You can even take a bath which is great for calming your nerves, giving you a chance to revel and to enjoy the little moments of life.

My night showers always feel like such a much-needed indulgence, and it is something I highly recommend.

3. Drink an herbal tea.

Another self-care activity you can implement is to drink a non-caffeine tea as part of your winding down process. Non-caffeine teas are much better as they will not disrupt your sleep or mess up your energy levels at night.

More so, herbal teas are much better because they come with additional benefits. Some of them provide calming properties, ease digestion, improve sleep quality, and heart health.

Some of my favourite herbal tea options are:

• Peppermint tea – this has antioxidant and antibacterial properties, it is also good for digestive health.
• Camomile tea – has calming properties.
• Spiced ginger tea – great for digestion and has skin benefits. The brand I love has a mix of Ginger, licorice, clove and cinnamon.

You can check out a few more options here.

4. Write in your gratitude journal.

Practicing gratitude is a powerful way to enrich your day as it keeps you in a positive and thankful state, this is further amplified when you do so at night.

Did you know that gratitude journaling can boost your happiness. In this article by Calm, gratitude journaling is said to relieve stress, improve sleep, and encourage resilience.  

I hope you try this out and see how it goes. I imagine it will become one of your best self-care night routines.

5. Write your daily tasks for the next day.

One of the best ways to end one day is to plan for the next day, this includes identifying the key tasks you want to accomplish the next day.

Some productivity gurus suggest we create a daily 3, which are three key tasks or projects we want to tackle each day.

Personally, I have what I call the Daily 5.

These are 5 major tasks I wish to accomplish each day, and it is usually written out in order of priority.

6. Spend time with your loved ones.

Spending meaningful time with your loved can enrich your day and make you feel happier and more fulfilled.

One way we express, and experience self-love is by spending time with those who love and cherish us. Make sure you make time for this.

Even if you live alone, this could be the time to call a loved one to check in on them.

7. Listen to a song or short podcast.

Another self-care routine to practice is to listen to a song or podcast before bed. You could play something in the background while you are doing all the other activities.

I have been known to play songs on YouTube while taking a night shower. This elevates the entire experience and I usually feel much better before bed.  

8. Stretch and unfurl.

Stretching is a long-forgotten practice that is gradually coming back into mainstream society. Today, we have many fitness gurus and health professionals sharing the benefits of stretching.

Stretching is a beautiful self-care activity as it’s a great form of stress relief. It can help our muscles and calm our mind.

The best part is that it doesn’t need to be for long or get too complicated. Two mins of stretching before bed can have you feeling light and languid.

9. Turn down the bed and regulate the room temperature.

I think we often ignore the even the act of getting into bed can be done with intention and joy.

Turning down for bed is the process of clearing the bed of anything that you do not need for sleep, dusting out the sheets, and of course regulating the room temperature so it actually amplifies your sleep rather than stifling it.

10. Read a few pages from an uplifting book.  

You want the last thing you read before bed to be positive and uplifting as it will likely remain in your subconscious and can influence your dreams and the state of your mind when you wake up.

Read from a book that challenges and teach you something. A book filled with useful tips and ideas. It could also be an autobiography that teaches you important life lessons. You can check out this list of the best personal finance books to read.

Bonus

Pray before bed.

This can be the very last thing you do before you shut your eyes. Prayer increases your peace of mind and brings about oneness with something greater than you.

As a Christian, prayer is an intimate moment between me and God.

Praying just before bed is something I’m learning to inculcate into my daily routine. I have noticed that when I do this, I sleep much better and do not have any worrisome dreams.

Over to you!

What self-care routines are you currently practicing?

Do you practice any of the examples in this post?

Do share in the comments. Thanks