Creating a nighttime routine customized to your needs helps you unwind from the day and prepare for tomorrow. The motivation for this habit would be to take time to replenish and prepare for the next day. Undirected activities in the last hours of the day are unlikely to accomplish the goals for your life. Set yourself up for success. Be kind to yourself. Create replenishing routines.

ROUTINES:

1. Shower or bath as soon as you are in for the night.
2. Wash your face. Spend at least a full 60 seconds to clean your face. Be kind to your skin.
3. Dental hygiene. With a timer brush your teeth for at least two minutes. Floss. Whiten. Mouthwash. A beautiful smile is important!
4. Set the lighting in your home for the proper nighttime vibe.
5. Consider a candle or scented oils.
6. Pajamas are important in embracing the relaxation needed in the evenings. My personal favorite location for pajamas is Soma. If your night attire is stained, ripped or faded, consider upgrading to some new pajamas. Comfort is the ultimate goal. Cozy comes in a close second.
7. A comfortable bed is underrated. Select seasonally appropriate sheets. Consider the quality of your bed. Buy a proper mattress if possible. After a very long time with the same mattress, we purchased a new one. The new mattress is just divine. I did not know how much it would improve my sleep. We were busy spending our money and time raising five kids. When the last one went to college, we realized that our mattress was desperately needing to be changed. Choose pillows that respond best to your sleep needs. There is not a right or wrong type of pillow. At the most luxurious hotels, they have a pillow menu which allows guests to select a firm, soft, standard, king, feather, foam and more.
8. Create a clutter free, dark room for optimal sleep. Consider darkening shades or curtains. Purposely set yourself up for a successful night of sleep. A proper night of sleep cannot be over appreciated.
9. A cup of fruit tea is relaxing. Just having a hot mug in your hands is a lovely sensation to enjoy each evening. I select fruit tea because it is caffeine free and virtually calorie free.
10. Clear your mind. Write down all the things that you are trying to remember. Develop the habit of writing everything on your planner or legal pad of notes on your phone so that it will not be running around in your head. A pattern of thinking peaceful patterns is key to a good night’s sleep. Limit contact with stressful people after dinner. Intense conversations can stir up your mind and emotions and keep you from sleeping at all. (Trust me. I know this from personal experience.) I struggle with worry. It is one of my sin habits that I battle. So, I have to be intentional about what I think about and don’t think about. Read more about this in Toxic Thinking: Renewal Through Neuroplasticity.
11. Do all the physical maintenance things like washing your hair, shaving your legs, moisturizing skin, applying tanning cream on occasion and scrubs.
12. Moisturize every night. Hydrate your face, arms and legs and really all of your skin. Prioritize moisturizing your face and neck where aging settles.
13. Pedicure at home regularly. Manicure if you have time.
14. Select your outfit for tomorrow. Aim for less stress in the morning. When I feel unsure, I select two full outfits with shoes. In the morning I always know which is best. Fewer choices limit potential chaos. Decision fatigue is a real thing.
15. Pack your tote, your briefcase or lunchbox for tomorrow. Really, you will thank me. This saves SO much money.
16. Avoid screens. This means no binging on shows or news, no aimless scrolling or reading of a negatively stimulating articles. Dock your computer, phone and iPad. Focus on the quiet and the people in your home. An exception to this might include playing music or reading a book on your tablet.
17. If you have a family, make time for a chapter in a read-aloud so you can do something purposeful together each evening. Reading books, playing board games and just indulging in regular conversation builds a strong family. Reading a chapter of the Bible each morning around the table or on the commute to work is really key to spiritual formation.
18. If you are married, prioritize conversation and intimacy. Really! Build this into your nighttime routine.
19. Relax physically. As you lay down to sleep, close your eyes. Relax your toes, feet, legs, mid-section, arms, hands, fingers, face. Do this slowly. Give yourself 5-10 minutes in each area as you relax. As you mentally examine the tension in your body, let go of all of the muscle stress. Learn to sink into sleep.
20. When you lay in the dark with your thoughts, think of 10 things that you are thankful for from the day. Pray out loud or to yourself thanking God for all your many blessings. (“Praise the LORD.Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.” Ps 106:1) If you feel wide awake after about 20 minutes, whether you’re trying to fall asleep or just woke up in the middle of the night, get up and do a quiet activity, like reading. Once you feel sleeping again, go back to bed. Renew your mind daily. My husband and I crawl into bed and talk. Then he takes my hand and prays. Nothing is sweeter and more manly to me. It has not always been like this, but it is now!! Praying before you go to sleep is the best way to end your day.

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Routines create high achievers.

There, I said it!! This content, properly applied, increases your productivity and success.

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” – Aristotle

In a quest to live a life you can be proud of and in an effort to be the very best version of yourself, embrace these everyday habits of nighttime routines.

Join me for a conversation with Tim on this topic on Embrace Your Everyday podcast.

LISTEN now

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