My Magical 90-Minute Evening Routine
Have you ever felt like your mornings are filled with chaos and you’re already worn out before the day has even started? Perhaps the answer to that lies not in how you begin your day, but rather, in how you end it. This may sound counterintuitive, but read on to discover why.
Why an evening routine is important
Evening routines are often undervalued, usually seen as an afterthought in our busy lives. However, countless studies and a vast body of research have demonstrated the transformative power of an effective nighttime routine.
Establishing a deliberate and consistent evening routine can lead to improved sleep quality, lower stress levels, heightened productivity during the day, and even increased overall happiness.
When we prepare our minds and bodies for rest, we allow enough sleep for rejuvenation and repair, setting the stage for a more productive and harmonious day ahead.
An effective evening routine not only helps improve the quality of your sleep, but it can also set the stage for a more productive and enjoyable morning.
A good evening routine often leads to reduced morning stress. Planning your next day the night before can significantly reduce morning stress. By deciding on your outfit, preparing your breakfast, or organizing your work materials beforehand, you reduce the number of decisions and tasks you need to handle the next morning.
An effective evening routine not only prepares you for a good night’s sleep but also equips you for a successful start to the next day, reinforcing a positive cycle of productivity and well-being.
Now that we have established the importance of a evening routine, I’d like to take you on a journey through my personal 90-minute magical nighttime routine.
This routine has been a labor of love, carefully tweaked and refined over the years to best serve my needs. It’s a blend of self-care, relaxation, and preparation that ensures I wake up feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day ahead. The process may seem lengthy, but every minute invested is a gift to myself, aiding in more restful sleep and more peaceful mornings.
I’m excited to share this personal ritual with you, in hopes that it inspires you to create your own magical nighttime routine.
The Purpose and Benefits of a Evening Routine
A consistent evening routine offers a myriad of benefits that contribute not just to better sleep, but to a higher quality of life overall. A solid routine signals to your brain that it’s time to unwind and prepare for rest, leading to more predictable sleep patterns.
It also provides a buffer between the day’s stresses and the peacefulness of good night’s sleep, allowing for a mental and emotional reset.
Routines give our lives with a sense of order and predictability. This not only reduces anxiety but also frees up mental energy that can be used more productively elsewhere.
Consistent morning routines can also lead to healthier habits. For example, a routine that includes skincare will likely result in healthier skin, and a routine with a dedicated slot for reading or learning can lead to personal growth over time.
How an evening routine improves sleep quality
The National Sleep Foundation recommends maintaining a regular sleep schedule and establishing a bedtime ritual as keys to good sleep hygiene.
The reason behind this is that our bodies operate on a circadian rhythm – a natural, internal process that regulates the body temperature and sleep-wake cycle. This cycle repeats every 24 hours. By sticking to a consistent bedtime routine, we reinforce this rhythm, which aids in better, more restful sleep.
Sleep quality, in turn, is deeply intertwined with our overall well-being. Numerous studies have shown that poor or insufficient sleep can lead to a host of health problems, including weight gain, memory issues, mood changes, weakened immunity, high blood pressure, and more.
On the other hand, quality sleep can enhance cognitive function, mood, and general performance.
By including self-care activities in our routine, we signal to ourselves that we are a priority. This can lead to improvements in self-esteem and may even foster a more positive relationship with ourselves.
This heightened sense of self-worth contributes to our overall well-being, demonstrating that a consistent evening routine impacts more than just our nights – it enhances our overall quality of life.
My Personal experience and insights about the benefits
About 2 years ago, I was seriously struggling with sleep. After trying everything from prescribed medication, micro dosing, to OTC sleep aids, I realized something bigger was going on. My life was out of wack. It wasn’t sleep that I needed to fix, it was the poor management in other areas of my life that was resulting in sleep issues.
Poor time management and organization
I was a workaholic with poor boundaries who woke up just in time to start work. Each minute of my day was either filled with business task or mindless activities. I was trying to remember everything I had to do with memory and I would come down pretty hard on myself when I didn’t get things done.
Lack of stillness and reflection
I was always on the go, until I crashed and once I recuperated, it was back to the races. It wasn’t sustainable and eventually I got overwhelmed and it led to depression.
By creating and being consistent with an evening routine, I took back control of my life. I had better mornings, practiced more self care and felt overall more relaxed and at peace. I started to learn about myself and what I needed.
This led to regular meditation practice that has altered the course of my entire life in very meaningful way. I started reading more and being on my phone less. I took better care of myself and felt less stressed. Eventually, I would lay in bed and knock out in 5-10 minutes. I finally gave my mind and body permission to rest.
