Getting a good night time routine going can be vital when it comes to better sleep. But how do you even know where to start with what night time routine ideas to try?
This list of 8 night time routine ideas to try are all things that have worked for me in the past and presently when it comes to getting better sleep. This is without using Melatonin, but if you’re still struggling after trying this list, I’d suggest seeing if that helps. I’ve used it sporadically but have found I can still get a good night time routine going that leads to better and more sleep.
And that’s coming from someone who has had jobs ranging from evening workout instructor getting done as late as 9:30p some nights, to 3a baker.
Getting enough sleep is SUCH a game changer in how you feel throughout the day, recover from your workouts, lose weight and see the results you’re going for.
I know I’ve struggled for months when my routine changed, and some nights you just want to rebel from the world, doom scroll and watch movies all night.
But running on 3-5 hours of sleep each day can only work for so long.
My goal is to show you options to try and help you create a night time routine that will lead to being able to fall asleep better.
I will say though, being a little more “strict” during the day has helped too. And by that I mean trying to stay off my phone and doom scroll, making time for hobbies and workouts, while also making progress on my other goals has helped keep the day busy and full so I’m ready to go to bed at the end of the day.
Related post: Slow and Productive Morning Routine Ideas Before A Busy Work Day
But with that being said, here’s how I’d recommend closing out your day.
This post is all about 8 slow and cozy night time routine ideas for better sleep.
1. Comfort Show
I won’t lie when I say I usually have 3 comfort shows on rotation. I’ll finish one and then start the next one right away or the next day. Sometimes I’ll even start the show over again if I just want to stay in that world a bit more.
But having a comfort show takes away even a little bit of the pressure, excitement, adrenaline and unknown a new show can bring. Making it easier to calm down at the end of the day.
My 3 go-to shows right now are:
Schitt’s Creek
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
The Apothecary Diaries
2. Adult Hobby
Being someone who went from no hobbies, always working, hustle and grind to finally realizing how beneficial and enjoyable simple hobbies can be for ME, I’m highly encouraging them now!
Not everything has to make you money or help you grow and change your life. Sometimes slowing down and being in the present moment is the best thing you can do.
Related post: 5 Simple and Lazy Adult Hobbies to Try
I do put reading under this hobby option as well, but I have to be careful with it. I can become completely consumed by a book, which is great, until it keeps me up 3 hours after I want to go to bed.
So if you want to read a bingable book, I’d recommend starting it 2-3 hours before you want to go to bed so you have a better chance to sleep at a reasonable time.
However, if it’s a cozy or low stakes enough book, reading before or in bed is a great option too.
Just know yourself and the book you’re choosing! Or adjust accordingly.
3. Tea Time
This is something I fall back to when I’m needing a reset or reminder to start winding down. Would I like to do this more often at night? Yes.
I’m just lazy and when I’d like to have my tea would be in bed before falling asleep. But I brush my teeth before bed, head upstairs and know I’ll have to pee after too. And I’m too lazy to want to think about coming back downstairs.
However! If I can’t sleep, know I need to reset after the weekend or just hectic few days, this really does help. If anything, this helps your mind shift into bedtime rather than staying up.
And any sleepytime tea works best. Otherwise just making sure it’s caffeine free.
4. Stretching
This is something I feel you should do to start and end your day, as well as stretching before your workout, but that’s another story.
Stretching is a great way to calm your body down, release any stress from the day and help get it ready for bed.
No matter how comfortable your mattress is, prepping ahead of time with stretching can just make sleep that much better and more enjoyable.
Plus, if you’re going from standing and sitting all day to laying down for hours, it’s another good transition to prep for.
I always incorporate a back stretch, world’s greatest stretch, pigeon pose, cat cow and child’s pose to end it.
Just a couple simple ideas to get started!
5. Night Walk
Just like how I said in my Morning Routine Ideas, getting a quick walk in to end your night can be so nice! Especially at this point in the day, even for me and my current hectic work schedule, evening walks are a bit more cooler, a few less people are out and breathing in that fresh air is just so good for the body.
I know I’m blessed and privileged to live in an area where it’s relatively safe to walk by myself in the morning and evening. I know that can change at any point, but overall it’s a safe neighborhood.
If this isn’t something you feel you can do, and don’t have access to a treadmill or walking pad for a small cozy cardio session, then just skip this idea.
