I used to think my mornings were the key to getting my life together.
You know, those perfect morning routines you see everywhere—waking up at 5 AM, sipping lemon water, journaling for an hour.
But I’ll be honest, by the time I was done with my shifts at the hospital, juggling my son’s homework, and catching up with Matthew, I was too wiped out to think about a “perfect” morning.
That’s when it hit me—maybe I was focusing on the wrong part of the day.
I started shifting my attention to my nighttime routine, and let me tell you, that’s where the real magic happens.
See, nighttime is that golden window where you get to reset, reflect, and actually prepare for the next day.
I’m not talking about long, complicated rituals—I mean simple, doable habits that make you wake up feeling like you actually slept.
When I made just a few changes to my evenings—like turning off my phone earlier, writing down my thoughts before bed, and setting up for the next morning—I noticed I woke up less rushed and way more grounded.
And let’s be real, anything that makes the morning rush with a six-year-old easier is a win in my book!
In this article, I’m going to share 10 powerful nighttime habits that transformed my evenings and, honestly, my mornings too.
They’re practical, easy to do, and you don’t need a ton of extra time to make them work. If you’re tired of feeling like your mornings are always running on fumes, it might be time to look at your nights.
Trust me, you’ll be amazed at how different you feel when you actually end your day right. Ready to make bedtime your new superpower?
1. Unplug from screens before bed
I used to be the kind of person who would scroll through my phone until I literally couldn’t keep my eyes open.
Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok—you name it, I was on it.
I would tell myself it was “me time,” but honestly, it was just draining. The worst part? I’d wake up groggy, unfocused, and feeling like I hadn’t slept at all.
That’s when I learned about how blue light from screens messes with your sleep. According to the Sleep Foundation, blue light blocks melatonin production—the hormone that tells your body it’s time to wind down.
No wonder I always felt so restless!
So, I made a change. I started putting my phone away one hour before bed.
I’m not gonna lie, it felt impossible at first. I kept reaching for it out of habit.
But instead, I replaced it with things that actually relaxed me:
📌 Reading a book (not on my phone—I’m talking about real pages!).
📌 Writing in my journal to clear my head.
📌 Stretching out on the living room floor with a cozy blanket and just breathing.
And you know what? It worked. I started waking up feeling…rested. Like my brain actually had time to shut off and reboot.
No more groggy mornings where I felt like I needed three cups of coffee just to be human.
If you struggle with falling asleep or feeling rested in the morning, try it. Just one hour without screens. It’s a small change that makes a huge difference.
2. Take care of your skin and body
I’ll be the first to admit—I used to skip my nighttime skincare routine more often than I should.
After a long shift, the idea of standing at the bathroom sink for even five more minutes felt impossible.
I’d convince myself that a quick splash of water would do the trick. Spoiler alert: it didn’t.
My skin started looking tired, dull, and honestly, a little neglected.
That’s when I realized that nighttime isn’t just for sleep; it’s the perfect time for your skin to recover and repair.
I made a promise to myself to spend just a few minutes—no matter how exhausted I was—caring for my skin before bed. And wow, the difference was real.
Here’s what I do now:
👉 Double Cleanse: I start with an oil-based cleanser to melt away makeup, sunscreen, and the day’s grime. Then, I follow it up with a gentle water-based cleanser to clear out any leftover residue.
This two-step process changed everything—I stopped waking up with clogged pores and surprise breakouts.
👉 Apply a Night Cream: I used to think this step was only for people with perfect skin, but that’s not true. A good night cream locks in moisture and helps with cell turnover while you sleep.
My skin felt softer and more hydrated in just a week.
👉 Moisturize Your Body: It’s not just your face that needs love. I keep a bottle of lotion right by my bed, so I have zero excuses. I focus on those spots that always seem to get dry—my elbows, knees, and feet. Pro tip: if you want super-soft feet, slather on some thick cream and throw on a pair of socks before you sleep. You’ll wake up amazed.
It’s wild how just a few extra minutes at night can make your skin look like you’ve been to a spa.
Plus, there’s something really calming about the ritual itself. It’s like telling your body, we’re done for the day, let’s relax and repair.
If you’ve been skipping your nighttime routine, trust me—you’re missing out.
Just a few minutes of self-care before bed can make all the difference when you wake up.
3. Reflect and visualize your day
I used to go to bed with my mind racing—everything I hadn’t done, things I was stressed about, even stuff from last week that I couldn’t change.