Detailed Breakdown of MY 90-Minute Night Time Routine
A. Initial 15 minutes: (Planning)
I get my planner out and do a brain dump of everything I need to do the next day. Often, our minds race with thoughts of the upcoming day’s tasks as we try to fall asleep.
This can create anxiety and make it harder to relax before falling asleep. By planning your day the night before, you’re able to clear your mind and alleviate these concerns, allowing for a more peaceful transition into sleep.
Knowing that you have a plan for the next day can help you sleep peacefully and eliminate the ‘what ifs’ that might keep you awake. This peace of mind can contribute to better sleep quality and leave you feeling more rested upon waking
B. Next 15 minutes: ( Reflection)
Journaling before bed can have a wide range of benefits for both your mental and emotional well-being. This includes space to put your thoughts, worries, and stresses onto paper, provides an opportunity for introspection and self-reflection.
Journaling about emotions and experiences, particularly difficult ones, can help you process them and promote emotional healing.If used as a gratitude journal, it can help shift focus onto positive aspects of your life, fostering a more positive mindset and improving overall happiness.
C. Next 15 minutes: ( relaxation the body)
I make a warm cup of tea and put soothing relaxation music on like jazz or meditation music. I then move into some winding down activities like yoga or stretching.
This is also the time I disconnect from all electronics. Constant connection can lead to feelings of stress and anxiety. By disconnecting, you’re giving your mind a break from the constant influx of information, potentially reducing stress levels and promoting relaxation.
D. Next 15 minutes: ( Hygiene)
Here is when I get all fresh and clean, literally washing away the day. Hygiene and skincare are crucial elements of a nighttime routine. Taking time to cleanse your body and prepare it for rest can have numerous benefits, from clearer skin to improved health.
I brush my teeth, take nice warm shower and treat my skin. Integrating these hygiene and skincare steps into your nighttime routine not only contributes to improved health and appearance, but the ritualistic nature of these routines can also serve as a signal to your body that it’s time to wind down and prepare for rest.
E. Next 15 minutes: (Relax the mind)
During this time I do a bit of reading. Reading can transport you to another world, helping you escape from daily stresses. This mental distraction allows tension to decrease and promotes relaxation, which is beneficial for preparing the body for sleep.
Reading strengthens brain networks and can improve functions like memory and focus. It stimulates the brain, but not in the same way that intense activities or screen time do, making it a perfect pre-sleep activity.Reading stimulates the imagination, fostering creativity.
This can be beneficial not just for those in creative professions, but for anyone seeking innovative solutions or ideas.Many people find the act of reading soothing. Coupled with a cozy bed and soft lighting, reading can be a relaxing and enjoyable part of your nighttime routine.
Incorporating reading into your bedtime routine can provide not only these immediate benefits, but also foster a lifelong love of learning and self-improvement.
E. Final 15 minutes: ( Connection with Self and Source)
Regular meditation can reduce stress and anxiety levels. The practice of mindfulness meditation encourages relaxation and can help you learn to manage stressful thoughts, which can be particularly beneficial in the calm before sleep.
The practice of focusing your mind and slowing your breathing during meditation can promote physical relaxation, helping your body prepare for sleep.
Meditating before bed can provide a space to process the day’s emotions and events, promoting mental clarity and emotional balance. It allows you the space to truly hear your hearts desire and let everything go, all at the same time.
Tips and Tricks for a Successful Evening Time Routine
Importance of consistency and regularity
Establishes Healthy Habits: Consistency is the key to habit formation. The more often you perform a behavior, the more it becomes ingrained in your routine. Over time, these habits become automatic, reducing the effort needed to maintain them.
Promotes Discipline and Self-Control: Regularly sticking to a routine, even when you may not feel like it, fosters discipline and self-control. These are valuable skills that can be applied in other areas of your life.
Leads to Progress and Improvement: Whether it’s a workout routine, a learning activity, or a skincare regimen, consistency leads to progress. Small, regular actions can lead to significant improvements over time.
Reduces Stress and Decision Fatigue: When you have a routine, you know exactly what you need to do and when. This reduces the number of decisions you need to make each day (known as decision fatigue) and can lower stress levels.
Improves Sleep: Consistency in your sleep and wake times can improve sleep quality and duration. This is because it aligns with your body’s natural circadian rhythm, reducing sleep disturbances.
