Evening Routines for Moms That Erase Stress and Give Peace

One of the most important times of day… night! These evening routines for moms will help you relax, unwind, and sleep well.

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I used to have this horrible dread and doom that came when the sun started going down.

As soon as 5 pm rolled around during the winter, or 7 pm during the summer, I started to feel anxious.

Upset.

Worried.

I would pick anything ole random thing to worry about it seemed like. It was really awful, actually. My husband worked nights for a long time and I really struggled with unwinding, relaxing, and refreshing.

Eventually, I came to see that my own moods and feelings in the evenings were actually kind of controllable. If I organized my evenings well WITHOUT thinking about efficiency or productivity, but instead thinking about life-giving habits… it made a world of difference.

Remember, it’s the small repeatable inexpensive daily habits that keep our moods high. And when we feel good in the evenings, it’ll carry over into the mornings.

Things to consider when creating an evening routine…

First, there are obvious seasons of life.

If you have a newborn, you may need to go to bed earlier to account for night wakings.

If you are working from home temporarily and can’t focus during the day (because, duh, of course you can’t with little ones!) then, you may have to stay up later at night.

Your evening routine should always take into account your season of life. And it will change as the months go by and things are different.

➡️ The biggest key is not to force something because you think you *should* do it when, in reality, you know you won’t do it.

Evening Routine Ideas for Moms

So… there are a few things you can put into your evening routine. Pick and choose what works for you and, most importantly, what helps you feel relaxed, peaceful, and ready to drift off into a nice sleep.

Remember, the evening is a perfect time for your self-care routines.

Hygiene and Body Care

Maybe you like being pampered? Including a special hygiene or body care regimen in your evening routine can be a fun way to de-stress and re-vitalize after a long day.

The act of taking care of your body may have been something you let go. I know I did. I barely got the kids bathed, much less gave myself a sugar scrub. When I make time for it, somehow someway, I end up feeling better.

• Epsom salt baths| These help prevent fluid retention – why oh why do I retain fluid – and are a good source of magnesium. I like to stock up on these and take a nice hot bath at the end of a long day.
• Infused Showers| Did you know you could infuse your shower with some sleepy time lavender and chamomile?
• Wash your face| Scrub, massage, or just get your makeup off. Wash slowly and thoroughly. A clean soft face will make you feel a little better about the bags under your eyes ?.
• Lotion & more lotion| It feels nice to hydrate your skin at the end of a busy day. I love putting lotion on my feet and then throwing on some soft socks at the end of the day.
• Toes & fingers | There are so many online options right now for doing pedicures and manicures. Remember when you used to paint your fingernails to match your outfit? Not saying that’s in the cards, but it’s nice to see pretty fingers throughout the day.
• A massage| I’m not talking about making an appointment, I’m suggesting you get a back and neck massager. I’ve purchased 2 of these so far. The first time I actually forgot to put my hair up and the motor sucked all my hair inside it so… maybe avoid that.
• Detox| If you enjoy detoxing, the Ionic Foot Detoxing System can help eliminate unhealthy toxins and renew your energy at the end of the day. I did this at a spa once and was both shocked and amazed at the result.

Read: My “Daily Escape” to a Quiet Place & Why It’s Necessary

Prep for the Next Day

If you are the type who likes to do a little now to get ahead later, then these will help you do that. The key is not to overly fill your evenings of you are just spreading out the stress.

Don’t think you need to do every single thing for the next day and then use up all that time. Use one or two of the things that cause you the most stress, and get those done instead.

• Pack Kid’s Lunches| One sure way to have a stressed morning is to wait until morning on this one. Or better yet, have your kids pack their own lunches.
• Set out breakfast| This feels good, especially for planners. If you’re like me, planning helps with feeding my kids healthy foods.
• Make a to-do list for the next day| I have read how some mom’s totally de-clutter their brains before bed by jotting down a list for the next day. If you struggle to clear your mind at bedtime, try this.
• Lay out clothes| Laying out clothes can be a fun way to prep for the next day. This is true especially if you have multiple children.
• Set coffee/tea on a timer| Do you love waking up to the small of hot tea or yummy coffee? Most coffee makers now have timers, and this could be something nice to look forward to.
• Pick up surfaces| I recommend doing an evening sweep as part of any evening routine for moms because it’s so so satisfying.
• Check over plans| Today, many stay at home moms are also homeschooling. So, if you’re a planner, look over those plans.
• Shop online| Need groceries? Go ahead and schedule your pick-up the night before to ease the stress of the next day.

Relaxation Routines

Be honest… doesn’t a relaxation routine sound nice? Maybe it’s because you’ve been having a hard time falling asleep. Or… maybe it’s because as humans we are built to need wind down and relaxation.

At its best, a relaxation routine is designed to prepare you for sleep and welcome you to a place of rest (mentally, emotionally, and physically).

• Take time to connect with your spouse| Watch some TV together, play a card game, or just spend some quality time together.
• Read| Reading has been a lifesaver to my tired mind over the years. It puts me right out…
• Journal| Jotting down the events of each day are a proven way to vent or release built up emotions that can interrupt a peaceful sleep. New to journaling? Try Present, Not Perfect- A Journal for Slowing Down.
• Playing some relaxing music| You’ll be surprised how much it helps to have calming sounds in the background. By the way, music therapy has been proven to put people in a peaceful mindset and help prepare them for a relaxed state.
• Do a crossword| An age old tradition. My husband and I often pick up a crossword to do together.
• Diffusing Essential Oils| Aromatherapy…. ahhhh! Pick some relaxing oils such as lavender or chamomile and put them in a diffuser. Many have relaxing light settings as well.

Pre-Sleep Routines

This likely bleeds over into the other areas, but I think it’s super important that bedtime feels welcoming. Bedtime should be something you WANT to do, not something you fight.

These simple things help with wind down and sleep because they make you feel a bit more special. Anything that makes normal life feel slightly more luxurious is a win!

• Up your pajama game| It may seem silly at first, but ditching those old worn out rags for something classy & comfy can be the ticket to mentally staring your wind down.
• Get good sheets| With so many options for soft, hypoallergenic, synthetic free, luscious silk, or satin sheets out there… it’s time for an upgrade.
• An eye mask| I feel like I’m in a spa when I wear my eye masks. This is also helpful if your spouse likes to read in bed.
• Get a cozy comforter| If you have sleep anxiety, I highly recommend trying the Quilted Weighted Blanket. It’s feels like your comforter now has the ability to give you a hug. A nice snuggly blanket will help you relax.
• Stop with the devices| Yes, your phone has blue light. Yes, it does cause your eyes to wig out… especially before bedtime. I plug my phone in another room. I also set my alarm early and refuse to look at it during my “wind down” time.

And two more for the road.

If you really struggle to wind down or calm down in the evenings, then I suggest these two things.

Breathing exercises

Unless your a classical singer, you probably have no idea what I’m talking about. It’s not very hard… don’t worry. First, Breathe in you nose until you feel your belly button push up. Then, hold your breath for 8-9 seconds. Lastly, release your breath as slow as you can. REPEAT to completely relax. You’re welcome!

Pray

If I am feeling worried or anxious, I will pray through it all and more often than not, I fall asleep mid-prayer. Maybe that’s good or maybe it’s not, but it shows how relaxing it is.