If you can however, a quick 10-15 minute walk can be just the thing to help your night time routine. This would also be a great time to drink your tea while you walk as well!
6. Bubble Bath
I haven’t been able to do this option in a couple years as our current bathtub isn’t a good option to sit in for long.
However! I did go through a phase a few years back where every Thursday I took a longer self care night and added in a bubble bath. This doesn’t have to be an every night thing, but if you enjoy baths, having a time each week set aside to pamper yourself a bit more, make your night time routine a little longer and maybe more robust, can also be a great way to add in more intentional self care.
Just like how I buy myself weekly or biweekly flowers, having a little “luxury” time for yourself is also a great way to prepare for bed.
7. Journal
I suggest journaling at all times of the day, especially when you have things on your mind. Because getting them down on paper takes away the control they can have. They no longer can spiral and spin more thoughts or fears when they’re stuck on paper.
So especially if you have a lot on your mind, journaling is a great way to calm your mind for bed.
I went through years of self help work, journal prompts and trying to “fix myself” when all I needed was a little grace and time to grow and learn as a young adult.
These days I rarely if ever use journal prompts and opt more for brain dump sessions. That’s just taking even 5-10 minutes to write down what’s on my mind. Whether that’s goals, to-do lists, reminders, wants, thoughts, or any spiraling thoughts.
Getting them down on paper, sometimes even organizing them, allows me to let go of the thoughts that I can do nothing about at the moment, and more easily go to bed without fear of forgetting them or next steps.
Sometimes I’ll even hop out of bed, grab a sticky note, write down the thought and that’s enough for me to finally fall asleep.
Don’t underestimate the power of writing things down. Anything!
8. Calming Music
I don’t know about you, but I grew up on Delilah radio and Enya playing as I fell asleep. And there’s something so comforting about being able to listen to that again and fall asleep almost instantly!
Whether it’s that or something else, music that’s calming and relaxing can really help shift you from mind spiraling to calming down more.
This can also be a good time to practice breathing exercises like the 5-5-5 or 4-7-8. This is also a great thing to use when you’re stressed or about to have a panic attack. It “tricks” your body into believing it’s safe and there’s no initial threat.
Doing this for a full song or 10 rounds in bed can help sleep come a little quicker.
The goal of these better night time routine ideas is to replace your screen time, doom scrolling and negative thoughts with something more comforting and helpful.
Limit Phone Time
This list is to not only help calm your mind and body so sleep can come a little easier for you, but to also replace some of that phone time. The goal of all of this is to work on replacing phone time with something else, and looking forward to it!
This has truly been the “secret” for me in getting off my phone more. It’s so easy to stick with the habit of being perpetually online and consuming all the content. Even using it as a way of being more informed, but even that has a limit.
Make sure you’re replacing phone time with something you truly want to do and look forward to it so that it sticks.
Define “free time” and how YOU WANT to spend it. Make sure it’s not for money making because it’s easy to get stuck in that as well.
Night time routine ideas are meant to support you, be selfish and about you, not anyone else.
Remember, everything else can be going well in life with your routine, goals, diet, workouts, etc. But if your sleep is off, inconsistent or just not enough, no amount of self help, hard work and consistency can beat sleep.
Progress > Perfection
Now with these ideas, remember, don’t change everything at once. It’s easy to want to dive into something new especially if it’s supposed to help you. But changing everything up can make it easier to fall back into old habits.
Accept that this will take at least 2 weeks of consistent changes to start sticking. You may have a few days of really good progress, especially if you’re super tired.
But there will be other times where you’re doing a quick scroll, it turns into 3 hours later, your head hurts, your mind is awake even though your body is craving sleep. Stick with it.
I still have nights or evenings where I fall back into old habits, think I’ve “got it down” and can do a quick scroll before bed.
It never turns out that way. Again though, it’s progress over perfection. I’m not as doom and gloom as I have been in the past, I’ve consistently gotten more sleep and, wouldn’t you know, I’m happier and more optimistic when I do!
This post was all about 8 slow and cozy night time routine ideas for better sleep.
I hope this was helpful in giving you some more night time routine ideas, why they can be beneficial and how to go about them.
Ultimately this is your life and there will be some testing to see what works and what doesn’t, and even certain days and periods of life will affect it.
But the better foundation you create starting now is only going to benefit you as you continue this journey through life.
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