12 Things to Do Before Bed to Get Your Life Together

A good night routine is not only about getting ready for bed, but also a chance to get your life together. Here are 12 things to do before bed that will not only give you a calm night but set the tone for the next day. You can use these to make your own nighttime routine checklist for a glow-up and be that girl who is relaxed, in control, and intentional.

Reset Your Mind for Tomorrow

I prefer to start my bedtime routine by preparing myself for the next day. This makes my morning easy and takes away the stress and anxiety for the next day, allowing me to sleep well. Here are a few things that I like to do before bed to prepare for the next day.

• Set aside clothes for the next day.
• Give a glance at the meal plan for the next day just to prepare myself. Do some breakfast prep like making overnight oats, soaking pulses, or making a dough that needs overnight resting, etc.
• List things that I may need in the morning, such as tiffin boxes, tiffin bags, or anything that I always forget to carry at work.
• Putting my phone, ear pods, and smart watch for charging.

Spend some time on your everyday activities, especially things that you do in the morning, and try to find things that are not time-consuming but can be done the previous night to make your next day easy.

Do a Quick Night Reset

Once, when I call the day off and before heading to bed, I like to do a quick reset of the house. This is not cleaning the house, but just tidying things up to have a fresh start for the next day. This typically includes

• Setting up the cushions and throw blankets the right way.
• Putting things back in their assigned place.
• Closing the windows and doors, and putting out all the lights in other areas of the house.

Clutter brings chaos, and for good sleep, having a clean space around is a must. Moreover, getting up in the morning to an organized and tidy space brings a positive start to your day. Tidying up space is different for everyone; for you, it may be tidying up your work desk, bedside table, or making a bed for a comfortable sleep.

You need not spend a lot of time on it; just 5 to 10 minutes should be sufficient. To start, I would recommend you set a timer and finish tidying the space around you before the time runs out.

Plan Your Next Day with Intention

Create your to-do list before going to bed to maximize productivity and reduce morning stress. Spend a few minutes before bed to jot down tasks and priorities for the next day. By writing down your tasks, you transfer them from your mind onto paper, freeing up mental space and allowing you to fully unwind and relax. Having a clear plan for the next day can help you sleep better, as it prevents your mind from racing with thoughts about what needs to be accomplished.

I prefer to do weekly planning for all the major tasks for the week, but each night I add any last-minute tasks to the list or review my next day.

I use this spreadsheet-based life planner that includes everyday tasks, monthly plans, daily routines, meal plans for the day, and more. So I just updated it, and the next day it showed me exactly everything I needed to do.

Take a Relaxing Wind-Down Shower

After tidying up and preparing for the next day, take a warm bath. Use this time to be present and mindful. Enjoy the refreshing feeling of the bath. Make the bath more fun with some music if you like. Use a nice shower gel and simply enjoy your bath. I consider this time as me-time to relax before going to bed. The feeling of freshness after this warm water bath, followed by entering your clean bed, is incredibly satisfying.

Do Your PM Skincare Routine

Do a quick skin care after the bath, it not only helps to maintain good skin but also feels relaxing. Skin care before bed is best for busy women who often struggle with limited time for self-care during the day. Taking a few minutes each night to pamper your skin can do wonders in maintaining a healthy and glowing complexion. As the day comes to an end, it is important to remove all traces of makeup, dirt, and pollutants that have accumulated on the skin’s surface. I occasionally use a scrub and use a moisturizer and vitamin C serum daily.

Unplug from Screens

Limiting screen time before going to bed is crucial for a restful night’s sleep. With the excessive use of electronic devices a common habit these days, it’s no wonder many of us struggle to fall asleep quickly. The bright blue light emitted from screens, such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops, suppresses the production of melatonin – the hormone responsible for regulating our sleep-wake cycle. This can lead to difficulty in falling asleep and a disrupted sleep pattern. By reducing screen time before bed, we allow our bodies to wind down naturally and promote a more peaceful and restorative sleep.

Set the Mood for a Cozy Night

Create a cozy environment as part of your nighttime routine to enhance relaxation and promote restful sleep. It helps in relaxing and unwinding after a long day. I prefer to have dim lights after sunset to create a soothing ambiance. To make a cozy ambiance, begin by dimming the lights and opting for warm, soft lighting sources like lamps, string lights, or light candles.

You can fill the room with gentle, calming scents through the use of essential oils or scented candles, such as lavender or chamomile, known for their calming properties. Lastly, include snuggly, comforting elements like plush pillows, cozy blankets, and fluffy rugs to not only add a touch of luxury but also provide a sense of physical comfort and relaxation.

Do Gentle Stretching

Meditate or stretch your body before going to bed at night to achieve a deeper and more restful sleep. As the day winds down, it’s essential to unwind and let go of any lingering stress or tension in your body and mind. Engaging in a few minutes of meditation or gentle stretching can provide numerous benefits, both mentally and physically. Meditation allows you to reconnect with the present moment, clearing your mind from the day’s worries and allowing you to fully relax.

Additionally, stretching your body relieves muscle tightness and promotes better blood circulation, minimizing the chances of experiencing nighttime discomfort. By incorporating these practices into your bedtime routine, you can create a peaceful and harmonious transition into sleep, ensuring that you wake up feeling refreshed and rejuvenated the next morning. I prefer to practice meditation and stretching alternately when I have less time at night.

Change to Satin Pillowcase Before Bed

Now this may feel silly to you. But this has become my nighttime ritual. I used to get lots of acne on my cheeks. At first, I thought I didn’t follow any skin care, maybe that’s the issue. So I started with a simple night skin care routine with just cleaning and moisturizing, but still, it was not resolved. I started using earbuds instead of putting the phone to my ear, but no change. Finally, when I started using dedicate satin pillowcase at sleep time. Just like magic, in a week, my skin started to get clear. If I miss it for a day or 2, acne starts again, so this has become my non-negotiable thing to do before bed.

Sip Something Warm & Calming

End your day with a warm glass of plain milk, golden milk, or any calming drink like chamomile tea. Drinking milk before bed helps you sleep better. Drinking these warm drinks provides a comforting feel and helps to relax. So, before going to bed, have a glass of warm milk to enhance your sleep quality.

End Your Day with Prayer

Ending the day with simple prayers or gratitude is something that has made me sleep more peacefully. We all have many things running through our heads that worry us. Writing a to-do helps me take them off my head. But there are matters of life beyond the to-do list. Saying prayers and gratitudes helps you feel things will get sorted. Something powerful in the universe is there to help me and has always blessed me, guided me to deal with things. This is a powerful thing that helps you find peace and put worries aside to get a calm sleep.

Wind Down with a Book or Audio

Reading a book before going to bed is a good way to spend some quiet time with yourself and nourish your mind. You can spend as little as 5 minutes reading before bed. Reading before bed is a better option than spending time on social media. You can choose between fiction and non-fiction books. I prefer to read non-fiction and self-help books. You can read on Kindle or listen to audiobooks.

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