Promotes Stability: Routines provide a sense of order and predictability. In an ever-changing world, this stability can be comforting and can improve mental well-being.
Increases Efficiency: When actions become habitual through regular repetition, you can do them more efficiently. This can save time and energy.
Supports Goal Achievement: Regularity and consistency are key to achieving long-term goals. Consistent actions aligned with your goals will gradually bring you closer to achieving them.
Create a personalized routine
Identify Your Needs and Goals: What do you hope to achieve with your nighttime routine? It could be better sleep, more relaxation, improved skin health, or personal growth. Understanding your objectives can guide the creation of your routine.
Consider Your Lifestyle: Your routine should fit into your life, not disrupt it. Consider your work hours, family responsibilities, and other commitments. The best routine is one that can be consistently followed.
Start Small: If you’re new to having a nighttime routine, start with one or two activities. This could be as simple as reading for 15 minutes or applying a night cream. As these actions become habitual, you can gradually add more elements.
Sequence Matters: The order of your activities can impact the effectiveness of your routine. Generally, it’s beneficial to transition from more active tasks to more relaxing ones, signaling to your body that it’s time to sleep.
Make It Enjoyable: Your routine should include activities you enjoy. This makes it more likely you’ll stick to the routine and look forward to it each night.
Be Flexible: Understand that some nights, you may not be able to complete your entire routine. That’s okay! Flexibility is key to maintaining a routine long-term.
Trial and Adjust: Don’t be afraid to tweak your routine as you go. If you find that a certain activity isn’t serving you or isn’t enjoyable, replace it. Your routine should evolve as your needs and lifestyle change.
Consistency is Key: Finally, remember that consistency is more important than perfection. Aim to follow your routine regularly, but don’t worry if you miss a night or two.
Troubleshooting common obstacles in maintaining a nighttime routine
Lack of Time: Life can get busy, and finding time for a complete nighttime routine can sometimes feel impossible.
Solution: Prioritize and simplify your routine. Identify the most impactful elements of your routine and focus on those. If necessary, break your routine into smaller parts that can be done at different times in the evening.
Inconsistency: Some days, you might just not feel like sticking to your routine.
Solution: Try to establish your routine as a habit. Start with small, manageable tasks and gradually build up. Remember that consistency is more important than perfection. Even if you can’t do your full routine, doing part of it is better than doing nothing at all.
Interruptions: Interruptions, whether from family, roommates, or unexpected work, can throw off your routine.
Solution: Communicate the importance of your routine to those around you and kindly request that they respect this time. Also, turn off unnecessary electronic distractions. For unavoidable interruptions, be flexible and resume your routine when you can.
Not Seeing Immediate Results: You might feel discouraged if you don’t see immediate benefits from your routine.
Solution: Remember that the benefits of a routine often come from consistent practice over time. Be patient and give your routine time to work. Also, remember to focus on intrinsic benefits, like the relaxation or sense of accomplishment you feel after your routine, not just external results.
Lack of Enjoyment: If your routine feels like a chore, you’re less likely to stick with it.
Solution: Make sure your routine includes activities you genuinely enjoy and look forward to. This will make your routine feel less like a task and more like a rewarding part of your day.
Fatigue: Sometimes, you might be too tired to complete your routine.
Solution: Listen to your body. If you’re truly exhausted, it might be best to go straight to bed. However, consider whether this fatigue is a one-time occurrence or a sign that you need to adjust your daytime activities or sleep schedule to ensure you have enough energy in the evening.
Time to put it into action
In this post, we’ve explored the power and magic of a well-planned 90-minute nighttime routine. From the numerous benefits of consistent evening routines, such as improved sleep quality, stress reduction, and enhanced overall well-being, to the importance of key elements like skincare and dental hygiene, journaling, reading, and meditation.
We’ve also highlighted the benefits of planning for the next day before you go to bed, disconnecting from electronic devices, and the importance of having a consistent and regular routine.
Now that you’ve learned about the components of a magical nighttime routine, it’s time to create one that’s perfectly suited to you.
Remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all night routine. What works for one person might not work for you, and that’s perfectly okay. Your routine should be tailored to your lifestyle, needs, and preferences. Consider what relaxes you, prepares you for sleep, and sets you up for a successful day ahead.
Found this post useful? Don’t keep it to yourself! Share it with your friends, family, and social media followers. They might also find it helpful in their night routines and establishing their magical nighttime routine.
Want more tips on wellness, lifestyle, and other productivity tips? Subscribe to our blog! By subscribing, you’ll get our latest posts delivered straight to your inbox.
