Evening Self-Care Habits That Actually Help You Wind Down
Last Updated on June 30, 2025 by Amy
After a full day of juggling work, family, and all the everyday chaos, slowing down in the evening can feel impossible. You finally get a moment to yourself, but your brain’s still whirring, your to-do list is unfinished, and rest feels like just another task you can’t quite get to.
I used to love a long evening bath to relax, candles, bubbles, the whole thing, but these days? I either don’t have the time, or I end up sitting there thinking about all the things I should be doing instead. It just doesn’t hit the same when your brain’s still in go-mode.
But here’s the truth: evening self-care doesn’t have to be some elaborate, Pinterest-perfect routine. It’s about finding small, realistic ways to transition out of survival mode and into something softer. Something that signals to your body and brain that it’s safe to relax now.
These are the evening self-care habits that genuinely help me wind down, even when I’m shattered and short on time.
TL;DR: Evening Self-Care Habits That Actually Work
- Stick to something simple and repeatable
- Dim the lights to cue your body that it’s time to slow down
- Let skincare feel like a ritual, not a race
- Choose comfort, not stimulation, with a warm drink
- Carve out just 20 minutes away from screens
- Try light stretching or mindful breathing
- Prep tomorrow, then let it go
- Build a “soft landing” routine for calmer evenings
1. Dim the Lights and Ditch the Overheads
Signal to your brain that it’s time to unwind
Our bodies respond instinctively to light. Bright overhead lighting can trick your brain into thinking it’s still go-time, which makes winding down so much harder.
Try switching to softer lighting at least an hour before bed. Lamps, fairy lights, or warm-toned bulbs work beautifully.
Try this:
- Use a salt lamp for a calming glow
- Light a candle or two if you’ve got five minutes to sit and breathe
- Switch the harsh bathroom light for a softer one during your nighttime routine
2. Turn Skincare into a Ritual, Not a Rush
A quiet moment just for you
Let’s be honest, when you’re exhausted, it’s easy to slap on moisturiser and call it a night. But when I take a few extra seconds to slow it down, even my skincare routine feels like self-care.
Try this:
- Take a few deep breaths while cleansing
- Use a warm flannel instead of splashing water
- Gently massage in your moisturiser or facial oil
This is one of the only parts of the day that’s just for you. You don’t need to talk, fix, or clean anything. Just breathe.
Need ideas? Check out my Sunday Reset Skincare Routine post for more inspo!
3. A Warm Drink (Without the Sugar or Caffeine)
Skip the sugar, skip the stimulation
A warm drink can be a powerful cue for your body to start winding down, but not all of them are equally helpful for sleep. I’ll be honest, this is the one I find hardest to stick to. More often than not, I reach for a cup of tea and a biscuit (or some chocolate) in the evenings. And honestly? I think that’s perfectly fine now and then, sometimes you just need the treat. But during the week, I try to save the sugar for the weekend and opt for one of the more calming choices below.
Opt for caffeine-free, low-sugar choices like:
- Herbal teas (chamomile, peppermint, valerian root)
- Warm milk with a sprinkle of cinnamon
- Decaf rooibos with a dash of oat milk
4. Step Away from the Screen (Even for 15 Minutes)
Protect your sleep hormones
This one’s hard, I know. Once the kids are in bed, it’s tempting to scroll, binge, or catch up on everything. But screens delay melatonin production and can overstimulate your brain just when it needs to power down.
If switching off completely feels impossible, try just 15–20 minutes of screen-free time before bed. Even that short window can help.
Need structure? Try:
- Writing tomorrow’s to-do list
- Journaling three things you’re grateful for
- Reading a couple of pages from a book or magazine
5. Stretch or Breathe (No Full Yoga Session Required)
Release tension without the overwhelm
You don’t need a candlelit 30-minute yoga class to feel better before bed. A few simple stretches or breathing exercises can do wonders.
Quick ideas:
- Shoulder rolls, neck stretches, or lying twists
- Box breathing: inhale 4, hold 4, exhale 4, hold 4
- A 5-minute guided meditation from an app like Insight Timer or Headspace
Even a few deep breaths before brushing your teeth can help calm your system.
6. Prep Tomorrow, Then Let It Go
Ease mental clutter
Sometimes I find it hard to sleep because tomorrow’s plans are swirling in my head. Sound familiar?
Spend just 5 minutes writing down meals, appointments, or a couple of must-do tasks for the next day. Get it out of your head and onto paper.
Then, and this part’s important, let it go. You’ve done enough. You are allowed to rest.
7. Give Yourself a “Soft Landing”
Wind down gently instead of crashing into bed
Instead of collapsing onto the sofa and staying up until midnight, I’ve found that building a consistent, gentle wind-down routine makes a massive difference to how rested I feel the next morning.
Here’s a sample routine I use on busy evenings:
9:00 pm: Put phones on charge in another room
9:10 pm: Skincare + change into comfy loungewear
9:20 pm: Tea + meditate or read
9:40 pm: Lights off, in bed
It doesn’t need to be fancy; find a routine that works for you.
Self-Care Doesn’t Have to Be Fancy
Evening self-care isn’t about bubble baths, £80 candles, or achieving some perfect night routine aesthetic. It’s about slowing down, honouring what you need, and creating a sense of calm that’s actually doable in your real life.
Even 10 minutes can make a difference. And sometimes the most powerful act of self-care is simply going to bed on time!
