Setting up a healthy, relaxing evening routine has many proven benefits –improved sleep, mental health, productivity, and body regulation, as well as a wonderful sense of calm at the end of your day. Establishing a proper routine before bed is much better for your mental and physical wellbeing than crawling to bed in the early hours after binge watching a new TV show… tempting though this can be!
Here at Camford Medicals, we’ve put together our top tips for setting up your effective evening routine, following from our blog on optimising your morning routine!
- Have a shower and wash your face
While most of us reserve showering for perking us up in the morning, doing so in the evening can set you up for a peaceful night. A quick shower and face wash works wonders on your evening routine, making you feel fresh and calm as you continue to unwind.
- Change into comfy clothing
After your shower, put on some comfy clean clothes or pyjamas – this signals your day is coming to a close and adds to that sense of overall calm.
- Turn off your mobile
Unplugging from the world at least an hour before you go to sleep is wonderful for your mental wellbeing, allowing you to properly switch off from the outside and focus on yourself. Not to mention it stops that pesky blue light from causing you to struggle drifting off when you get in bed!
- Have a chat with someone you care about
Take 10 minutes at the end of the day to catch up with someone you love- a relative, partner, or friend. Sit with them and talk through the high points and low points of your day, as this is a great way to mentally unwind from whatever that day’s events entailed!
- Enjoy doing a relaxing activity
What makes a relaxing activity looks different for everyone, so consider what this means to you! Maybe it’s crafting, listening to a podcast or album, watching a TV series, reading a book or magazine, browsing the paper, drawing, writing, doing a puzzle…. Take 30 mins- an hour before bed to do this to mentally unwind from the day’s events.
- Have a snack before bed
We recommend eating your evening meal at least 2-3 hours before bedtime so your body has time to begin digestion well before you sleep. However, a small pre-bed snack such as a glass of milk and a couple of biscuits, or a banana and a cup of tea, can improve your sense of relaxation, plus help you to doze off! Yum!
- Lay out your clothes for the next day
Making this a final job in your evening routine is something we really recommend, as it helps you feel ready for the next day and fully able to switch off and move on from the day that’s just passed.
Our advice is realistic and effective when it comes to optimising your evening routine- these are the tips we know really work, and are also sustainable for anyone on a long-term basis! Enjoy your evenings, unwind in a healthy way, and you’ll soon see improvements in your wellbeing- day and night.