It was like my brain had this endless playlist of worries on repeat.
I’d lay there, tossing and turning, and wake up feeling like I hadn’t rested at all.
That’s when I started a simple habit: reflecting and visualizing before bed.
And no, it’s not some complicated ritual—it’s just taking a few quiet moments to think back on the day and imagine how I want tomorrow to go.
Here’s what I do:
✅️ Reflect on the Day: I ask myself three simple questions:
📌 What went well today?
📌 What could I have done better?
📌 What am I proud of?
Sometimes it’s as small as making it through the day without forgetting my lunch (again), and other times it’s something big like finishing a project or getting through a tough day at work.
Either way, it’s my way of closing the chapter before I sleep.
✅️ Visualize Tomorrow: This is my favorite part. I close my eyes and picture how I want tomorrow to look. I imagine waking up rested, getting through my morning without rushing, and tackling my to-do list with energy and focus.
It’s almost like I’m setting the stage in my mind before I even step into it.
This small practice makes me feel prepared—not just for the day itself, but for whatever comes my way.
✅️ Let Go of the Day’s Stress: After reflecting and visualizing, I take a deep breath and mentally let it go. I remind myself that I did my best, and that tomorrow is another chance to improve.
It’s amazing how this tiny routine can clear my head and help me fall asleep faster.
I’m not laying there rethinking every conversation or stressing about tomorrow because I’ve already planned it out in my mind.
If you’ve been going to bed with your mind in overdrive, try this out tonight.
Just five quiet minutes to reflect, visualize, and let go. You might be surprised at how much lighter you feel.
You might also like: 30-Day Self-Improvement Challenge
4. Write in your journal
I’ll be honest—I used to think journaling was only for people who had hours of free time and perfectly organized desks.
Between work, taking care of my son, and everything else life throws at me, who has time to sit down and write about their day?
But then I gave it a shot, and let me tell you, it’s become one of the most grounding parts of my nighttime routine.
Here’s the thing: journaling isn’t about writing a novel or having everything perfectly worded.
It’s about unloading your thoughts, clearing your mind, and getting your worries out of your head and onto paper.
When I first started, I kept it simple. I’d jot down:
👉 One thing I’m grateful for – Sometimes it’s big (like my family), and sometimes it’s small (like a hot cup of coffee that I actually got to finish).
👉 One thing that went well today – Even if it’s just surviving the day without completely losing my mind.
👉 One thing I want to improve tomorrow – It’s my way of setting an intention before I go to sleep.
There’s something incredibly calming about it. I swear, it’s like I’m emptying my brain before bed.
No more tossing and turning over things I can’t change. I wrote it down, I acknowledged it, and I’m ready to move on.
And here’s a little secret: when you look back at your entries weeks or months later, you start to see your own growth. I remember flipping back to a page where I wrote about feeling completely overwhelmed with work and home life.
Now, when I look at that, I realize how much progress I’ve made—and it’s the best feeling.
If you’re new to journaling, start small. You don’t need fancy prompts or the perfect notebook (though I do love a good notebook!).
Just grab whatever you have and start with those three simple reflections. Trust me, it’s a game-changer.
You might also like: 50 Night Journal Prompts for Bedtime
5. Express gratitude
I used to roll my eyes a little when I heard people talk about “practicing gratitude.” It felt a bit too…fluffy, you know?
But then, life threw me some serious curveballs, and I found myself holding on to the smallest things that made me smile—a warm cup of tea, my son’s giggles before bedtime, or even just getting home safely after a long shift.
That’s when I started writing them down.
Not in some formal, perfect way—just a quick scribble in my journal before I shut off the lights.
Three things I was grateful for. That’s it.
And here’s the wild part: it changed my mindset. I stopped ending my days thinking about what went wrong and started focusing on what went right.
The big things, the tiny things, the in-between things…it all started to matter more.
Here’s what I usually jot down:
📌 Small Wins: Maybe I finally got around to folding that pile of laundry (you know, the one that’s been sitting there for a week).
📌 Moments of Joy: My son’s laugh when I read him his favorite bedtime story.
📌 Acts of Kindness: A coworker who grabbed me a coffee just because.
It’s not always easy. There are days when I sit there, pen in hand, and think, What the heck am I grateful for today? But I push myself to find it.
ometimes it’s just the fact that I made it through the day. And you know what? That counts.
