Creating a Simple Evening Routine.
Hi friends. I hope you are having a wonderful Tuesday. Over the past few months I have become extremely consistent with how I spend my evenings and doing so has resulted in so many positive changes from a better nights sleep to activities to look forward to each evening.
I used to really resist the idea of planning out my evenings because I assumed that the added structure would take away from the fun and spontaneity of enjoying my free time. However, I’ve found that it’s exactly the opposite. The more structure and routine I have, the less stressed I am and the more I am able to relax.
While I’m not suggesting that you need to have your entire evening routine planned out minute by minute, I do find it helpful to have 3-5 key habits or activities that you know you will do every single evening.
Having a consistent routine before bed is also a good way to prepare your mind and body for sleep. For example, I always light a candle and make a cup of herbal tea between 7-9 PM. This is a signal to both myself and my mind that I will be in bed and sleeping within the next 3-4 hours.
If you need some guidance, here is what my typical evening routine has looked like lately. I usually begin all of this after we are finished eating dinner and I have gone for a walk.
My Evening Routine:
7:30 PM – Take a shower
7:45 PM – Light a candle and make a cup of peppermint tea
8:00 PM – Watch a tv show on my computer
9:00 PM – Yoga with Adriene ( I usually just do 15-20 minutes)
9:30 PM – Create my to do list for the following day
10:00 PM – Listen to a podcast or read a novel. I just started reading the book ‘Red Queen’ by Victoria Aveyard. It’s the first book in the series.
Another habit that I do a few times a week is journaling and my Five Minute Journal. In the Five Minute Journal there is a gratitude section which is another great way to end your day. If I could recommend a single change to make I would recommend getting a stack of post it notes and writing down 3 things or people that you are grateful for each night before you go to bed.
One habit that I’m currently working on is turning off my laptop earlier. I usually have my computer on until about 30 minutes before I go to bed and I know that is a terrible habit. I’m trying to limit my screen time in the evening and to make more room for activities that I can’t do on a computer. If you have any ideas or suggestions please let me know!
What about you? What do your evenings typically look like? Do you have a structured routine in place or do your evenings vary from night to night?
