Evening Self-Care Routine: 20 Ideas to End Your Day
Introduction to Evening Self-Care
Want to enhance your evening self-care routine? If you’re like me, you already know that ending your evening with a healthy self-care routine is really good for you. Yes?
Well, I’m writing this post today so you and I can actually start making this evening self-care ritual come true. It’s always easier said than done, right?
Please join me on a journey to end our days off better, which will make a huge impact on our lives!
2 Tips for Your Evening Self-Care Routine:
Here’s what I recommend…
- Get ready for bed A Little Earlier
Do your best to start winding down (30 minutes is a good place to start) to allow yourself more time in the evening.
This is the first step to ending your day off on the right foot and beginning this positive, new evening routine.
Here are some tricks that help me wind down in the evening:
- – Don’t eat too much before bedtime. You still want to aim for your 7 – 9 hours of sleep.
- – Set your alarm clock for the next morning, and when you go to bed, make sure your room is dark and quiet
- – Use a relaxing essential oil diffuser – I have one that has lavender, which is really calming
- – Make a commitment – it will feel hard at first, however, I promise it will get easier
Whatever you do, it will become a habit, and your body will eventually be happy to wind down earlier. I promise.
- Ask Yourself these questions
- – What makes you feel relaxed?
- – What do you consider a healthy evening treat?
- – How would you spend an extra 30 to 60 minutes of your evening if you had time?
This will help you decide how to spend the last part of your day.
*Also, find time to practice self-care every day of the week with these gorgeous printable self-care worksheets (includes 75 new ideas)!
20 Evening Self-Care Ideas to End Your Day
- Spend the last 30 minutes of your day with NO screens
I’m talking no TV, phone, computer… nothing!
When was the last time you did this? If you have zero screens during the last 30 minutes of your day, the question is; what would you do?
Now go do that!
- Take a warm bath
If you have a bathtub, you are used to this, but if not try taking a warm shower. It’s a great way to relax naturally and enjoy listening to calming music.
Depending on where you live you can light some candles, or simply just relax and contemplate.
Try going for a relaxing walk as a new exercise.
- Journaling
Whether you actively journal or not, last thing in the evening is the perfect time to dedicate to this.
I like to write all of my thoughts down – good, bad and everything in between.
This is a great way to get something concerning off your chest and an even better way to just let go of any upsetting feelings.
By writing positive, grateful feelings in your journal it will give you a chance to really practise gratitude for the good things you have in your life.
Check out my Self Love Journal– Available on Amazon
Practice self-love every day to find balance, create a positive mindset and give yourself permission to grow in meaningful ways.
Learn more about this 30-day self-love journal challenge.
- Put the kettle (or tea pot) on & make it a ritual
I know most of us do this every single day, but let me ask you this…
When was the last time you actually drank your chosen cup of tea while it was still hot?!
During your alone evening time, you can make brewing up an enjoyable process.
- – Enjoy every sip.
- – Sit down and drink your tea or coffee in peace or while you do a little gratitude journaling or reading.
- – Drink your hot cup outside if you can while you hear the crickets chirping 🙂
- Read a Book that Inspires You
I think the best type of book to read last thing in the evening is something that inspires you; something that sets the stage for the night you want to have.
- Tune into your spirituality
For some that will be reading from a spiritual book. For others, it could be meditating or simply, practising yoga or simply spending some time on positive affirmations.
Dedicating time in your evening self-care routine to practice being spiritual is the key for many of us to set the stage for the kind of night we want.
- Activate Your Scent
So many of us tie certain scents to happy thoughts and memories.
Take a moment to think about what scents give you happy feelings. Make a list of this + other scents that you love.
For example, here are mine:
- – The smell of vanilla
- – The smell of cinnamon
- – Freshly baked cookies
- – Lavender
So for me, going for a walk in the evening is ideal, so I can find these lovely smells.
Think about how you can bring your favourite scents into your evening routine.
Related: 125 Simple Pleasures To Fill You with Joy
- Speak To Someone You Love
Having a chat in the evening with someone who fills you up is a great way to end your day on the right foot.