Studies even back it up—expressing gratitude has been shown to improve mental health, increase happiness, and even help you sleep better.
For me, it’s like a little reminder that even on the hardest days, there’s always something to be thankful for.
If you haven’t tried it yet, give it a shot tonight.
Three things. Big or small, it doesn’t matter. I promise you’ll feel a difference.
6. Prepare your essentials for the next day
I can’t even tell you how many mornings I used to spend running around the house, practically tearing it apart looking for my keys, my work badge, or my son’s school stuff.
Mornings were chaos, and I always felt like I was playing catch-up before the day even started.
That’s when I decided to prep the night before, and honestly, it was a total game-changer.
Here’s what I do now:
- Set out my clothes – I pick out everything: top, bottoms, shoes, even accessories if I’m feeling fancy. I can’t tell you how much time this saves. No more standing in front of the closet half-awake, trying to figure out what matches.
- Pack my bag – Whether it’s my work stuff, my laptop, or my son’s school things, it all gets packed and put by the door. I even make sure my keys are right there with it because I’ve learned the hard way that a missing set of keys can ruin your whole morning.
- Prepare breakfast or snacks – If I’m really on top of things, I’ll prep breakfast or at least have everything set out so I don’t have to think about it in the morning.
The difference it makes is unreal. I wake up, grab what I need, and I’m out the door.
No frantic searching, no “Where did I put that?!” moments, just a smooth, stress-free start.
I know it sounds super simple, but prepping the night before is like giving your future self a gift.
You’re setting yourself up to have one less thing to stress about. And honestly, mornings are hard enough without the extra chaos.
You might also like: 100 Simple Morning Routine Ideas You Should Try
7. Craft your to-do list for tomorrow
I used to wake up and just wing it—grab my coffee, sit down at the table, and try to figure out what the heck I needed to get done that day. And guess what?
It was a mess.
I’d jump from one thing to another, constantly forgetting half of what I wanted to do and feeling completely scattered.
That’s when I decided to try something different: planning my to-do list the night before.
It sounds simple, but wow, the difference it made.
Here’s my routine:
✔️ Reflect on today – I spend a minute or two thinking about what I got done and what still needs attention. Did I forget anything? Did something unexpected pop up? I jot that down first.
✔️ List my top 3 priorities – I’m not talking about a huge list that would take a miracle to finish—I mean the three things that actually matter. If I can get those three things done, I know my day was a success.
✔️ Add the small stuff – After the big things are written down, I add smaller tasks: sending emails, picking up groceries, checking in with friends.
I leave my list right on the kitchen counter or on my desk, so when I wake up, it’s staring me in the face.
No more guessing, no more wasted time trying to remember what I need to do.
I just pour my coffee and get moving.
And I have to tell you, this little habit has taken so much stress out of my mornings. I wake up with a plan, I know exactly what needs to get done, and I don’t waste that precious morning energy trying to figure it out.
8. Meditate or practice deep breathing
I used to think meditation was only for people with hours of free time and the ability to sit still like a statue.
I don’t know about you, but my life is far from that!
Between work, chasing after my son, and trying to keep the house in order, the idea of just sitting and breathing felt…unrealistic. 😊
But then I hit a point where my mind was just too full.
I’d lay down at night and my thoughts would start racing—everything from what I forgot to do that day to whether I unplugged the iron.
It was like my brain couldn’t find the off switch.
That’s when I decided to try deep breathing and meditation—not for an hour or even thirty minutes, but just five minutes before bed.
I started small with something called the 4-7-8 technique, and I swear, it changed everything.
Here’s how it works:
- Inhale through your nose for 4 seconds.
- Hold your breath for 7 seconds.
- Exhale completely through your mouth for 8 seconds.
I do this for about five rounds, and by the end of it, I’m not just relaxed—I’m grounded.
It’s like my whole body gets this signal that says, Okay, it’s time to rest now.
If I’m feeling really stressed, I’ll add a quick body scan meditation:
- I start at my toes and work my way up, just noticing how each part of my body feels.
- If I find tension (which is basically always in my shoulders!), I breathe into it and try to relax it.
You don’t need candles, a meditation pillow, or perfect silence. Sometimes, I’m just sitting on my bed with the laundry still piled up, but for those five minutes, it’s just me and my breath.
If you’re struggling to unwind at night, give it a try. Five minutes. No pressure, no perfect setup—just you, breathing, and letting go of the day.
