How to Create the Perfect Night Routine

In my last post, I shared my morning routine and the fact that it prepares me for a productive day while allowing me to use it as a form of relaxation and self-care. It's my me time..but it wouldn't be possible without my night routine. You'll notice that my focus is different from my morning routine. Rather than waking my mind up and getting ready to be productive and chase my goals, I'm focused on winding down, preparing for the next day, and making sure I get a good night's sleep.

Step One: Feed myself and my dog dinner.

Obviously we both need to eat, but I include this because it's the start of my night routine. It triggers me to begin the steps that follow.

Step Two: Tidy up.

Once I clean up the kitchen from dinner, I tidy up my entire apartment and put things back into place. A clean and tidy space allows me to have a clear mind and be more productive because I'm not distracted by clutter.

Step Three: Take my dog on her last walk of the day.

This is pretty self explanatory. We live in an apartment so I take my dog out to potty and get a bit of exercise usually for about 20 to 30 minutes. Sometimes depending on how she's feeling, I'll take her to our community dog park and let her run around and play.

Step Four: Layout my workout clothes.

Part of my morning routine is working out, so laying out my workout clothes the night before prepares me for that.

Step Five: Fill my gallon water bottle.

I drink a gallon of water every day, so each night I fill it up and sit it on my bedside table so it's ready for me when I wake up.

Step Six: Put on pajamas, do my night time skin care, brush my teeth and take my medicine. Typical getting ready for bed things.

This step is pretty self explanatory. The medicine I take is an SSRI for anyone who is curious. I choose to take it at night because it makes me drowsy and nauseous if I take it in the day time.

Step Seven: Journal and/or write a to do list for tomorrow.

I like to journal about anything that has come up in the day that I need to process or get out. Sometimes if I've journaled in the morning and nothing else really came up, I'll just journal about my day or not journal again. If there are things I'm thinking about that I know need to get done, the wheels will keep turning on my brain unless I get it out, so I write it down on a to do list to allow my mind to relax.

Step Eight: Read a book.

I have recently tried to start building the habit of reading before I go to sleep rather than scrolling social media or watching tv. In addition to helping me meet my reading goal, it helps me wind down and of course there's no blue light.

Step Nine: Put on the Calm app and go to sleep.

Some nights I'll go to sleep without using Calm but I do have trouble falling asleep a lot of the time so I'll usually put on a sleep story, sleep meditation or some sort of nature sounds to help.

As you can see, my night routine is a lot shorter than my morning routine. Again, everyone's is going to be different but this is just what works for me. At night I'm not really focused on being productive and getting things done, I'm focused on winding down, making sure I'm set up for success the next morning and prepared for a restful night's sleep.

What's your focus for your night routine?