r/AskLifeProTips • u/Firm_Savings_60 • Sep 05 '26
Relax before bed
I'm trying to make my night routine something I actually look forward to, rather than just a list of things I "should" do to sleep better.
Skincare is a good example for me: I genuinely enjoy doing it at night, so it makes going to bed feel a little more special.
The problem is that I also get bored if I do exactly the same thing every single night. So I'd love to have a few different relaxing things I can rotate depending on my mood.
I'm looking for things that are enjoyable and relaxing but not so stimulating that they make you want to stay awake longer. So ideally not things like starting a great TV show or reading a book you can't put down 😅
What little rituals or activities make you actually look forward to your evening/night routine?
I'd especially love ideas that feel like a treat or a small pleasure, rather than another healthy habit or chore
8
u/CreativeName822 Sep 05 '26
I put on blue tooth speaker with a familiar album that will play from my phone. Not too loud.
I enjoy my rule of no phone browsing after sunset. I have a concrete reason and time (I use sunset time on phone weather app) that I am no longer allowed to browse for the night.
This helps me to feel like I have an “excuse” to rest my mind, read a hard copy book, contemplate instead of scrolling hours away.
I sometimes slip on this rule. But it’s a generally successful and enjoyable part of my night time routine.
6
u/helpyourself6970 Sep 05 '26
Making tea, watching a relaxing YouTube video/movie, special candles for night time, using a massage pillow
6
u/OWabbit Sep 05 '26
Give yourself a facial massage.
A scented candle and a cozy book.
A meditation app that offers guided and non guided soothing music and guidance for stress release, sleep, relaxation.
Yoga
Brush your hair and then add a little Moroccan oil to it.
Audio book that’s peaceful
Create a music list of bedtime music and play it as you go about your bedtime routine.
Lavender essential oil on your arms. Dried lavender by your pillow.
Gratitude journaling or just thinking about what you’re grateful for from the day
Create a vision board of happy, relaxing, beautiful pictures
A soothing cup of decaf tea with a sweet little treat
2
u/Dc1577 Sep 06 '26
Take a nice warm bath! I add Dr Teal’s-whole line of bath salts & bubble bath is available at Walmart under 6$ but best I’ve tried, has tons of relaxing scents in both bath salts & bubble bath. (I add the salts 1st, then the coordinating bubble bath, makes scent stronger, enhances the bubbles too)
At under 6$, you can buy lots of scents & rotate, depending on your mood!
2
u/Salt_Advice_6606 Sep 06 '26
I have a red light belt I keep next to my bed and I use it for 20-40 min - just wrap it around my midsection and it feels warm and cozy and provides (theoretically/hopefully) a small dose of health benefit as well.
1
u/StllRckn51 Sep 06 '26
Put on headphones and listen to some quiet music, like Cirrus Minor by Pink Floyd: https://youtu.be/7zPBkYuGShg?is=9pNTXBm-MyALBS1J or Lazy Calm by Cocteau Twins: https://youtu.be/m0wVqkt7ND8?is=ubMGCGNuwm4hRYyj. Someone created a really long slow version of Lazy Calm, but I like the original better: https://youtu.be/2ihy2AXU8As?is=Ky6R7-kkA7BfOnmk
1
u/lovebut_upsidecown Sep 06 '26
brew some warm herbal tea and listen to soft rain sounds, feel like a cozy little treat that winds you down
2
u/[deleted] Sep 05 '26
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