9. Read something inspirational or calming
I used to end my nights scrolling through my phone—social media, news headlines, random videos. It was like I couldn’t shut off my brain without some kind of noise.
But I started noticing that my mind felt…cluttered.
I’d go to bed with thoughts spinning around, half-formed and restless, and wake up feeling just as frazzled.
That’s when I decided to swap my phone for a good book. And let me tell you, it was a game-changer.
There’s something about the feel of real pages, the weight of the book in your hands, and the way your mind gets to slow down that’s almost therapeutic.
I started keeping a few different types of books by my nightstand:
- Inspirational Reads: Something that lifts me up or helps me see things in a new light. Right now, I’m working through a book on personal growth, and it’s like getting a pep talk before bed.
- Calming Fiction: I’ll pick something light and easy, nothing too intense or dramatic. I want my mind to unwind, not get wrapped up in a cliffhanger.
- Motivational Short Stories: Just a quick read that leaves me feeling good—like a cup of warm tea, but for the mind.
And here’s what I noticed: my sleep improved. I wasn’t going to bed with thoughts racing from one headline to the next. Instead, I felt relaxed, almost…at peace. I slept deeper and woke up more rested.
If you’re used to scrolling until you pass out, try swapping it out for a book.
Even just 10 minutes of reading before bed can calm your mind and set the tone for restful sleep.
It doesn’t have to be heavy or complicated—just something that helps you unplug and unwind.
And the best part? You wake up with a clear head and a lighter heart.
10. Set the scene for restful sleep
I used to think that as long as I was tired enough, I’d fall asleep anywhere—lights on, TV blaring, the works.
But then I realized, I was tired all the time.
I’d wake up groggy, like I’d just blinked and the alarm was going off. I knew something had to change.
That’s when I started being intentional about how I set the scene before bed.
I’m talking about creating an environment that practically invites you to relax. It’s honestly become one of my favorite parts of the day.
Here’s what I do to make sure my space is perfect for sleep:
- Dim the lights – About an hour before bed, I start turning down the lights in the house. My son always asks why it’s “so dark in here,” but I’ve found that it really helps my mind and body understand that it’s time to wind down. Harsh, bright lights just keep you wired.
- Adjust the temperature – According to the Sleep Foundation, the ideal room temperature for sleep is around 65°F (18°C). It might seem a little chilly, but trust me, your body sleeps better when it’s cool. I used to crank up the heat, but now I just grab an extra blanket and it’s perfect.
- Use a humidifier – This one was a game-changer. Especially in the winter when the air is dry, a humidifier keeps my skin from feeling like sandpaper when I wake up. Plus, it’s just easier to breathe.
- Wear comfortable clothes – I used to just throw on whatever old t-shirt I had lying around, but there’s something about soft, cozy pajamas that make you feel like you’re really ready for rest. It’s a small thing, but it makes a big difference.
- Remove distractions – I used to keep my phone on my nightstand, but it was always the first thing I’d grab if I couldn’t sleep. Now, it’s across the room. I’m less tempted to scroll, and I get to wake up with a clear mind instead of an endless feed of notifications.
Creating this little sanctuary for myself at night completely changed the way I sleep.
I’m not just passing out anymore—I’m winding down. And when I wake up, I actually feel rested.
You might also like: 15 Essential Beauty Habits Before Bed
For you
I used to think mornings were the secret to getting my life together.
But the truth is, the real magic happens the night before.
When I started being intentional about my nighttime habits, my mornings stopped feeling like a frantic race against the clock.
I’d wake up calmer, more focused, and actually ready to take on the day.
These powerful nighttime habits aren’t about perfection—they’re about preparation.
When you unplug from screens, reflect on your day, write in your journal, and set the scene for restful sleep, you’re not just ending your day—you’re setting yourself up for a better tomorrow.
Imagine waking up without that familiar fog of grogginess, stepping into your morning with a clear mind and a sense of purpose.
That’s what these habits did for me, and it’s what they can do for you too.
👉 So here’s my challenge for you: Try just one habit tonight. Maybe it’s turning off your phone an hour earlier, or writing down three things you’re grateful for. Start small, but start tonight.
Ready to build even better habits? Take a look at these 10 Simple Steps to Reset Your Life and start every day with purpose.
And I’d love to know—which habit are you excited to try first? Share it in the comments, because I’m genuinely curious to hear what you’re working on.
Your nighttime routine is your superpower. Use it. 💛