Last Updated on August 4, 2022
Self care is important for everyone, but it’s especially crucial for women. When we take the time to care for ourselves, we’re able to better manage stress and anxiety, feel more energized, and improve our overall mood.
When you don’t take care of yourself, it’s easy to feel run down and exhausted. You might find that you don’t have the energy to do the things you love, or that everyday tasks feel like a struggle. Your skin might start to look dull and unhealthy, and you may get sick more often. Ultimately, your mental and physical health suffers.
Feeling this way can be frustrating and overwhelming, but it’s important to remember that you have the power to make a change. Taking even small steps towards self-care can make a big difference in how you feel.
Creating a consistent self-care night routine is one of the best ways to ensure that you’re taking care of yourself each day. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the benefits of regular self-care and suggest some components that your nighttime routine could include!
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Self Care: What It Is, and Isn’t
When it comes to self care, there are a lot of myths and misconceptions out there. So, let’s start with the basics: what is self-care?
Self-care is any activity that you do deliberately to take care of your physical, mental, or emotional health. It’s about connecting with yourself and making sure that your needs are being met, including getting a good night’s sleep.
Now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s talk about what self-care is NOT. Contrary to popular belief, self-care is not selfish. You cannot pour from an empty cup, and taking care of yourself is essential if you want to be able to take care of others.
Additionally, self-care is not a one-time thing. It’s not something that you do once and then forget about. Taking care of yourself, your mental health, your mind, body, and spirit, is an ongoing practice that should be incorporated into your everyday life.
Taking care of yourself with a nightly routine isn’t a one-size-fits-all, either. I’m not going to tell you to do this, and that, and another thing, and magically it will work wonders for you. No, my friend, your self-care evening routine may look very different than mine. And it’s supposed to work that way.
It doesn’t have to cost a lot of money to create your own self-care routine, and in many instances, your evening routine doesn’t cost you anything except a few minutes of your time.
Lastly, self-care is not a band-aid solution to deeper issues. It’s important to address the root cause of your problems, rather than just treating the symptoms.
The Benefits of a Nighttime Self Care Routine
A consistent evening self-care routine can feel like a luxury when life is already so busy. But making time for yourself at the end of the day can have some surprising benefits.
For one, it can help you to wind down and relax after a long day. This can be especially helpful if you have trouble sleeping. A relaxing bedtime routine can also help to reduce stress levels and promote feelings of well-being.
And, taking care of yourself can help to improve your appearance. Simple things like washing your face and applying moisturizer can make a big difference. So if you’re looking for ways to improve your health and appearance, a consistent evening self care routine is a great place to start.
Best Night Self Care Routine Actions
So, now that you know what self-care is, what it isn’t, and the fact that you create your own self care routine based on your lifestyle, personality, family life, preferences, and struggles, here are a number of tips that might work for you.
If you are serious about making this healthy habit a part of your life, read through each suggestion and see which of them speaks to you. Write them down for later reference.
1 | make it a priority
A self care routine can be anything that helps you relax and recharge, from taking a break for some mindful breathing to indulging in a long, hot bath. Whatever form it takes, self-care is an important part of maintaining your health and wellbeing.
However, making time for self-care can be difficult, especially when you’re feeling busy or overwhelmed.
One way to make sure that your self-care routine sticks is to make it a priority in your life. That means setting aside time each day (or week) specifically for self-care and making sure that other commitments don’t encroach on that time.
It might also mean saying no to things that would take away from your self care time, or making changes in your schedule to free up more time for yourself. When you make self-care a priority, it becomes easier to stick to your routine, and you’ll start to see the benefits in your overall health and wellbeing.
2 | be consistent
When it comes to self-care, consistency is key. Creating a nightly routine can help you wind down at the end of the day and get ready for a good night’s sleep.
But if you only do it occasionally, it won’t be as effective. The key is to make it a habit.
Choose a few simple activities that you can do every night, and then stick to them. This could include washing your face, reading for 30 minutes, or journaling. More about that in a moment.
