20 Practical Tips On Creating A Soothing Evening Routine

So tell me if this is a familiar scene, it’s 1 am, you have to wake up within 5 hours but the last episode of the latest hit show on Netflix is too good to miss.

Most of us have similar stories where we are awake till late night only to feel groggy and inactive the next morning.

So how do we change that? How do we wake up refreshed for a new day?

Simple by creating a soothing evening routine which allows us to organize for the next day as well as feel rested.

There are some activities you can do to be better organized for the next day while some others to help you relax and unwind before bedtime.

This article will give you some practical tips to help you prepare better for the next day as well as have a relaxing evening routine by slowing down, and, practicing some self-care.

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20 Activities for a Soothing Evening Routine

These evening routine activities are categorized into 2 parts.

The first part relates to all the productive activities that will help you to prepare for the next morning.

The second part and my favorite are all things that make up for a cozy evening, allowing you to gradually unwind for the day.

Here I must say, you don’t have to do everything mentioned here. Choose activities which you think will make your evenings better.

Evening Chores to Prepare for the Next Day

It can be so useful to create an evening routine that prepares you for the next day.

Mornings, especially on weekdays can be crazy hectic so any activity that gives you a head start for the next day is worth doing.

It will help also make your mornings more peaceful where you actually get time for activities like exercise or enjoying your breakfast.

Since there’s quite a bit of evening tasks mentioned in this list, select your chores wisely.

Make Your Daily Task List in The Evening

Taking a few minutes in the evening to write down key tasks for the next day helps you stay organized and reduces stress in the morning.

Whether it’s work deadlines, errands, or personal goals, having a clear plan allows you to start your day with purpose instead of feeling scattered.

A simple checklist or a planner can make a big difference in staying productive and focused.

Do your Meal Prep

If you are into eating healthy and home-cooked meals try to finish as much meal prep for your breakfast and lunch while cooking your dinner.

For example, fill up your coffee machine the previous night, place your mug next to the machine so that next morning you only have to switch-on the start button.

If you want to be more efficient, get into the habit of weekly meal planning, it will save you so much time on buying groceries and preparing your meals.

Select nutritious meals which can be prepared in under an hour or so.

Finally, you don’t want to wake up to a sink full of dirty dishes, so after having dinner no matter how tired you are, load the dishwasher.

Lay Out Your Outfit

Choosing what to wear in advance saves valuable time and decision-making energy during busy mornings.

Instead of rushing to find an outfit, you’ll have everything ready to go, making your morning routine smoother.

This is especially helpful for workdays, important meetings, or any event where you want to feel confident and put-together.

If you’re unsure about the weather, checking the forecast the night before can help you make a more practical choice. Here are some more quick grooming and beauty tips for busy women.

• TIP: Arrange your entire week outfits on Sundays it will give you so much mental peace.

Arrange Your Handbag

Packing your essentials the night before ensures that you don’t forget anything important in the morning.

Keeping daily essentials, like keys, wallet, phone, and everything else in place saves you from last-minute scrambling.

This small habit can prevent unnecessary stress and help you leave the house feeling prepared and organized.

Get a purse organizer to make your life easier.

Ensure Your Bed is Comfortable

When your bed is clean and comfortable it can make a huge difference in sleep quality.

Fluff your pillows, straighten your sheets, and make sure your blankets are arranged for maximum coziness.

Ensure your sheets are fresh. Fabrics like cotton or bamboo can help regulate body temperature, preventing you from feeling too hot or too cold.

Charge Your Device

Ensuring that your phone, laptop, smartwatch, or any other essential devices are fully charged can save you a lot of hassle in the morning.

The last thing you want is to wake up to a dead phone or laptop, especially if you rely on them for work.

Soothing Evening Routine Ideas to Unwind

Now let’s get to the cozy and soothing evening activities that allow you to unwind for the day. After all that prep for the next day you need the time to finally relax and prepare for bedtime.

Do A Few Stretches For Better Sleep

Try to incorporate a 5-minute stretching routine before bedtime to regulate your sleep.

Yoga poses like the Happy Baby or Ananda Balaasan are also helpful.

Of late, I have been really digging into yin yoga as the stretches help in releasing any body tension. Here is a video on introduction to yin yoga, you might find useful.

Meditate with the 4-7-8 Breathing Technique

Meditating in the evening can be great for relaxing your body, particularly if you are stressed.

It also helps in regulating your anxious thoughts by calming you down.

Try The 4-7-8 Breathing Technique For Relaxation

• Make a whoosh sound and exhale completely through the mouth.
• Then inhale slowly through your nose, to the count of 4 and keep your mouth closed. Hold your breath till count of 7.
• Then exhale deeply through your mouth by making another whoosh sound to the count of 8.

