Evening routines

None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.

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Avoid stress or sports late in the evening.
Otherwise, it may take at least 30 minutes longer to fall asleep.
- Based on personal experience.
one person who lived it
Go to bed early enough to get at least seven or eight hours of sleep.
Getting up early allows time for a whole routine so you arrive at school or work rested, prepared, and relaxed.
one person who lived it
Put your phone on airplane mode and in another room for one minute before bed.
It signals to your brain that the day is over and it is time to unwind.
one person who lived it
- Use a physical alarm clock and keep your phone in another room until you have finished your morning routine.2
Write down one small win from the day, rather than a to-do list or potential tasks.
It helps recognize that you accomplished something.
one person who lived it
Keep your bedroom slightly cool and open a window to let in fresh air.
Comfortable sleep is best achieved this way.
one person who lived it

Play with your dogs in the yard in the evening to avoid sitting at a table, which can drain motivation.
It prevents sitting at a table, which drains motivation.
one person who lived it
Read a book in the evening as part of a simple wind-down routine.
It helps you fall asleep.
2 people, independently
Create a shutdown list to close open loops in your brain.
This leverages the Zeigarnik effect.
one person who lived it
Prepare evening routine materials before dinner while you still have decision-making energy, rather than relying on willpower later.
Willpower may be zero after 8 PM.
one person who lived it

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Make skincare a relaxing nighttime habit.
It is described as quite relaxing.
one person who lived it
Plan hobbies into your evenings to feel grounded and eliminate guilt about ignoring personal interests.
It makes you feel more grounded and removes guilt about ignoring your own interests.
one person who lived it
Write down your next day's to-do list immediately after finishing your current activities.
It allows you to completely disconnect from the next day's responsibilities.
one person who lived it
Journal, practice gratitude journaling, and meditate before sleeping.
People underestimate the importance of sleep.
one person who lived it