7 Proven Tips for a Mindful Night Routine

How to have a mindful bedtime routine that helps you fall asleep faster

You’ve probably stumbled across this post because you want to come up with a mindful night routine that actually works.

You’re in the right place, as today’s post will tell you how to have the most relaxing evening routine ever! Without further ado, let’s dive into it.

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Now let’s talk about some really good night routine ideas

1. Avoid stimulants

Stimulants keep our alertness levels high and increase our wakefulness. They reduce the feeling of sleepiness and, therefore, lead to difficulty getting good sleep.

There are a lot of stimulants, but coffee is probably the most well-known of them. I’m a coffeeholic, so I can drink coffee straight before going to bed.

That’s why I was really surprised when I read that it’s generally recommended to drink around 3–4 cups of coffee a day.

What a bummer! Coffee is so good, I know! So what can we do in order to not give up on coffee but still fall asleep better? First, make it a habit not to drink coffee after 2–3 p.m.

The general idea is to drink the “strongest” coffee first, and later you can try decaffeinated coffee or even tea (this set has a great range of choices).

Another tip I once read about is choosing a smaller cup size. It’s pretty logical.

We tend to opt for the biggest cup, fill it up, and drink it all. Use a smaller cup, drink it slowly, and your body will thank you.

Another stimulant is exercise. Try to avoid vigorous exercise before bedtime. Light yoga or stretching is generally allowed, but you should leave sprinting and jumping to your morning routine.

If you’re interested in learning how to develop a productive morning routine, read this post about the billion-dollar morning routine that you need to try out.

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2. Prepare for the following morning

Preparing for the following morning plays a huge part in creating a mindful routine that works. Why?

Preparing the night before gives us fewer reasons to make excuses. I don’t know about you, but I certainly tend to make a lot of excuses in the morning.

“I can’t work out because I can’t find my workout clothes.”

“I don’t know what to work on because I didn’t prepare my daily schedule, so I’m going to make coffee instead.”

I think you can tell it’s the wrong approach. If we prepare, we also don’t have to waste time thinking about which tasks to do.

My number one preparation tip is to make a to-do list for the next day. It helps clear your head and gives you an overview of the tasks you’re going to tackle the next day.

Here are other fun lists to make to organize your life this month. Prepare your breakfast as much as you can. Overnight oatmeal is so good and takes so little time to make!

Prepare your lunch. Sometimes, unexpected things happen when we least expect them, so you might be in a hurry the next day.

To avoid slapping together an unhealthy sandwich or spending money on takeout, prepare your lunch the night before. Here’s a good set of food storage containers suitable for every meal.

Pack your bag if you know you’re heading out. In the evening, you’ll have more time to think everything through, and you won’t forget anything.

Check the weather forecast and prepare your clothes accordingly. I tend to be quite indecisive in the mornings, so it will take me longer to choose a suitable outfit.

That’s why I do it as part of my evening routine.

Tidy a little bit. Do the dishes and clean your room. You don’t have to deep-clean your home. Just make sure you won’t trip over toys when you wake up in the morning.

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3. Hygiene ritual

When it comes to nighttime hygiene rituals, it’s still something I’m working on. I’ve always had problematic skin.

Always. No matter what I did, how much water I drank, or which products I tried, nothing seemed to help.

A little while ago, I discovered the Ordinary products. My skin isn’t still perfect, but it’s better. This brand is probably something a lot of you have heard about, but hear me out first.

The Ordinary products are super cheap, yet they work. I’m not sure why they ask for so little money for such amazing products, but hey—more money for me!

I have so many favorites, but my top three favorites from Ordinary are the Glycolic Acid 7% Solution, the Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%, and, of course, the TikTok-famous AHA 30% + BHA 2% peeling solution.

So when we talk about having a proper nighttime skin routine, everyone is different. You have to find what works for you.

Some people use tons of products, and some people use just a few, and that’s fine. Skincare is something that I can’t really give advice on since everyone’s skin is so different.

However, it’s really important to keep your skin hydrated and clean. Drink water. Lots of it. It’s one of the biggest investments you can make in yourself.

Here’s the greatest water bottle of all time to keep you motivated.

If you’re interested in reading about more ways to invest in yourself and change your life forever, make sure to read this post about bulletproof ways to truly invest in your future.

