10 Things to Do Before Bed for Best Nighttime Routine

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Bedtime routines are not as popular as morning routines. But ending your day the right way is necessary for your health and wellness. Hence in this post, I am sharing 10 Things to Do Before Bed for Best Nighttime Routine. Positive activities before bedtime help you build a bedtime routine that leads to a better life. A good night’s sleep with peace of mind is achieved when you end the day mindfully and not by spending time on social media. So follow along to build yourself a relaxing, cozy nighttime routine.

Benefits of a Bedtime Routine

Here are some benefits of establishing a night time routine

• It improves your sleep quality
• Reduces stress and anxiety
• It improves your physical health
• It positively contributes to better mental health
• You are better prepared for the next day

How to Establish a Bedtime Routine

Establishing a bedtime routine can be challenging, especially if you are inconsistent with sleep time. Here are a few ways to help you establish a sustainable bed time routine.

• Start small and gradually build your before-bed routine.
• Build a consistent sleep schedule.
• Learn to unwind after work. You can read my post 5 step system to help you relax and unwind after a busy day
• Create a relaxing environment in the evening.
• Limit exposure to electronic devices.
• Incorporate calming activities before bed.

10 Before Bed Routine Ideas for Nighttime Routine

Here are 10 activities to do before bedtime to build a relaxing and cozy nighttime routine.

1: Prepare for the next day

I prefer to start my bed time routine by preparing myself for the next day. This makes my morning easy and takes away the stress and anxiety for the next day allowing me to sleep well. Here are a few things that I like to do before bed to prepare for the next day.

• Set aside clothes for the next day.
• Give a glance at the meal plan for the next day just to prepare myself. Do some breakfast prep like making overnight oats, soaking pulses, or making a dough that needs overnight resting, etc.
• Layout things that I may need in the morning such as tiffin boxes, tiffin bags or anything that I always forget to carry at work.
• Putting my phone, ear pod, smart watch for charging.

Spend some time on your everyday activities, especially things that you do in the morning, and try to find things that are not time-consuming but can be done the previous night to make your next day easy.

2: Tidy up your space

Once when I call the day off and before heading for the bed I like to do a quick reset of the house. This is not cleaning the house but just tidying things up to have a fresh start for the next day. This typically includes

• Setting up the cushions and throw blankets the right way.
• Putting away things back to their assigned place.
• Closing the windows and doors, and putting off all the nights in other areas of the house.

Clutter brings chaos and for a good sleep having a clean space around is a must. Moreover getting up in the morning to an organized and tidy space brings a positive start to your day. Tidying up space is different for everyone, for you, it may be tidying up your work desk, bedside table, or making a bed for a comfortable sleep.

You need not spend a lot of time on it, just 5 to 10 minutes should be sufficient. To start I would recommend you to set a timer and finish up tidying the space around you before the time runs off.

3: Create your to-do list or review your next day

Create your to-do list before going to bed to maximize productivity and reduce morning stress. Spend a few minutes before bed to jot down tasks and priorities for the next day. By writing down your tasks, you transfer them from your mind onto paper, freeing up mental space and allowing you to fully unwind and relax. Having a clear plan for the next day can help you sleep better, as it prevents your mind from racing with thoughts about what needs to be accomplished.

I prefer to do weekly planning for all the major tasks for the week but each night I add any last-minute tasks to the list or review my next day. I use a spreadsheet-based life planner that includes everyday tasks, monthly plans, daily routines, meal plans for the day, and more. So I just update it and the next day it show me exactly everything I needed to do.

4: Take a warm water bath

After tidying up and preparing for the next day, take a warm bath. Use this time to be present and mindful. Enjoy the refreshing feeling of the bath. Make the bath more fun with some music if you like. Use a nice shower gel and simply enjoy your bath. I consider this time as me-time to relax before going to bed. The feeling of freshness after this warm water bath, followed by entering your clean bed is incredibly satisfying.

5: Skin Care

Do a quick skin care after the bath it not only helps to maintain good skin but also feels relaxing. Skin care before bed is best for busy women who often struggle with limited time for self-care during the day. Taking a few minutes each night to pamper your skin can do wonders in maintaining a healthy and glowing complexion. As the day comes to an end, it is important to remove all traces of makeup, dirt, and pollutants that have accumulated on the skin’s surface. I occasionally use a scrub and use a moisturizer and vitamin C serum daily.

6: Limit screen time

Limiting screen time before going to bed is crucial for a restful night’s sleep. With the excessive use of electronic devices a common habit these days, it’s no wonder many of us struggle to fall asleep quickly. The bright blue light emitted from screens, such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops, suppresses the production of melatonin – the hormone responsible for regulating our sleep-wake cycle. This can lead to difficulty in falling asleep and a disrupted sleep pattern. By reducing screen time before bed, we allow our bodies to wind down naturally and promote a more peaceful and restorative sleep.

7: Create a cozy environment

Create a cozy environment as part of your nighttime routine to enhance relaxation and promote restful sleep. It helps in relaxing and unwinding after a long day. I prefer to have dim lights after sunset to create a soothing ambiance. To make a cozy ambiance, begin by dimming the lights and opting for warm, soft lighting sources like lamps, string lights, or light candles.

You can fill the room with gentle, calming scents through the use of essential oils or scented candles, such as lavender or chamomile, known for their calming properties. Lastly, include snuggly, comforting elements like plush pillows, cozy blankets, and fluffy rugs to not only add a touch of luxury but also provide a sense of physical comfort and relaxation.

8: Meditate or stretch your body

Meditate or stretch your body before going to bed at night to achieve a deeper and more restful sleep. As the day winds down, it’s essential to unwind and let go of any lingering stress or tension in your body and mind. Engaging in a few minutes of meditation or gentle stretching can provide numerous benefits, both mentally and physically. Meditation allows you to reconnect with the present moment, clearing your mind from the day’s worries and allowing you to fully relax.

Additionally, stretching your body relieves muscle tightness and promotes better blood circulation, minimizing the chances of experiencing nighttime discomfort. By incorporating these practices into your bedtime routine, you can create a peaceful and harmonious transition into sleep, ensuring that you wake up feeling refreshed and rejuvenated the next morning. I prefer to practice meditation and stretching alternately when I have less time at night.

9: Have a glass of milk

End your day with a warm glass of milk. Drinking milk before bed has many benefits. It produces hormones that help you sleep better. Milk has tryptophan, an essential amino acid, warm milk helps stimulate the production of serotonin and melatonin – the “happiness” and “sleep” hormones, respectively. Moreover, the soothing warmth of the milk provides a comforting sensation, helping to alleviate any tension or anxiety that may be keeping you awake. So, before going to bed have a warm milk to enhance your sleep quality.

10: Read a book or listen to an audiobook

Reading a book before going to bed is a good way to spend some quiet time with yourself and nourish your mind. You can spend as little as 5 minutes reading before bed. Reading before bed is a better option instead of spending time on social media. You can choose between fiction and non-fiction books. I prefer to read non-fiction, and self-help books. You can read on Kindle or listen to audiobooks

Conclusion

A good nighttime routine contributes profoundly to your sleep and wellness. The 10 before-bedtime activities shared in this post will help you make a good bedtime routine that will help you relax, rejuvenate, and help you start the next day on the right note.

Related posts you may like:

5 steps to build a morning routine before work that is best for you

How to have a productive day

How to organize your life and make it better

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