I like to speak to my best friend on the phone or Facetime my parents. It’s just a little check-in that’s for you and your relationship.
- Practice Gratitude
Focusing on the positive in your life is a powerful way to end your day.
Take time to reflect on what brings you joy and what you appreciate. Then write down whatever comes to mind.
Another way to practice gratitude is with journal prompts which can help you think about the present moment but also reminisce about positive experiences in your life.
👉 Give these 52 gratitude journal prompts a try.
- Eat a Healthy Snack
Give yourself the gift of fueling your body with what feels good. You deserve to make time for something healthy.
Some great options are a piece of fruit, cheese and crackers, or a handful of nuts.
- Listen to Some Calming Music
Listen to your favourite artist, a calming playlist or a great DJ to get your evening moving in the right direction.
- Tend To Your Plants
Water your houseplants, check and water your vegetable garden and outdoor plants, and have a little chat with your plants while you’re at it!
Also, try getting your hands in the soil which is extremely grounding.
- Listen To An Inspirational Podcast
This is something I’ve started doing to set my intention for the night. Think about what you need to hear in the evening to set your night up for relaxation.
- Watch A Calming YouTube Video
Again, this is truly helpful to help you set that intention of the night. I personally love watching anything from nature documentaries.
He talks a lot about relaxation and his videos always get me in the right frame of mind to have a restful night.
- Move Your Body
There are so many benefits of exercising in the evening, such as making healthier food choices for the next day, better focus, increased energy and improved mood. (source)
So choose something you love and aim for 30 minutes.
- Do Some Mindfulness Exercises
The key goal of mindfulness is to be present in the moment and there are a lot of mindfulness practices and techniques to help you do this. Some examples:
- – Body scan meditation
- – Walking meditation
- – Mindful gardening
- – Breathing Exercises
Check out this breathing exercise to help you center yourself and be in the present moment.
- Take A Soothing Bath or Shower
Different from a quick shower, take some time to truly enjoy yourself. Think of it as some pampering time.
To make this time extra special try some:
- – Bath salts or shower steamers
- – Take time washing your hair, exfoliating, etc
- – Play some relaxing or calming music
- – Light a candle or diffuse some essential oils
- Write Your To-Do List
You can do this for the next day or the week.
Many of us can feel overwhelmed and stress when we think about everything we need to do.
However, many times your to-do’s may seem way bigger (and more daunting) then they actually are.
So, when you write a list you’ll be able to see the big picture and make a plan that works within your schedule.
- Create a Self-Care Plan
There is an exercise I love doing called ‘Building A Happy Week’. Essentially you will use all 5 key areas of self-care (social, physical, emotional, intellectual, spiritual) and make sure you are getting enough of them every week.
Check out the self-care planner here to help you get started.
- Write an evening gratitude list
Everyone can benefit from ending their evening with gratitude. You see when you focus on practicing gratitude every day, you’ll end up with more things to be grateful for in life.
So write a short list of what you are grateful for today.
Let’s recap your self-care evening routine:
- – No screens for the last 30 minutes of your day
- – Take a warm bath
- – Start journaling
- – Brew up and make it a ritual
- – Read something that inspires you
- – Get spiritual
- – Add some happy scents to your evening
- – Speak to someone you love
- – Practice gratitude
- – Eat a healthy snack
- – Listen to calming music
- – Look after your plants
- – Listen to an inspirational podcast
- – Watch a calming YouTube video
- – Move your body
- – Mindfulness exercises
- – Take a soothing bath or shower
- – Write your to-do list
- – Create a self-care plan
- – Write a gratitude list
These are the few ways I love to end my day.
Feel like you have no time for self-care? All you need is 5-minutes… truly! Check out these 5-minute self-care ideas to support your body, mind and soul.
What self-care ideas will you add to your evening routine?
Share in the comments section below!
Related Resources For Your Evening Self-Care Routine:
- – 25 Of The Best Evening Journal Prompts To End Your Day
- – How to Create a Mindful Evening Routine: 15 Ideas
- – 50 Evening Affirmations for Relaxation, Happiness & Confidence
- – 75 Of The Best Self Care Sunday Ideas
Conclusion
About the Author
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