17 Insanely Productive Things To Do At Night Before Bed

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Tired of binging Netflix during your bedtime? Here are 17 productive things to do at night for a calm, positive, and blissful bedtime routine.

Nighttime is all about chilling and unwinding your thoughts.

It’s the time of day when you finally get to rest your body and free your mind from the baggage of stress.

Maybe that’s why you find yourself scrolling through your social media feeds, catching all the missed posts from people you haven’t heard from in ages, all the while fighting the urge to fall asleep.

Um, yeah, that’s not really an ideal way to put your thoughts to bed.

If you want to sleep like a baby and wake up feeling like a fresh rose, you need better and healthier nighttime habits that don’t involve mindless digital scrolling.

Now, I am obsessed with my bedtime routines and am always on the lookout for productive things to do at night.

The bedtime tips I am sharing today are simple, productive, and fun to stick to. They’ll make your evenings more mindful and also help you sleep better at night.

Take a second to pin this post for safekeeping.

Here are 13 productive things to do at night to unwind and relax after a long day.

Read on!

17 Productive Things To Do Before Bed

1. Plan Your Next Day

I don’t know about you. but I often worry about my next day during bedtime. From catching the subway to buying groceries, I overthink every little detail of my routine.

Well, worrying is the game of the devil, and planning is an activity for the soul.

Instead of mapping out your future in your head, sit down and put your intentions down into words.

Create a to-do list, plan your schedule, and set some realistic goals for yourself. Decide your outfit in advance to avoid rushing in the morning, and

If you don’t already own a daily planner, then you need to get one ASAP. It will make the task of planning seem like child’s play, and your daily productivity will be off the charts.

GRAB THIS DAILY PLANNER

There are five color options for this planner, so make sure to browse through all the options before making your purchase.

2. Listen To A Podcast

Up for receiving some fresh thoughts and ideas? If yes, then add podcasts to your nighttime playlists.

It’s interesting to hear people talk about subjects that you didn’t even know you needed to know about.

One positive episode each night can change the way you look at things. You’ll find yourself opening up to new opportunities and being less of a naysayer.

I’m currently obsessed with ‘On My Mind’ by Ava Jules. Her episodes are full of sunshine and I love listening to her when I’m by myself.

So, if you’re looking to pick up a podcast but don’t know where to start, I’d definitely recommend you check her out.

3. Start A Side Hustle

If you could carve one hour each night for some side hustle, you could end up making a really good income out of it.

Maybe you have a knack for editing, proofreading, or writing content. There are freelance gigs out there that pay quite well for this kind of work.

You could also create some art or printables and sell them on Etsy. Another example that springs to my mind is blogging.

There are many other options you could go for, but I’ll leave the research process as bedtime homework for you. 😉

4. Do Some Organizing

If you’re someone who has trouble falling asleep, this tip is for you.

Instead of tossing and turning in bed while checking your phone every other minute, get up and do some organizing.

Re-arrange the clothes in your wardrobe, declutter your desk, and organize your bookshelf and messy drawers. You can pick a kitchen cabinet and re-organize the items in it so that they are easier to reach for.

Organizing might not be your favorite activity, but it’s a great way to channel your restless energy into productivity and fall asleep right after hitting the bed.

Read: How To Organize Your Life In One Week

5. Try A Coloring Book

Remember how satisfying coloring was when you were a kid? I wasn’t much of an artist, but even I loved getting coloring books as presents.

I recently came across a coloring book on Amazon and was confused as to why something so bizarre was popping up in my recommendation feed.

The book turned out to be for adults, and I was pleasantly surprised by the positive reviews of people who swore by this activity for stress relief.

If you want to connect with your inner child and become more carefree, this is the coloring book you need to add to your night self-care kit.

BUY THIS COLORING BOOK

True to its name, the book is full of enchanting artwork that your soul will love filling up with vibrant colors. I use a pencil color set, but you can go for any kind that you prefer.

6. Meditate

Lean back against your pillows, close your eyes, and focus on your breaths.

Tune out all the noise that holds you back from being in the present moment, and use the quiet of the night to remind yourself of your own power.

Meditation will help you release your stress and open your mind to better thoughts. Your coming day will serve as a new beginning rather than a continuation of your past.

You can play a guided meditation on Youtube to be more focused. 10 minutes of meditation will change your bedtime mood and help you sleep blissfully throughout the night.

7. Take A Short Walk

Save your thriller shows for the weekend, and head outside for a walk on your weekday nights.

Walking after dinner is good for your metabolism and also freshens up your mind. You can plug in your headset and play some soft music or just enjoy the quiet night in its real glory.

Don’t forget to make a wish upon the stars and pray to the moon goddess for positivity (too poetic, I know, but the nighttime is magical like that.)

Readers love: 10 Insanely Simple Daily Habits To Improve Your Life

8. Create Something

There is no wrong time to be a creator, but if I had to pick the best time of day to channel my creativity, it would be night.

There’s something about this point of the day that gets your creative juices flowing. So, if you’re looking for productive things to do at night, creating something should be at the top of your list.

Put your empty notebooks to good use and write a poem, weave a story, or try your hand at composing a song.

If you’re a fan of DIY projects, create a collage or work on a scrapbook that you can later show to your family and friends.

If you feel inspired to turn your wardrobe into a makeshift vision board, go ahead and do it. Let your wild ideas pour onto your creative projects.

