Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means if you purchase something through my link, I will earn a small commission. This does not affect the price you pay for the item.
When was the last time you got a really good night’s sleep? I’m fortunate in that I usually have no trouble getting to sleep and staying asleep throughout the night. This may just be luck or my genes, but it probably has something to do with my bedtime routine as well. In this post, I will share with you all of the things I do before going to bed and the order in which I do them. If you struggle to sleep, I hope you will pick up some tips that might help you to get a good night’s sleep too.
I usually start my bedtime routine a few hours before actually going to bed. There is usually time between the first few activities and I will do other things in between. In this post, I will just list the things I do consistently every day as I wind down to bedtime.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means if you purchase something through my link, I will earn a small commission. This does not affect the price you pay for the item. I only advertise products that I have used myself and would genuinely recommend.
My Bedtime Routine For A Good Night’s Sleep
1. Take sleep supplements
I take CBD oil for anxiety and it is also known to help with sleep. I don’t know if the CBD oil actually helps me sleep better or not, but it’s still something I do in the evening. Other supplements known to help improve sleep quality are L-Theanine and Magnesium.
Sometimes I also have a cup of herbal tea such as peppermint, chamomile or lavender to help me relax if I’ve had a busy or stressful day.
If you take any medications to help you sleep, taking these would probably come later in your bedtime routine.
2. Remove any makeup and do my skincare
I usually do this step a few hours before actually going to bed. Sometimes, I will just cleanse my face and apply eye cream and moisturiser. Other times when I have more time or feel like doing more, I will use a face mask, scrub and/or toner. I tend to be quite sporadic and I rarely do a full skincare routine every day!
3. Brush and floss my teeth
Immediately after cleaning my face, I also brush and floss my teeth. I don’t tend to eat any snacks in the evening, so it doesn’t matter that I do this a few hours before I go to bed. If you snack or drink anything other than water in the evening, you’d probably want to brush your teeth closer to your bedtime after you have finished eating and drinking for the day.
4. Plan my next day
I like to plan my next day before I go to bed because it helps me to feel more organised. First I tick off any weekly goals that I have completed during the day and then I write out a fresh to-do list in my planner for the next day. I sleep better when I have all my thoughts and plans down on paper instead of running through my head.
5. Drink water
I like to make sure I am well hydrated at night because otherwise, I tend to wake up thirsty. I aim to space out my drinks throughout the evening, rather than drinking loads just before bed. Otherwise, I would need the loo in the night. However, I usually do have a small drink just before bed.
I also fill up a large water bottle with hot water and bring it upstairs with me so that I can have a hot drink as soon as I wake up in the morning. I like to do this because it saves me from having to go downstairs to get a drink when I first wake up.
6. Turn off electronics and switches
It is often recommended to avoid screens for an hour or two before going to bed because they can interrupt your circadian rhythms and keep you awake. I don’t usually adhere to this rule, but I do turn my phone off before I actually get into bed. Otherwise, I have a tendency to scroll on my phone for ages before going to sleep.
I get paranoid about fire so I prefer to completely turn off all my electronic devices such as my laptop and tablet at night. I also turn off all the electrical wall switches apart from the one for my bedside lamp. This is a personal choice and I know that most people would be comfortable leaving them on.
7. Set my alarm for the morning
I use a separate alarm clock instead of my phone because, as mentioned, I prefer to turn my phone off at night. My alarm clock has a sunrise feature so it gradually lights up in the half-hour before the alarm sounds. This helps me to wake up more naturally and gradually in the morning.
At the moment, I set my alarm for 7:30 am every day because I am trying to build a routine of getting up at that time. However, I also go through phases of not setting an alarm unless I need to get up at a particular time.
8. Apply lip balm or lip mask
I get dry lips, so I find it really helpful to apply lip balm or a lip mask before going to sleep. I usually do this when I first get into bed. This moisturises my lips overnight so that they are soft and hydrated in the morning.
9. Apply hand cream
After moisturising my lips, I also slather my hands in hand cream. I get dry, cracked hands, especially in cold weather, so hand cream is a staple for me. I like applying hand cream at night because it stays on without getting repeatedly washed off as it does in the day.
10. Read
Sometimes, if I don’t feel like going to sleep right away, I will read in bed for a while. I usually feel sleepy after a few pages, at which point I put the book down and go to sleep.
Related post: 12 Books That I Loved In 2020
11. Go to the loo
I always go to the loo just before I settle down to sleep, even if I hardly need it. Otherwise, if I don’t fall asleep right away, I might then need the loo which would disturb my efforts in getting to sleep. Going to the loo just before bed also reduces the chance of waking up during the night and needing it.
What’s your bedtime routine?
I hope you found this post helpful and picked up a few tips that might help you sleep better. Do you do any of these steps in your bedtime routine? Is your order different from mine? Is there anything else you do that helps you get a good night’s sleep? Let me know in the comments below!
This is a great routine. I am working on a better routine. So far I have been going to bed and coming off technology at the same time for a few days and I think it is helping. Thank you for sharing your routine.
You’re welcome, I’m glad you enjoyed this post! I definitely find it helpful to have a set time to go to bed x
Love your tips, we sound very similar. I really suffer if I don’t get enough sleep so my night time/pre-bed time routine is key. I also use a pillow spray from Feather & Down which is amazing!
Rosie
I’m glad you love these tips! I will have to check out that pillow spray, I’ve never used one before!
I have been wanting to try CBD for my anxiety. I was just wondering how long before bedtime do you take yours? My started taking the gummies in the morning and she said the first time she took them she got super sleepy.
Love your bedtime routine! It’s somewhat similar to mine. 🙂
I usually take CBD about 3 or 4 hours before bedtime, and I also take it in the morning. But if I was specifically taking it to help me sleep, I’d probably take it closer to bedtime! I’ve tried the gummies before but I didn’t notice much of a difference between those and the oil, so I went back to the oil because it was more cost-effective. It’s interesting to know that your bedtime routine is similar to mine! 🙂
I have always found that a nice cup of herbal tea can really go a long way towards helping me sleep better. That’s something that I try to make time for most days. I am also on a medication right now that has drowsiness as a side effect, so it helps that I take that before bed lol
It’s great that your medication has the positive side-effect of helping you sleep! I agree, herbal tea can be so helpful and it’s so refreshing too x
This is a really fabulous routine. It is similar to my own, but definitely a few things in here I will consider giving a try in the future. I need to develop a good skin care regimen to go along with my routine.
Thank you! I’m glad to have given you some inspiration for your own bedtime routine. 🙂