How hard is it to leave your phone in the other room 30 minutes before bed? For me, it feels nearly impossible. Evenings often end with me collapsing on the couch, exhausted, while my son watches his new favorite show. My bedtime habits have been inconsistent, but I’ve made progress and learned what helps me wind down.
Wanted: Evening Routine
I love a solid morning routine, but building an evening routine has been tougher. Some nights I still struggle to switch off: there’s always one more thing to do or one more article to read on my phone. Despite that, I’ve adopted simple bedtime habits that genuinely help me relax and sleep better. My routine isn’t glamourous—no long meditations or expensive products—just practical steps that leave me calmer and ready for the next day. I believe adopting some or all of these habits can help you too.
Before you begin, leave your phone somewhere you won’t reach for it easily.
5 Things You Should Be Doing Before Bed
1. 10-Minute Clean-Up
Take ten minutes to reset your space so mornings feel smoother. Tidy the areas you used during the day—desk, kitchen, living room—and put items back where they belong. If other household members have left things out, don’t make it emotional: quickly restore order for your own peace of mind. Doing this helps me avoid waking to clutter, which can be more frustrating than tidying briefly at night.
I usually clear my desk, clean up dinner dishes (with help from my husband when possible), and pick up toys and art supplies the toddler scattered across the living room. It’s a small investment of time that makes the next morning feel less chaotic.
2. 5-Minute Stretching Or Yoga
Spend five minutes stretching or doing a short bedtime yoga flow to release tension. If you’re sedentary during the day, focus on loosening tight hip flexors, chest, neck, and shoulders. Gentle forward folds and child’s pose are great finishing moves. You can create a simple routine that suits your body or follow a brief guided practice online.
3. Shower/Bath/Beauty Routine
A warm shower or bath before bed can be incredibly calming. Whether you prefer morning or evening showers, an evening rinse helps you feel clean and mentally reset. If you have the time, a bath with soft lighting can be restorative—followed by removing makeup, brushing your hair, and moisturizing. A short 10–15 minute grooming routine often leaves me feeling relaxed and refreshed.
4. Reflect & Plan
Spend a few minutes reflecting on the day: note what went well and what could improve. This habit helps you remember successes and identify patterns to change. After reflecting, jot down a simple plan or priorities for the next day. Planning reduces anxiety and helps you wake with purpose. Occasionally it excites me for the next day, but mostly it brings relief and a sense of readiness.
5. Read!
Read a physical book or journal—paper pages are surprisingly soothing. Audiobooks and podcasts are great for other times, but a paper book helps me relax and drift off. I avoid heavy, work-related reading before bed and choose something light or fiction instead. Often, a few pages and I’m ready to sleep and recharge for the next day.
With these five simple steps—tidy up, stretch, shower or bathe, reflect and plan, and read—you can create a calming, repeatable evening routine. It doesn’t have to be perfect or time-consuming; consistency matters more than complexity.
What about you? Do you have a bedtime routine or tips that help you unwind? I’d love to hear what works for you.
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