I’m so excited to share this routine with you. It’s been something I’ve been working on for a long time, trying to pin down exactly what rituals I value enough to be part of my *sacred * and oh-so-important wind-down time before bed.
: DISCONNECT
Unwind by disconnecting from the demands of others. Around 9:30 pm my phone goes on do not disturb and gets put on the charger. It takes away so much of the temptation to be on my phone late at night or early in the morning when there are other tasks and rituals I have a lot more interest in intentionally taking part in.
: SHOWER + SKINCARE ROUTINE
Showering offers a great chance to reset from the day, reduce stress, and come to bed feeling fresh and truly cleansed. Try an essential oil shower with soothing oils like lavender or roman chamomile for an added bonus.
Taking care of your skin is so important! But it’s also very individual so while I’m not going to include specifics here, I will let you know that my skincare routine generally involves an oil for a makeup remover, a cleanser, hyaluronic acid, a spot treatment, and a moisturizer. Throughout the week I’ll also add an exfoliator, ice roller, and/or face mask into the mix.
: BREW TEA
Sleepytime tea is a staple in my current routine. Brewing tea in itself is a super simple and relaxing ritual, and combinations of lavender, chamomile, valerian root, and passionflower help to relieve stress and induce sleep.
: JOURNALING
This is a time for me to practice gratitude by reflecting on the blessings I have in my day + current life. I also use this time to journal anything else that’s on my mind so I can sleep peacefully, without millions of thoughts and to-dos running through my head.
: BRUSH TEETH
An essential part of any nighttime routine. This really signals to my body that the time for fasting + resting has begun. Make the swap to a bamboo toothbrush and low-waste toothpaste (the container is glass!) for a more sustainable option.
: NIGHTTIME YOGA, READING, OR ANOTHER WIND-DOWN ACTIVITY
I like to give myself time in the evening to unwind, but how I unwind often varies. Here are a few options:
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Rolling out my yoga mat and grounding myself. I’ve been loving my yoga routine lately. Yoga is such a great practice to incorporate into your day, and it’s currently a part of both my morning and night ideal routines. I love the opportunity to stretch, unwind, and really focus on just being rather than doing (*remember we are human beings, not humans doing!!). My favorite nighttime yoga videos to follow along with are Yoga with Adriene’s 12-minute wind-down yoga and Yoga TX’s winding down & relaxing 10-minute yoga.
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If I can, I also like to use 15-20 minutes before bed to indulge in a book on my never-ending list of reads.
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Watching TV – though maybe not always ideal (hello blue light), sometimes I just want to put on a funny show and that’s okay too! I just make sure I have my blue light-blocking glasses on.
: DIFFUSER + SLEEP SPRAYS
After a long day, I need a space that brings me back down to earth and helps me unwind.
One thing I’ve really been loving lately is this room spray from Amazon. Having a signature scent I associate with feelings of warmth + relaxation makes it so whenever I smell it I immediately feel at peace + at home. So, I spray this on my bed right before entering it!
It also accompanies this Aroma Om® White Saje Diffuser and the Saje ‘yoga’ diffusing blend so well (use my link to get $10 off your first purchase), which is a grounding mix to help you feel centered and at peace. I find this combination really helps me to relax and unwind into a deep slumber. Another option is a DIY lavender spray!
: TURN ON OCEAN SOUNDS
*Hey Google, play ocean sounds*. This is my way of drowning out the outside and pretending instead that I live in California by the ocean.
And there it is, a comprehensive list of all the things I (ideally) include in my nighttime routine. I hope these rituals and routines inspire you to make the most of your wind-down time, giving you the opportunity to relax and go to bed carefree.