How To Create An Evening Routine - 8 Things To Do After 6 PM

Here is an 8-step evening routine you should indulge in after 6 pm to unwind, relax, and prepare for a restful night.

There’s no doubt that routines are amazing for living a balanced life.

When you have certain habits and rituals that you do at a certain time every day, your self-control strengthens, and you feel more in control of your life.

If you’re a regular reader of this blog, you’d know that I’m obsessed with morning routines.

But long before I discovered the beauty of being a morning person, I’d been a sucker for evening habits and still am.

If I didn’t have an evening routine, I’d probably drag my overwhelmed brain to bed with me and sleep as if the bed was on fire.

After a busy day, the idea of sticking to yet another routine might seem exhausting, but it’s the best way to draw the line between your work hours and your personal time.

The hours after 6 pm hold tremendous potential for self-care, relaxation, and setting the stage for a peaceful night’s sleep.

And in this post, I want to take you through an 8-step evening routine that will help you tap into your blissful mode before bed.

But before moving on, pin this post for safekeeping.

Kick off your shoes, lean back, and tuck your feet under a blanket. We’re entering our evening wellness zone.

Let’s dive in!

8 Healthy Evening Routine Ideas To Try After 6 PM

1. Start With A Self-Care Ritual

After a tired day at work, school, or taking care of kids, your mind might find it hard to detangle the many stressful thoughts that follow you into your evening.

It’s important to indulge in self-care, even if it’s just for 10 minutes, and give yourself a quick mental detox through a soothing ritual.

This could be anything that brings you instant relaxation.

Every evening when the clock strikes 6, I shut down my laptop, pour myself a cup of black coffee, and then curl up on my couch with a journal, a book, or a pack of affirmation cards, depending on what I’m in the mood for.

This one evening ritual works like a charm on my mood and helps me transition from work to personal mode.

You could water your plants, call a friend for a quick chat, or create a gratitude list while sipping green tea.

For more ideas, check out: 101 Quick 5-Minute Self-Care Activities For A Refreshing Time

2. Move Your Body

I switch between morning and evening workouts depending on the season, but most evenings, I do try to move my body some way, even if it’s not through an intensive workout.

Exercise isn’t good just for your physical health; your mental wellness thrives off of body movement, and a workout is a perfect way to bust stress and channel your negative thoughts.

You can do cardio, strength training, and flexibility exercises, or opt for a combination of all three.

If heavy workouts don’t float your boat, then head outside for a brisk-paced walk in nature. Yoga is another great option!

Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise every evening to keep your body and mind healthy.

3. Take A Shower

A shower is the best and perhaps the most relaxing activity for your evening routine.

I mean, you could ignore every other tip in this, indulge in a shower routine in the name of having an evening routine, and call it a day.

It’s the ultimate habit to wash away the day’s stress and signal to your body that it’s time to wind down.

Use a nice-smelling lotion, a gentle loofah, and other suitable products based on your skin type for a calm shower experience.

You could start with hot water and gradually decrease the temperature to end your shower with cold water. This is known as contrast shower and I’ve been loving taking my showers this way.

Do what suits your body the best, and don’t forget to do your skincare routine afterward. Cleansing, toning, and moisturizing are a must for your face.

4. Have A Good Dinner

Your breakfast should be heavy and fulfilling, but dinner should be on the lighter side to avoid any sleep disruptions.

Avoid takeouts, and cook yourself a balanced and nutritious dinner with a mix of proteins, vegetables, and whole grains.

You can make healthy choices while opting for your favorite dishes. There are loads of recipes on YouTube that will give you the perfect recipe for a balanced yet tasty dinner.

Save the heavy or spicy foods for your weekend nights; you don’t want to compromise your gut health during this time of day.

You can practice mindful eating by eliminating distractions or enjoy family and entertainment time while eating dinner. I usually watch an episode of some sitcom to make my dinnertime fun and engaging.

Don’t forget to brush your teeth after some time. It’s an unskippable part of your healthcare routine.

5. Prepare For The Next Day

An evening routine is incomplete without some organizing and planning.

You should spend a few minutes preparing for the next day to avoid the morning rush. It’ll also help you go to bed with an easy mind.

Select an outfit and lay out your clothes in advance. Pack your bag and organize the items in it so that they are easily accessible.

Prepare a to-do list for the next day to stop fretting about your tasks in your head.

I also like to lay out all the items for my morning routine in advance so that I wake up feeling recharged and inspired.

6. Digital Check-In Before Unplugging

No matter how dependent you are on your digital devices for work or socializing, you should forget that they even exist the moment you slip into bed.

It won’t do your mind any good to click on notifications or indulge in chatting at this hour.

To connect to yourself, you need to disconnect yourself from things that disrupt your focus and mindfulness.

But before unplugging your devices, do a quick digital check-in to ensure you’re not missing out on anything urgent.

Respond to important emails or messages, but avoid indulging for more than a few minutes.

Set your alarm, put your phone down, and then get ready for the coziest part of your evening routine.

7. Set The Tone For A Relaxing Bedtime

After a long and hectic day, it can be tempting to slip into bed and doze off or scroll through your Instagram feed.

But I promise you could drastically improve your bedtime quality by making a few tweaks and changes to the atmosphere.

Smooth out the creases in your bed, turn on a warm light, and put a sleeping mask close to your pillow.

I’d also recommend turning on a humidifier on your nightstand as it can be amazing for your sleep.

Put a book on your nightstand, even if you don’t plan on indulging in bedtime reading. It’ll make you feel cute and cozy.

You can also grab a cup of herbal tea and a light snack to relax your body.

These tiny bedtime habits will act as signals to your brain to let go of any lingering stress and get ready for a good night’s sleep.

Must read: 21 Good Habits For Mental Health And Ultimate Happiness

8. Wrap Up With A Mindful Activity

Before sleeping, give yourself the gift of tuning into mindfulness through some soothing activity.

It can be a few minutes of meditation or a gentle bed yoga session to calm your mind and release any tension build-up during the day.

When it comes to tapping into mindfulness during bedtime, you can never go wrong with journaling.

Reflect back on your day by penning down the highlights (both good and bad). Write some affirmations or try a journal prompt to create an interesting entry.

Reading is another blissful bedtime ritual that can bring your awareness to the present by channeling your focus positively.

It’s my all-time favorite way to wrap up my evening routine, and you should definitely give it a try before ruling it out as your closing ritual of the day.

Craft Your Ideal Evening Routine With These Tips

Whether you’re a night owl looking to make the most of your late hours or an early sleeper seeking a serene transition from day to night, these 8 evening habits will help you craft an ideal routine that suits your lifestyle.

Feel free to ditch the tips that don’t appeal to you and add some new ones according to your preferences and schedule.

The key is to create a routine that helps you transition from the active part of your day to a more relaxed evening so that you can go to bed stress-free and wake up recharged.

Hope these tips help you do that!

Got any evening routine ideas you’d like to recommend? Feel free to share in the comment box! I love hearing from my readers and always respond ASAP.

How To Create An Evening Routine – 8 Things To Do After 6 PM