Create a Nighttime Routine

Winding Down to Prepare for Sleep

Hello gorgeous folks,

Have you heard of a nighttime or “winding down” routine? Similar to a morning routine, this helps you wind down before falling asleep.

June 9th Mars moved into Taurus, where it will stay until July 20th. Mars, being the planet of fast action and war, has a difficult time in slow moving and grounded Taurus. I see these polarizing energies as an invitation to slow down, release overworking, and refocus priorities at work or home. It is also the perfect time to create a nighttime routine if you don’t already have one.

Now, I find the trick to creating a nighttime routine is to give yourself three to four days to prepare for it. The gift of a winding down routine is that it helps you sleep better. Setting you up for a more effective morning or “getting started” routine.

So, if you’re a nighttime person, you can have your getting started routine right before you begin your evening of work, then play (or play then work). Then, do your winding down routine in the morning and sleep during the day.

It took me a few days to sit with what a winding down or nighttime routine would look like. First, I had to decide what time to go to bed. I needed a few days to organize my days and activities to get to bed at a relatively consistent time.

I also know it is highly recommended to have no screen time, no technology, for at least an hour before you fall asleep. I still only get about 15 to 30 minutes of screen free time before going to sleep most nights.

My approach is to at least no longer watch anything activating, or content that’s going to amp me up energetically, for an hour to two hours before I fall asleep. Instead of watching TV shows that get my adrenaline going, I now listen to podcasts or audiobooks that relax my nervous system during that time.

Some nights, I even have the energy and focus to read an actual physical book for about 30 minutes. Then, I meditate or handwrite in a journal for 20 minutes. So, for now, those are my winding down routines. 

Share with me how you wind down to prepare for sleep.

Easefully yours,

Darice