Evening Routine for Self-Improvement

Why Have An Evening Routine?

Is an evening routine really important? well, it is if you want to get the best rest and recharge your batteries! This evening routine for self-improvement allows your mind, body and soul to hit that reset button. When we set a routine for ourselves, it gives signal for our whole being that it is time to put the day behind us and have an even better next day. There are steps that we must take to optimize our mental and physical wellbeing. Keep reading to discover your best new evening-self!

CLEAN & TIDY

The first step of our self-improving evening routine is to clean and tidy your beautiful home. When we have had a busy day, it is hard to get things organized and make sure we have thoroughly cleaned. If you are the type of person to have a constantly clean house, then skip on to the next paragraph, but for everyone else, read on!

During the day, I personally never have the time to meticulously organize and clean! Do not get me wrong, I am not throwing my dishes on the floor or dumping my dirty laundry on my bed, I just mean that I am not making sure the house is perfectly organized and clean every second of the day. Which is why I choose not to stress out about it and make time for it when I have finished all the “must-do’s” first.

When I have finished with everything, I take time to organize and clean. Putting the dishes away, folding blankets on the couch, using an eco-friendly universal counter spray and making sure the bathroom is tidy. When you decide to take the time to make sure everything looks to your standard, the next day becomes a lot easier. Knowing that everything is tidy helps you sleep because you know when you wake up the next day, everything is in its rightful place.

MESSAGE A LOVED ONE

 We should never take loved ones for granted. We live in a time where technology rules the world and fortunately in this case, that means we can message our loved ones no matter where they are. I do not mean to get all gloomy, but life is short, and time passes us by. Give your friend, parent, aunt, uncle, sister, brother or whomever a “hey! Thinking about you, I hope you’re well and let us make time to have a proper catch up”. Yes, there are going to be days where you just want time for you and that is totally okay, healthy even! But it never hurts to send a quick message that will only take you 5 minutes.

SET OUT CLOTHES FOR THE NEXT DAY

When things are set and in place for tomorrow, your life becomes a lot easier. I know personally, I am a zombie when I get out of bed and I do not want to have to think. I always have the clothes laid out and it feels like a little treat for myself! This eliminates stress and saves time in the morning when you have a big day ahead of you.

NO ELECTRONICS

About a half hour to an hour before bedtime, unplug your computer and get off social media. When we look at our phone or computer, the blue light tricks our brains into thinking its daytime, but when we have our electronics off, our mind can switch off and prepare itself for a good night’s rest.  Also, the point of an evening routine is to nourish yourself and looking on social media does not help our self-confidence.

SKIN CARE

At night, our skin and whole body go through a repairing process. It is crucial to attend to your skin’s needs so it can be sufficiently restored.

Remove Make-Up

If you wear make-up during the day, make sure you take it off! Make-up ages your skin! Yes, aging is a gift and a beautiful process but that does not mean we need to have wrinkles 😉 I love using micellar water as every time I use it, it takes most of my make-up off and then I can cleanse guilt-free.

Cleanse

The best ingredients that I find for cleansing are salicylic acid, retinol cream (anti-aging), and hyaluronic acid. If your skin care products contain these three ingredients, you are golden!

Moisturize

Moisturizing before bed is also essential. When you have moisturizer on your body while you sleep, your body locks in the moisture, leaving it hydrated and fresher for the next day. Lastly, having better skin helps us gain self-confidence. If taking 15 minutes out of the day helps us feel great, then why the hell not?

HAIR CARE

If you have long hair, then you must take the time to care for it. Having long hair is amazing, yet a chore. Unfortunately, if we do not maintain a healthy routine, our hair reflects it very quickly. First, the best thing to do is to brush out your hair. This helps keep the hair healthy by distributing the natural oils from our scalp. Second, I love to put Moroccan argon oil in. It has kept my hair so sleek and soft! Lastly, put your hair in a braid. It does not need to be a fancy one, just a simple braid to make sure your hair stays in place. When we put our hair in a braid, we lessen the friction between our hair follicles and sheets while we toss and turn.    

DENTAL HYGIENE

I know it can be easier to think, “oh just one night without brushing my teeth won’t hurt, right?” Wrong! Our mouth produces the most bacteria at night. By thoroughly brushing and flossing our teeth, we prevent future diseases. It is also proven that having healthy teeth helps with self-confidence and gives off an amazing first impression. Yes, I know, it is a bit on the pricey side, but this is pennies compared to getting oral surgery. Like they say, prevention is better than cure.

JOURNAL

Writing down your thoughts on a piece of paper before you sleep is like clearing out the trash in your house, allowing you a fresh start for the next day. I write in my journal whatever comes to my mind. It helps me get down to the root of problems and allows me to see what is happening inside my head. Journaling is such a healthy practice that allows us to reflect and better prepare our mind for the next day to come. Not only should you write down what you need to get out of your system, but you should write at least 2 things you accomplished. Writing down our accomplishments permits yourself to give the credit that you deserve. This healthy habit brings self-confidence and motivation!  

SCHEDULE

Once you have emptied your mind and given yourself a pat on the shoulder, it is time to write your schedule for the next day 😊. Writing a schedule beforehand lets us feel organized and gives us a head start. What I like to do is write down all the things that need to be done, even the small stuff! It gives a sense of accomplishment by crossing tasks off. Lastly, do not overload your to do list! We want to feel accomplished, not defeated. Do what you feel that you can do, and if there is anything left over that needs to be done, you can always accomplish that the next day.

SPEND TIME WITH PARTNER/FRIEND

If you live with someone, whether that be a friend or partner, spend time with them! With distractions that surround us during the day and the constant messaging and posting, it is essential we have some human connection. Nothing beats a shoulder to lean on or feeling the vibrations of laughter, so put down that phone and cuddle up next to bae or have a chat about life with your friend.

READ BEFORE BED

Reading before bed is the perfect way to escape and enter a realm of imagination. When we open our mind to books, we create a gateway from the conscious to the unconscious mind. Not only does this help us fall asleep easier and faster, but it improves memory, focus and creativity. I personally love fictional books before bed as it feels that f I am entering another world and allows me to focus on the possibilities of new thoughts.

LIGHTS OUT

After reading, your eyes will get heavy and your mind will be slowly drifting to the subconscious land. Sleep specialists state for a great nights rest, one must go to bed the same time and wake up at the same time. I know that this isn’t always possible! Nonetheless, if we try to get to bed around the same time during the weekdays. we can create a healthier sleep schedule.

Conclusion

Yes, an evening routine takes time, but that’s the whole point! You deserve time for yourself. Our body is our car, and our mind is our fuel. If we want to run smoothly, we must take care of our car and put the right kind of fuel in. Thank you so much for reading and I truly hope this helps you!