This is a bedtime habit that you’ll love coming back to for a fun me-time.

9. Read Affirmations

Affirmations are magical words that can lift your morale, turn your downward thoughts upward, and help you nurture a positive self-image.

Say this out loud with me – “I am unique, and that’s my biggest power.”

Didn’t that feel good?

Here’s another good one – “I am in charge of my life. No matter what happens, I promise to love myself.”

These sentences seem simple at one glance, but they have the power to completely change the way you look at yourself.

If you’re ready to open yourself up to the power of you, make it a habit to read positive affirmations every night. This will make you mentally strong and resilient in the face of your daily challenges.

Check out my sweet collection of affirmations:

10. Finish A Chore

Why leave your tasks hanging for tomorrow when you can get them done today?

Before going to bed, do the dishes – it’s unhygienic to leave your dishes in the sink overnight. You sure won’t be sleeping in the kitchen, but that place deserves to stay clean at all times.

What about your laundry? I know some people prefer leaving this chore till Sunday, but you can always make an exception, especially on nights when you don’t have anything else to do.

You can also clean the bathroom – a perfect chore for people who feel anxious during the night. I’ve tried this and it helps beat the nervous jitters.

If you got any more chores that would fit in during bedtime, share them in the comment box. I wanna see what variety of ideas we can come up with here together.

Don’t miss: 5 Unproductive Habits That Are The Worst (And How To Ditch Them For Good)

11. Learn A New Language

Let’s admit it – we all secretly want to master 7 languages in this lifetime, but while that might be an unrealistic goal, you can definitely squeeze in some time to learn one new language.

German, Spanish, and French are highly popular options, but you can go for the language of a country whose culture entices you.

I watched Turkish shows throughout High School, and their language sounded so cool to my teenage ears that I had to learn it.

I take most of my Turkish lessons during the night, and while it does require the use of my mobile screen, it honestly feels like the most productive use of my little digital device.

What about you? Which language do you love enough to add to your bedtime routine? Decide, and head over to Duolingo for free lessons.

12. Read An Encyclopedia

Here’s an honest confession – I am not a fan of learning detailed things about the world. So, I never thought an encyclopedia would grace my little bookshelf.

But my brother had an abandoned encyclopedia that I picked up out of boredom, and it’s been with me ever since. I’ve barely made it through half of it (that thing is huge), but I will be finishing it for sure.

It’s no secret that reading is a healthy bedtime activity. But you can make bedtime reading more productive by going for an encyclopedia that is rich in both information and visuals.

My recommendation: Space Encylopedia

Why? Because you can never learn enough about the solar system!

There are endless mysteries surrounding our universe, and for this reason, a space encyclopedia is a perfect choice for bedtime reading.

BUY THIS visually STUNNING SPACE guide

13. Prepare For Your Morning Routine

You can make your morning routine lighter, stress-free, and more organized by preparing for it the night before.

Lay out your morning workout clothes, plan your breakfast, decide on your outfit for the day, and lay out your bath and skincare products.

I swear these little arrangements will make a big difference to your morning vibes.

You’ll find it easier to wake up on time and going through your morning rituals will become a breeze.

14. Indulge In A Hobby

Your mornings and afternoons might be reserved for your work, studies, or looking after your lovely kids, but the night is when you can pick up a hobby and use it to connect with your inner self.

Even if you spare five minutes of your bedtime for a hobby, it’ll act as a natural medicine for your rampant thoughts and make your night more productive.

That old guitar collecting dust in your basement deserves to be strummed once in a while. Just saying.

Worth reading: 12 Amazing Ideas For The Best Self-Care Night Routine

15. Have A Deep Conversation With A Friend

A deep conversation with a good friend is like therapy to your soul, and looking at my own history, I can safely say that most of these conversations happen during the night.

The soothing energy of night acts as a mind opener, bringing in fresh ideas and realizations that deserve to be shared with a friend.

Call up a friend who you share this kind of bond with, and tell them what’s on your mind.

When it comes to nighttime conversations, no topic is too bizarre, and that’s the most interesting thing about it.

16. Bedtime Journaling

I am always upgrading my coping mechanisms for stress, but journaling remains a constant. It’s a soulful activity that helps you dump your thoughts on paper and literally let go of them.

Whether you’re looking to improve your mental health or motivate yourself to be better, journaling can help you with it all.

At the end of the day, nothing is as satisfying as dumping your thoughts on paper. It’s a literal case of out of mind, out of sight.

You don’t have to journal every night but try to be as regular as you can. You’ll be amazed by how sorted you’ll feel with this productive bedtime habit under your belt.

Bookmark now: 50 Amazing Bedtime Journal Prompts For A Quiet Reflection

17. Take An Online Course

Ditch Netflix during bedtime and pick up an online course instead. It could be something related to your career or a skill that you’ve always wanted to learn.

Maybe you want to try your hand at digital marketing or hone your artistic skills. From website designing to yoga, there are a lot of valuable e-courses that you can learn from.

Do your research and get add one hour of super productivity to your bedtime routine.

Make Your Bedtime More Productive

We just went through 17 insanely productive things to do at night before bed, and I hope that was as fun for you to read as it was for me to write.

Some of you might be inclined toward the stress-busting tips like journaling, others might have loved my suggestion to wrap up a chore before going to bed.

But still, I’d love to know what your personal favorite tip was. Leave a comment behind before you go. I wish you a productive night ahead. 🙂