Switching off at night isn’t always as easy as it sounds. Even when you’re tired, your mind can still feel busy.
Most of the time, it comes down to how your day has gone, and if you’ve been rushing right up until bedtime, it can be hard to suddenly switch off.
A simple evening routine gives you a bit of space to slow things down before bed, making it easier to switch off when you finally lie down.
Keep reading for our advice on creating a routine that works for you.
How to Create a Bedtime Routine for Adults That Feels Realistic
A good evening routine isn’t built all at once. It’s something you shape over time by finding what works and keeping it consistent.
Start with one or two things you can do most nights without thinking too much about it.
That might be turning the lights down at a certain time, getting ready for the next day, or giving yourself a few minutes to sit quietly before bed.
Once those feel natural, you can add to them if you want to. But the routine itself should stay steady.
Doing the same small things in the same order helps your body recognise when it’s time to slow down.
Some evenings will look different, and that’s fine. What matters is having a simple structure you come back to, so your body isn’t trying to guess when it’s time to switch off.
See our advice for avoiding bedtime procrastination here.
Our 10 Tips for Better Sleep
If you’re not sure where to start, these are the habits that tend to make the biggest difference.
1. Start winding down earlier
Evenings have a habit of disappearing. Giving yourself a bit of extra time to slow down helps your body ease into sleep rather than going straight from busy to bed.
2. Set a bedtime you can stick to
Consistency helps your body find a rhythm. It doesn’t need to be early, just something that works for you and feels realistic to maintain.
3. Do something that helps you switch off
Your routine should include something you actually enjoy.
That might be reading, listening to music, or just sitting quietly for a few minutes.
If your mind tends to stay busy, using a self-care journal can help you get thoughts out of your head before bed, so they’re not still there when you lie down.
4. Get prepared for the next day
Spending a few minutes preparing for tomorrow can help your evenings feel calmer.
Laying out clothes, packing your bag, or sorting breakfast removes small pressures from the morning and gives your mind one less thing to hold onto overnight.
5. Ease off screens before bed
Screens keep your brain active and make it easy to lose track of time.
You don’t have to cut them out completely, but giving yourself some screen-free time before bed helps your body settle more naturally.
6. Create a calmer environment
Your surroundings can either keep you switched on or help you slow down.
Lower lighting, a tidy space, and softer surroundings all help signal that the day is coming to an end.
Lighting an aromatherapy candle in the evening can also help shift the mood, making everything feel a bit quieter and more relaxed.
7. Take a warm shower or bath
A warm shower or bath helps release tension from your muscles and gives you a clear pause in your evening.
As your body cools afterwards, it naturally starts preparing for sleep.
8. Add a simple physical ritual
Sometimes the easiest way to switch off is to bring your focus back into your body.
Something like dry brushing before your shower or using a face sculpting tool for a few minutes can help encourage circulation and release tension from the day.
Arella’s copper body brush and face sculpting tool are easy to build into your routine without adding extra time, helping you create small, consistent habits that support both your body and your sleep.
9. Reduce light before bed
Light plays a big role in how ready your body feels for sleep.
Keeping overhead lights on late into the evening can make it harder to wind down, even if you feel tired.
Switching to softer lighting, like lamps or a candle, helps signal that the day is coming to an end.
When it’s time to sleep, blocking out light completely can make a noticeable difference.
An eye mask is a simple way to do this, especially if your room isn’t fully dark or you’re sensitive to light.
Further reading: Getting better rest with a sleep mask.
10. Make a calming drink
A warm drink in the evening can be a simple way to slow things down.
Herbal teas like chamomile or lavender are often used to help the body relax, but even just the act of making a drink and sitting with it for a few minutes can create a natural pause in your routine.
It’s less about the drink itself and more about giving yourself that moment to settle before bed.
Read our guide to collagen for sleep support.
Getting Better Rest with Arella
A better evening routine comes down to what you actually do in that last hour or so before bed.
Small, repeatable steps tend to make the biggest difference. That might be dimming the lights, putting your phone down earlier, or taking a few minutes to do something that helps you feel more settled.
It’s about finding a routine for you, and working with tools that help you fully relax.
We’ve designed our wellness accessories to fit into those moments without adding extra effort. View the full range here.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best evening routine for good sleep?
The best routine is one you can stick to. It usually includes a consistent bedtime, some time to wind down, and a few simple habits that help your body shift out of “busy mode” before bed.
What are the 5 don’ts before bed?
Try to avoid heavy screen use, caffeine late in the day, going to bed at very different times each night, overstimulating activities, and rushing straight from a busy evening into bed. These can all make it harder for your body to settle naturally.