Repeat this cycle 3-4 times for better sleep.

Read a Book Before Bedtime

There is nothing more satisfying than snuggling in bed and reading a good story.

Read something nice and light that uplifts your mood.

If you want some positivity before bedtime I would recommend you to try 10% Happier by Dan Harris.

Here are some more book recommendations you may enjoy.

• Related Post: 10 Inspiring Books for Women Entrepreneurs

Journal Your Thoughts

Reflect on your day by jotting your thoughts in a journal.

Use your journal to let your thoughts flow freely, write about anything and everything under the sun.

Some of the best ways to use journals are:

• Practicing gratitude; writing about everything you are grateful for will make you a much happier person in life.
• Creative inspirations; use your journals for some like story writing or doodling.
• Brain dumping, use journals to jot down all your happy thoughts, anxieties, and insecurities to unburden the mind.

Here are over 130 free journal prompts to help you unwind for the evening.

Dim your Bedroom Lights before Dinner

Before dinner dim your bedroom lights so your body is mentally prepared for sleeping.

It also helps your sleep hormones, melatonin, to get activated.

Keep your bedroom temperature at a cool 68°F to help you sleep better.

Also changing your bed sheets and wearing fresh sleepwear can help you relax better. Put on some calming music if it helps to relax you.

Have Some Quality Family Time

Setting aside just 15–30 minutes of uninterrupted family time can create a sense of connection and strengthen your family bond.

Things like having dinner together, enjoying a relaxed conversation, playing a board game, or watching a favorite show together, these small moments can help everyone unwind and bond.

Stop Using Your Phone an Hour before Bed

Don’t use your phone an hour before bedtime. The blue light from smartphones interferes with your sleep hormones and makes your brain active instead of slowing it down.

Usage of smartphones till late night is one of the primary reasons for poor sleep in most adults.

The best rule is to keep your phone in a separate room altogether when you are sleeping. here are some more healthy phone habits you can adapt.

Say Some Sleep Affirmations

Saying sleep affirmations as part of your evening routine is a great idea.

It helps calm your mind, shift your focus away from stress, and set a peaceful tone before bed.

Plus, repeating positive affirmations can rewire your thoughts in a more positive direction.

Listen To Some Calming Music

Some calming music, like slow-tempo, ocean wave or rain sounds, can help you unwind and signal to your body that it’s time to relax.

Soft, soothing music can help slow your heart rate, and create a peaceful atmosphere for sleep.

Change into Comfortable Clothes

Wearing fresh clothes before sleeping is a great habit, signaling to your brain that it’s time to transit from the day’s activities to a state of rest.

Soft, breathable fabrics help you feel at ease, cotton, bamboo, or silk are all great options, so are cozy socks, if your feet get cold.

Remove Your Make-Up

Even if you are dead tired remove all traces of make-up before sleeping.

Clean your skin using a face wash and a good toner to keep your pores clean.

Applying a night cream or moisturizer is also recommended for all skin-types, as your skin needs its hydration while sleeping.

Brush your teeth before sleeping

Maintaining regular oral hygiene like brushing and flossing will keep your gums and teeth healthy.

Ideally you should brush your teeth 30 minutes before bed.

Also don’t drink too much water at night, a full bladder will hamper your sleep.

Bathe in Lukewarm Water

Bathing before sleeping is simply the best stress buster, for me it instantly relaxes my muscles and helps me sleep better.

Also adding some Espom salt in your bath can help your body truly relax.

Use Some Essential Oils To Relax

Essential oils like lavender in a diffuser or a few drops of essential oil on your pillow can promote better sleep.

Rubbing a few drops of oil on wrist, neck, forehead, hands, or feet is also beneficial but do mix undiluted essential oil with a carrier oil like grapeseed, coconut, olive, or sweet almond oil to prevent any skin reaction.

Get a diffuser and some essential oil sets to create the right mood to unwind. I currently love the smell of lemongrass but if that’s too strong for you, use some popular ones like lavender and rose.

Drink some Herbal Tea

Drinking herbal tea, especially chamomile, is known to promote good sleep and since it is a mild tranquilizer, chamomile is known to have a calming effect, which is helpful for anxiety.

Valerian root and lavender are also known for their sleep inducing qualities.

If you suffer from insomnia or chronic sleep disorders you can try sipping any of these herbal teas before bedtime.

Final Thoughts on Soothing Evening Activities

A relaxed routine can set the stage for a peaceful night and a refreshed morning.

Small tasks and rituals like meal prep, changing into fresh clothes, or spending time with loved ones, create a sense of balance and relaxation.

A restful night isn’t just about sleep, it’s about creating a space of comfort, care, and tranquility.