Let’s be real—sleeping well when you’ve got a million things on your mind (or a baby, or stress, or just life in general) is HARD.
I used to stay up late scrolling, tossing and turning, waking up feeling like I’d been hit by a truck. My brain wouldn’t shut up, and my body just didn’t know how to relax. But after a lot of trial and error, I’ve finally found a simple nighttime routine that helps me actually fall asleep and stay asleep.
So if you’re like, “How do I get better sleep without doing something drastic?”—this post is for you.
My 6-Step Night Routine for Better Sleep
- I Shut Down Screens by 9 PM (Even if I Don’t Want To)
This one hurt at first. But the blue light from your phone or TV tricks your brain into thinking it’s still daytime. I started putting my phone on “Do Not Disturb” mode and either plug it in across the room or just shut it off. I use that time to do other things that don’t involve a screen—like reading, journaling, or just stretching. - I Dim the Lights: Around 8:30 PM, I turn off the overhead lights and use soft lamps or candles instead. It cues my brain that it’s time to wind down. Bonus: It makes the house feel extra cozy.
- I Drink a Calming Tea or Magnesium: I love sipping on something warm before bed. Chamomile or peppermint tea are my go-tos, or I’ll take a magnesium supplement (which helps your muscles relax and can seriously help with falling asleep faster).
- I Do a Quick Brain Dump: If my mind is racing, I’ll grab a notebook and write down everything I’m thinking—my to-do list for tomorrow, what I’m worried about, anything. It helps me stop spiraling in bed later. Just getting it out of your head can be huge.
- I Keep My Bedroom Cool and Dark: I used to think I liked being warm and cozy, but nope—cool rooms = better sleep. I use blackout curtains, a fan for white noise, and keep the temperature around 65–68°F if I can.
- I Stick to a Sleep-Wake Time (Even on Weekends) This one’s hard, but it made the biggest difference. I try to go to bed around the same time every night and wake up around the same time every morning. It trained my body to actually want sleep at the right time.
Bonus Tips That Helped:
• I stopped eating heavy meals too close to bedtime.
• I’ve found stretching really helps me wind down, I’ll watch a 10-15 minute video off YouTube. Not only am I more flexible but I sleep better.
You don’t need to overhaul your entire life to sleep better. Just a few small changes in your night routine can seriously improve how rested and calm you feel.
Share your tips for a good night’s rest below!
