It’s often said that a good morning routine sets you up for success throughout the day. But what about an evening routine? Just as important as starting your day off on the right foot is winding down at night and preparing for a good night’s sleep.
Creating an evening routine as part of your routines for moms is a great way to set yourself up for success.
What to Expect:
- What are 4 parts of a good nightly routine?
- What is a simple evening routine?
- When should I start an evening routine?
- How long should an evening routine be?
What are 4 parts of a good nightly routine?
A solid evening routine is a set of habits that are performed in the evening to help you wind down and prepare for bed.
The best evening routines have a mix of activities that are both physical and mental. They can be anything from meditation to reading a book, from taking a bath to going for a walk.
It’s important to note that the best evening routines should be tailored to your own needs, interests, and lifestyle.
1. Establish a healthy routine for your personal needs at bedtime
The most important things is to decide on a regular time when you will go to bed and stick to it, even on weekends. You may need to set an alarm to remind you to do your evening ritual for your physical health (brush your teeth, do your skincare routine, etc.).
2. Avoid stress and create a relaxing atmosphere for sleep
Turn off all screens, including TVs, laptops, video games, and smartphones (except for emergencies), at least an hour before bedtime. By turning off all screens and electronics, you’ll eliminate blue light, which will help you to get better sleep.
Practice gratitude or use calming essential oils while you take a bath to relax and regulate your body temperature. Reading something calming like a book or magazine or even meditating or journaling is great for your mental health and can help to calm you after a busy day.
3. Practice healthy habits during the day
Have a healthy dinner, but avoid eating too close to bedtime. Eat dinner early enough so that it doesn’t interfere with your ability to fall asleep, and avoid caffeine and alcohol to improve your sleep quality.
Exercise during the day to give you a burst of energy throughout the day while helping you to sleep more soundly at night. However, make sure that you avoid exercise or doing anything strenuous too close to your bedtime.
4. Set up your next day
It’s also a good idea to create your to-do list for the following day. In the evening hours, review your calendar, begin to thaw dinner for the next day, and do a “quick clean” around your house.
I set a timer for 15 minutes to clean the kitchen every night before going to bed, followed by five minutes in the living room so that my house looks tidy (and all small things, blankets, and tripping hazards are put away so no one falls in the case of a middle of the night emergency).
This is also the perfect time to check your kids’ homework, make sure lunches are packed for the coming day, and set out shoes, backpacks, etc. for the following morning.
These simple steps will give you peace of mind and help you to have a productive day.
Get the evening routine checklist for adults to set up an effective routine that works for you or use the visual chart for kids.
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What is a simple nighttime routine that helps you get higher quality sleep?
There are many factors that affect the quality of your sleep. But, one of the most important things is how you wind down before going to bed.
The last few hours before you go to bed are what make up your evening routine.
An evening routine can be anything from reading a book, meditating, or taking a warm bath. It can also be as simple as turning off all electronic devices and doing something calming like listening to music or reading a book in dim light while drinking herbal tea or warm milk.
Use the framework above to follow the four basic components of a consistent bedtime routine at the end of your day.
However, if you need to get to bed quickly, you can follow a simple, modified version of your evening routine that will still help you get a good night’s rest. The first step, establish a bedtime and follow your “good health” routine is the most important thing to do at the end of a long day.
When should I start an evening routine?
A great evening routine can be the key to a good night’s sleep and stress relief. But when should you start your evening routine?
Especially for those nights when it just seems to difficult to create and follow an evening routine, here’s How to Create an Evening Routine When You Don’t Want to Leave the Couch.
But really, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. It depends on your sleeping habits and how much time you need to wind down before bed.
If you have trouble falling asleep, starting your evening routine an hour or two before bedtime can help you relax and get into better circadian rhythms.
If you’re not struggling with sleep, there’s no need to set a strict start time for your bedtime routine. Just make sure you allow yourself enough time to relax before turning off the lights.
For most people, the ideal bedtime is around 10 or 11:00 p.m. This gives you enough time to wind down from the day and get some rest before starting fresh the next morning.
However, depending on what time you need to wake up and how much sleep you need, you may need to adjust your bedtime (and your bedtime routine starting time) accordingly so you still get a deep sleep.
How long should an evening routine be?
If you need help starting an evening routine or even deciding what to include in your evening routine, check out the Make Over Your Evenings course. It’s a 14-day guide with step-by-step videos to help you create your ideal evening routine.
A great evening routine is the key to a good night’s sleep and a productive next day. But how long should your evening routine be?
The length of your evening routine will depend on your individual sleeping habits and what works best for you in terms of stress relief.
However, there are some building blocks of a great evening routine that you can aim for, regardless of how long it takes you.
When creating a new evening routine, start with the basics: establish a regular sleep schedule, stick to a relaxing bedtime ritual, practice healthy habits before bed, and set yourself up for success the following day.
Again, if you have more time, feel free to spend more time on each task. However, if you’re in a rush, focus on simplifying your routine and sticking to a bare bones routine that will help you relax while still finishing your most important end of the day tasks.
In conclusion, creating an evening routine is a great way for moms to set themselves up for success. By taking the time to wind down and prepare for the next day, you can ensure a productive and stress-free tomorrow.
Give yourself the gift of a nightly routine and see how it impacts your overall productivity and mood.
Take the time to create a night-time routine that works for you and stick to it!