The important thing is that you do it every night, without fail. Soon enough, it will become second nature, and you’ll start to feel the benefits of a regular self-care routine.
3 | prepare for tomorrow with intention
One of the best things you can do for yourself at night is to prepare for the next day. This doesn’t have to be a complicated process.
Simply take a few minutes to think about what you want to accomplish the next day, and what steps you need to take to make that happen. Maybe you need to pack your lunch, lay out your clothes, or review your schedule.
Whatever it is, taking a few minutes to plan ahead can help reduce stress and set you up for success. So why not give it a try? Show yourself some love, and see how preparing for the next day can help you feel more relaxed and in control, and start your day off on the right foot.
4 | your bedroom is a sanctuary
Turning your bedroom into a sanctuary can be part of an evening self-care routine. Creating a space that is solely for relaxation, better sleep, and self-care can help you to wind down at the end of the day and feel more rested. And, it’s not complicated or time-consuming.
You can start by decluttering your bedroom and only keeping items in the space that make you feel happy and comfortable.
Then, you can add some personal touches that make the space feel like your own, such as photos, art, or plants.
Finally, consider investing in some cozy bedding and lighting to create an inviting and relaxing atmosphere. By taking some time to create a sanctuary in your bedroom, you can give yourself the gift of a peaceful and restful night’s sleep.
5 | tidy up
After a long day, it can be hard to muster up the energy to take care of yourself. But there are little things you can do to show yourself some love, and one of them is tidying up your space before you go to bed.
This doesn’t have to be a big production—just a few minutes spent putting away dishes, wiping down counters, and straightening up your living room will make a world of difference. Not only will you wake up to a clean space, but the act of tidying itself can be calming and therapeutic.
By taking a few minutes each night to tidy up, you can help yourself wind down and prepare for a restful night’s sleep.
6 | skincare
Everyone’s skin is different, so it’s important to find a skincare routine that works for you.
For some people, that might mean just washing their face with soap and water before bed. Others might prefer a more elaborate routine that includes cleansing, toning, and moisturizing. No matter what type of skin you have, though, there are a few basic steps that everyone should follow.
First, always remove makeup before going to bed. This will help to prevent clogged pores and breakouts.
Second, wash your face with a gentle cleanser. Avoid scrubbing too hard, as this can damage the skin.
Third, apply a light layer of moisturizer to help keep the skin hydrated overnight. Following these simple steps every night will help to keep your skin looking its best.
7 | unplug and unwind
A lot of us use social media and technology right up until we go to bed.
But using screens right before bed can actually make it harder to fall asleep. The blue light from screens can disrupt our natural sleep cycle, making us feel more awake when we should be winding down for the night.
So part of a good evening self-care routine is unplugging from our screens an hour or so before bed. This gives our mind and body a chance to relax and prepare for sleep.
It might seem weird at first to put down your phone and not scroll through social media before bed. But once you get used to it, you may find that you sleep better and wake up feeling more rested. Plus, it’s a great way to disconnect from the virtual world and focus on the here and now.
8 | swap out the wine for a cup of tea
If you’re looking to wind down at the end of the day with a relaxing evening routine, herbal tea is a great choice. Unlike alcohol, herbal tea is non-intoxicating and won’t leave you feeling groggy in the morning.
Herbal teas can also offer a variety of health benefits, depending on the herbs used. For example, chamomile tea is known for its ability to promote sleep, while ginger tea can help to settle an upset stomach.
So next time you’re reaching for a glass of wine or a beer, consider brewed herbal tea instead. It’s a simple change that can make a big difference in how you feel – and it might just help you get a better night’s sleep.
9 | warm bath or shower
There’s nothing like a warm shower or bath to relax your muscles and help you unwind at the end of a long day. The benefits of taking some time for yourself don’t stop there, though.
A warm shower can also help to improve your circulation, relieve stiffness, and even reduce pain. In addition, the steam from a hot shower can open up your sinuses and help you to breathe more easily.
So next time you’re feeling stressed, try taking a relaxing bath or shower. You might just find that it does wonders for your body and mind.
