I thought I didn’t have time for an evening routine—until I realized it was the key to waking up refreshed and balanced.
Why I Needed an Evening Routine to Reduce Stress
For the longest time, I didn’t have an intentional evening routine to reduce stress.
✔ I would stay up late scrolling on my phone or watching random videos.
✔ My mind would race with thoughts about everything I didn’t get done.
✔ I’d wake up exhausted—as if I hadn’t rested at all.
I used to think evening routines were only for people with “extra time.”
💭 “I’m too busy. I’m too tired. I don’t have time to wind down properly.”
But then I realized something that changed everything:
💡 How I end my day affects how I start the next one.
If I wanted to wake up feeling energized and grounded, I had to start preparing for it the night before. That’s when I began building a simple evening routine to reduce stress—and everything started to shift.
1️⃣ I Created a Simple “Shutdown Ritual” to Mentally Disconnect
One of the biggest reasons I struggled with sleep was because my mind wouldn’t shut off.
I was constantly:
🚩 Thinking about unfinished tasks
🚩 Planning the next day in my head
🚩 Replaying conversations over and over
💡 The Shift: I created a 5-minute “shutdown ritual” to help my brain transition from work mode to rest mode.
🔹 What I Changed:
✅ I wrote down 3 things I accomplished that day
✅ I made a to-do list for the next day to clear my thoughts
✅ I physically closed my laptop and dimmed the lights—my signal that the day was done
🚀 The result? I stopped carrying mental stress into bedtime and felt more at peace.
2️⃣ I Set a “No-Screen Zone” Before Bed
For years, my nighttime routine was just…scrolling. Until I was too tired to keep my eyes open. But that didn’t help me sleep—it made things worse.
💡 The Shift: I set a “No-Screen Zone” 30 minutes before bed to help my mind wind down.
🔹 What I Changed:
✅ Switched from screens to reading, journaling, or gentle stretches
✅ Kept my phone across the room to avoid temptation
✅ Used soft lighting or candles instead of bright overhead lights
🚀 The result? I fell asleep faster and stayed asleep longer because my brain wasn’t overstimulated.
3️⃣ I Created a Wind-Down Routine That Actually Worked for Me
I used to think a perfect evening routine meant 12 steps—skin care, tea, meditation, journaling, deep breathing… it was exhausting just thinking about it.
💡 The Shift: I simplified my nighttime habits and stuck to just 3 things that helped me relax.
🔹 What I Changed:
✅ Took 5 deep breaths to relax my body
✅ Did a quick gratitude check-in (1 thing I was grateful for)
✅ Set out something for the next morning (water bottle, clothes, etc.)
🚀 The result? I felt calm, grounded, and more prepared to sleep deeply and wake up with intention.
The Power of an Evening Routine to Reduce Stress
Once I started ending my days with intention, everything changed.
✔ I stopped carrying anxiety into my sleep
✔ I woke up feeling refreshed and clear
✔ My mornings became easier because I was already prepared
💡 Balance starts the night before. A simple evening routine to reduce stress can set the tone for a more peaceful, productive day.
What’s Next: The Simple Morning Routine That Keeps Me Balanced
A good evening routine makes mornings smoother—but what about when the day actually begins?
In my next blog, I’ll share the simple morning routine that helps me feel focused, energized, and in control from the moment I wake up.
📢 What’s one thing that helps you unwind before bed? Drop a comment—I’d love to hear from you.
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