14 Evening Rituals for Better Sleep
A solid evening routine can be the difference between tossing and turning all night or waking up feeling refreshed and rested. The best part is that how you get ready for bed doesn’t have to be elaborate to be effective. If you want to start making the most of the time you spend winding down for the day, here are a few ideas for relaxing evening rituals to get you started.
1. To avoid tossing and turning after a busy day, keep a notebook or journal beside your bed and write down a list of your worries before you go to sleep. Know that you can revisit them in the morning.
2. Reflect on the day with gratitude. Jot down three things you’re grateful for before bed each evening. Here are a few more gratitude journal prompts to try.
3. Take a relaxing yoga class. We’ve just released our Evening Ritual yoga and meditation playlist full of extra-soothing classes to prepare your body and mind for sleep.
4. Meditation or relaxing breathwork. Try Meditation For Deep Sleep with Jackie Stewart, Yoga Nidra For Sleep with Caley Alyssa, or Breath Sequence: Sleep with Dylan Werner on Alo Moves.
5. Drift off with a soothing nature soundscape. Tune into relaxing music or nature sounds like ocean waves or a rainstorm.
6. Turn off your electronics two to three hours before you go to sleep. Reducing blue light exposure before bed can lead to better sleep.
7. Tidy up your bedroom and put the clutter away. Seeing your room in disarray can make you feel more stressed.
8. Wash your sheets often and invest in a comfortable mattress and pillows. A survey by the National Sleep Foundation found that these things were important for getting a good night’s sleep for the majority of respondents (85% and above).
9. Drink a cup of herbal tea. Chamomile is the best-known, but you can also try valerian root, passionflower, or any of these herbal teas that promote sleep.
10. Prepare for the day ahead. Lay out your outfit and make sure you have all of your essentials stored in one place so you don’t waste time looking for them in the morning.
11. Imagine your next day going successfully. Use the power of visualization to help you release stress about upcoming projects and tap into your inner confidence.
12. Diffuse relaxing essential oils or light a non-toxic candle (make sure to put it out before bed!).
13. Do at least one thing to care for yourself, large or small — whether it’s a long bath, reading a chapter of a good book, or having a piece of your favorite chocolate.
14. Take a long walk and watch the sunset. A study by the National Sleep Foundation showed that sleep quality improves when you’re more physically active than usual.
Ready to make yoga a part of your evening ritual? Get started with a free 14-day trial of Alo Moves and unlock instant access to thousands of yoga and meditation classes online.