10 | read, color, journal
When it comes to self-care, there are endless options to choose from. However, some of the simplest and most effective activities can be easily done in the evening, before bed.
Reading can help to wind down and relax the mind, journaling can provide a space to process the day’s events, and coloring using adult coloring books can be a calming and meditative activity.
All of these activities can help to promote better sleep, and they can also be used as part of a larger self-care routine. So if you’re looking for some easy ways to improve your evening routine, consider adding some reading, journaling, or coloring into the mix.
11 | stretch
It’s important to take care of your body, and that includes giving it a little TLC at the end of the day. One way to do that is by light stretching.
Just a few minutes of stretching can help to relieve tension and improve flexibility. It’s also a great way to wind down before bedtime. And the best part? You don’t need any special equipment or skills. Just find a quiet spot and get started.
Here are a few simple stretches to get you started:
- Start by standing up straight. Take a deep breath in, then exhale as you reach your arms overhead. Gently arch your back and look up at the ceiling. Hold for a few seconds, then release and repeat.
- Next, stand with your feet hip-width apart and your hands on your hips. Gently bend forward at the waist, letting your arms dangle down toward the floor. Hold for a few seconds, then release and repeat.
- Another great stretch is the hamstring stretch. Sit on the floor with your legs straight out in front of you. Reach for your toes, feeling the stretch in the backs of your legs. Hold for a few seconds, then release and repeat.
Remember, you don’t have to do all of these stretches at once. Just pick one or two that feel good and do them for a few minutes before bedtime. You’ll be surprised at how much better you’ll feel after just a few minutes of stretching.
Note: make sure you are able to perform these simple movements before giving them a try. If you’re unsure, talk with your doctor about it.
12 | meditation and prayer
After a long day, it’s important to take some time for yourself to relax and unwind. One way to do this is through meditation and prayer. Meditation can help to calm your mind and body, and prayer can help you to focus on your spiritual needs. Both of these activities can be beneficial as part of an evening self care routine.
Calming meditation can help you to focus on your breath and clear your mind of any racing thoughts. It can also help to reduce stress and anxiety. Prayer can similarly help you to focus your thoughts and reflect on what is most important to you. It can also provide a sense of peace and calm.
Both meditation and prayer can be done in just a few minutes, and they can have a profound impact on your overall well-being. So if you’re looking for ways to relax and rejuvenate at the end of the day, consider adding meditation and prayer to your evening self-care routine.
How to start following an evening self care routine
If you’re not in the habit of following a night self care routine, it can be tough to know where to start. Here are a few tips to get you going:
1. Pick a time that works for you. Whether it’s right before bed or after the kids are in bed, choose a time when you can realistically fit in some self-care.
2. Start small. If the thought of an elaborate skincare routine makes you tired, start with something simple like washing your face and applying a moisturizer.
3. Make it enjoyable. Choose activities that you actually enjoy and look forward to, such as reading, taking a bath, or using a face masque.
4. Be consistent. The most important part of any self-care routine is consistency. Do your best to stick with it every evening, and soon it will become second nature.
Learn more about the benefits of self-care:
- 6 Types of Self Care and Why We Need Them in Our Life
- 5 Minute Self Care Ideas When You Need a Quick Boost
- Self Care vs Self Love: What’s the Difference?
- 6 Tips for Creating a Healthy Morning Self Care Routine
- 10 Winter Self Care Ideas to Keep You Feeling Your Best
- Summer Self Care Ideas: 10 Ways to Relax and Refresh
- Self Care Sunday: 15 Ideas to Soothe Your Body, Mind, and Spirit
Final Thoughts: A Night Self Care Routine
Self-care is essential for our overall well-being, and it’s especially important to take care of ourselves in the evening. An evening self-care routine can help you to relax and rejuvenate after a long day. It can also set the tone for a restful night’s sleep.
If you’re not in the habit of following an evening self-care routine, start small and be consistent. Choose activities that you enjoy and look forward to, and soon it will become part of your nightly routine. Your mind, body, and soul will thank you for it!
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