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4. Be mindful

For me, being mindful means being aware and really concentrating. My favorite way to be mindful as part of my mindful evening routine is by reflecting on my day.

What did I achieve? What do I have to be grateful for? What mistakes did I make, and how can I avoid them in the future? For me, striving for better is a huge part of my personal growth journey.

Being mindful doesn’t only mean reflecting. There are a lot of ways to unwind after a stressful day.

You can do some personal growth journaling, you can try mindful meditation, and you can do breathing exercises.

You can also practice positive affirmations, put on some calming music, or even practice gratitude.

Find something that works for you. Don’t just sit in front of your TV every night. I’m sorry if that sounds offensive, but I’ve been there.

I would watch Netflix every night, and I would just waste that huge potential that was inside me. That huge potential is inside you too, and you need to use it.

If you want to know how to have a productive night, listen to my advice and try to do at least something different from your current routine.

This is my favorite thing to remind myself of: every small step you take leads you toward a better life. Strive for better because you deserve better.

5. No screen time

Having no screen time is among the best tips for creating a mindful night routine.

Digital devices emit artificial blue light that increases your alertness and makes it difficult to fall asleep.

All of it because it interferes with melatonin production. Melatonin is basically a sleep hormone. That’s why it’s really important to have a proper, relaxing nighttime routine in place.

It helps prevent us from mindlessly scrolling on our phones because we already have a nice schedule to follow.

Make it a habit to read for 15–30 minutes every night. It helps broaden your knowledge and calms you down, and you’ll have fewer difficulties falling asleep.

When we talk about digital devices, we also have to talk about blue-light glasses. Blue-light glasses help to restore melatonin production.

They protect your eyes from this dangerous light throughout the day.

If you spend a lot of time in front of digital devices, I highly suggest you invest in a pair of blue-light glasses. They are cheap, yet they will make a HUGE difference.

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6. Set the mood

Setting the mood is so important. By creating a comfortable environment, we’re telling our brain that it’s time to go to sleep.

We all have different activities that spark joy in us, so I’m going to give you a few suggestions.

Take a warm self-care bath every now and then. Dim the lights, make yourself a cup of good tea, and listen to soothing music.

You can even try aromatherapy (here’s a good kit for beginners) if you’re into it. Keep your room on the cooler side, as it helps you fall asleep faster.

If your room tends to be too dry, it’s good to have a good humidifier like this one in your bedroom. Dry air leads to many health issues, from respiratory problems to skin issues.

7. Relax

When I was thinking about how to have a mindful night routine that works, I immediately thought about relaxing.

When I go to bed, my mind usually tends to wander around. I’m a naturally anxious person, so I had to find relaxation techniques that worked for me.

So I told myself that instead of going to bed and starting to worry (hint: it won’t help you fall asleep at all), I’m going to try visualizing and manifesting.

Manifesting plays a huge part in my life. It allows me to get exactly what I want. It takes time and patience, but it works.

I know a lot of people don’t believe in it, but I suggest you give it a try, as you literally have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

I also believe that manifesting has no strict written rules. I just try to visualize my dream life every time I go to bed.

I try to act and feel as if I’m already living this life. Remember, positive thoughts attract positive things, and negative thoughts attract negative things.

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FAQ: Why should you have a relaxing routine before bed?

Here are some of the benefits of incorporating a relaxing routine into your bedtime routine:

It helps you unwind

A relaxing routine can help you unwind and prepare for sleep by transitioning from the stress and stimulation of the day to a state of calm and relaxation.

It improves sleep quality

A soothing routine before bedtime can help you sleep more deeply and for longer periods of time.

This could be due to the release of hormones and neurotransmitters that regulate the sleep-wake cycle, such as melatonin.

Reduced stress

A calming routine can help reduce stress and promote a sense of peace and calm. This can lead to better mental health and well-being, as well as more restful sleep.

It improves sleep hygiene

Developing a consistent bedtime routine helps regulate your body’s internal clock. This can result in better sleep quality as well as improved physical and mental health.

It provides structure and routine

A consistent relaxing routine before bed can provide structure and routine. This is especially beneficial for people who suffer from sleep disorders or have difficulty sleeping.

Creating a mindful night routine that actually works

That’s it for this blog post about some really good evening routine ideas. Let me know what your healthy nighttime routine looks like. I’d love to know!