Welcome back, Happy Army!
Last time we talked about my morning ritual, so now we gotta talk about my nighttime ritual!
While morning routines honestly take a little more work out of me, my nighttime routine is something I look forward to! It's my time to hit pause, reflect, and reset for a fresh start tomorrow. And the reward after doing my nighttime routine? I get to plop in bed and feel amazing!
My nighttime routine is like a cozy hug for my body, mind, and soul—helping me shift from the busyness of the day into a calm, peaceful mindset.
I’ll be honest—do I do this every single night? Nope. Far from it. I skip my night routine way more often than I’d like to admit. But on the nights when I actually stick to it? I feel so accomplished, so calm, and genuinely ready to take on the next day.
Let me walk you through what I do to unwind and recharge each night—it’s nothing fancy, but it makes all the difference.
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I also have a post on my morning ritual as well! If you're curious to check that out, click right here! And if you're ready to create your own healthy morning and night rituals, I recommend my post on How to Create Your Perfect Morning and Night Routine!
1. Removing Makeup: Saying Goodbye to the Day
First things first: I take off my makeup. I really try to never sleep with it on—it’s a big no-no! Sleeping with makeup clogs pores, causes breakouts, and can even lead to irritation or infections. Trust me, the list goes on.
But honestly, there’s something so satisfying about wiping away the day—literally. It feels like shedding all the layers I’ve carried around and stepping into my natural, relaxed self. A fresh face is my signal that it’s time to slow down and unwind.
I used to rely on makeup wipes, but they always felt a bit too rough on my skin. Now, I use oil instead, and it works so much better—honestly, better than the wipes ever did. Personally, I use sesame oil since it’s recommended for Vata body types in Ayurveda, but really, any oil you have in the kitchen will do the trick!
At the end of the day, all we are talking about in this post is creating habits- and we all know how hard habits are to create! The Fabulous app gave me that extra nudge I needed to finally get my morning and night routines down. It's like a best friend that holds you accountable while lifting you up at the same time! I love the daily audio guides, the science-backed approach using behavioral economics, and the way it builds up habits gradually rather than expecting perfection from the get-go! This app truly sets you up for success, and I want the same for you! So please, do yourself a favor—click the link and check it out!
2. Shower and Brushing Teeth: A Clean Slate
Next up is a warm shower. It’s my mini spa moment where I can wash off not just the dirt and sweat but also the stress that’s built up. I also love using a nice sugar scrub at this time to give my skin a deeper cleanse. Brushing my teeth right after is the cherry on top—nothing beats that clean, fresh feeling before bed!
3. Oil Massage: A Little Love for Myself
Before slipping into my comfiest PJs, I treat myself to a quick oil massage—and let me tell you, it’s a total game-changer, especially after using a sugar scrub! My skin gets the nourishment it craves (the next day, it’s so soft and hydrated—it’s amazing), my muscles completely relax, and since I use sesame oil, it warms up my perpetually cold body. Bliss!
If you're curious to know what kind of oil would be best for you, we first need to figure out your dosha. Check out my post on Identifying Your Ayurvedic Dosha here!
4. Braiding My Hair: Tidy and Tangle-Free
Braiding my hair might not sound exciting, but it’s one of those little things that makes a big difference. It keeps my hair neat, prevents tangles, and honestly, the process itself is kind of calming. It’s like I’m weaving a little peace into my night. I try to use silk scrunchies since it's better for my hair.
5. Picking Out Clothes for Tomorrow: Making Mornings Easier
This step is all about setting my future self up for success. I choose my outfit for the next day and give it a quick iron if needed. It’s a small thing, but knowing I don’t have to stress about it in the morning makes a huge difference. Plus, it saves me so much time in the morning!
Fun fact: I can’t iron to save my life. For some reason, I just can’t figure it out! So, to save myself from the struggle (and the wrinkles), I got a clothes steamer—and let me tell you, it’s been a total game-changer. Not only does it smooth out wrinkles effortlessly, but it also gets rid of dust, germs, and pretty much anything else lurking in your clothes.
Seriously, I highly recommend it! This steamer is my everything.
6. Soaking Almonds: A Healthy Habit in the Making
I know this one’s a little random, but I always soak a handful of almonds for the next day. It’s a simple health hack that makes them easier to digest and gives me a head start on my morning nutrition. I usually add them into my breakfast oatmeal, or I just eat them throughout the morning.
7. Budget Check: Keeping My Finances in Check
Before I fully wind down, I spend a few minutes looking over my budget. Nothing intense—just a quick check to make sure I’m on track. Technology makes it too easy for us to spend way too much money, so I like to be able to monitor how I did with budgeting throughout the day. It helps me feel organized and in control, which is a surprisingly great feeling to end the day on.
8. Journaling: Letting It All Out
I grab my journal and jot down a few thoughts about the day—what went well, what didn’t, and anything I need to let go of before bed. It’s like clearing out mental clutter so my mind can truly rest. Being a very work-driven person, I tend to measure how good a day was by how much I accomplished. If it was a productive day, I like to reflect on what set me up for success and think about how I can replicate that. On the flip side, if the day didn’t go as planned, I look for lessons or patterns I can learn from.
If you ever feel stuck on what to write, the Fabulous app has some incredible prompts I’d highly recommend. The prompts are tailored to where you are in your Fabulous journey, so you can track your progress and watch yourself adapt and evolve into the best version of yourself. I genuinely use this app every single day, so I know you are going to love it! Click the link and give it a try!
9. Reading: Escaping into a Good Book
Finally, I cozy up with a book. Whether it’s fiction or something inspiring, reading helps me unwind and gently slows my brain down. It’s my favorite way to drift closer to sleep.
10. Fitbit for Sleep Tracking: A Little Accountability
Before I close my eyes, I slip on my Fitbit to track my sleep. It’s nice to see how well I’m resting and make adjustments if needed. It’s a small way of staying mindful about prioritizing sleep.
Sticking with a routine can be the toughest part! As The Fabulous app rightfully says, success is just a series of habits working together. This app really helps build consistency and makes it easy to create healthy habits—even the ones that take the most effort! Try it out, and I guarantee you’ll be on your way to living your best life in no time! If it worked for me, it can work for you!
Wrapping It Up
My nighttime routine isn’t just about getting ready for bed—it’s a little gift I give myself every night. From the soothing oil massage to the quiet reflection during journaling, every step helps me let go of the day and embrace the calm of the evening. It’s nothing fancy, but it’s mine, and it works.
If you’re looking to create your own evening ritual, start small, try out different things, and find what makes you feel most relaxed.
Now that we understand a little more about Ayurveda and the Doshas, check out my posts on 10 Energizing Foods for Pitta, 10 Energizing Foods for Vata, and 10 Energizing Foods for Kapha to see what foods are right for you!
I also have several posts on cravings, and how that is related to your body type as well! Check out my post on decoding your cravings using Ayurveda here!
I also have a bunch of posts about yoga, which is heavily emphasized in Ayurveda as one of the best forms of exercise! Check out my posts 10 Things I Got to Start My Yoga Practice (Great place for gift ideas, too!), The Benefits of Hatha Yoga, How to Stick to Your Yoga Routine, and so much more!
That's it for now! Sending positive vibes your way, and happy exploring!
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