7 Tips for Creating a Hygge Bedtime Routine

What does your bedtime routine look like? Is it falling into bed after an exhausting day taking care of the kids? Maybe you flip through your phone or watch TV until you start to doze. Creating an effective bedtime routine is vital for a good night of rest and success the following day. Choosing even one of my 7 Tips to Create a Hygge Bedtime Routine will transform your evenings for the better. (Especially tip #5, a personal game changer). Happy sleeping!

Oh, and don’t forget to download your hygge habit tracker at @hyggefamilyprints on Etsy, link below.

1. Have a Skin Care Routine

One of the most important parts of a bedtime routine is to take five minutes to remove your makeup at the end of the day. Your skin will thank you in the days, weeks and years to come. Even if you didn’t wear makeup your skin has still absorbed all sorts of contaminants throughout the day. Washing your face before bed has been shown to reduce breakouts and wrinkles as well as gives your skin a fresh start.

This year one of my New Year’s Resolutions was to begin a skin care routine for the morning and evening. I was tried of my skin being so unpredictable. It took a few weeks of trial and error, but I finally have a solid lineup of skin care products that make me feel so relaxed at the end of the day. If you don’t have a skin care routine for the end of the day, I highly recommend making it a priority this year.

2. Take Time to Wind Down

There is always the temptation to work work work until you fall into bed in exhaustion. The truth is, that’s not the hygge way and it’s not healthy. Your body and mind need time to wind down at the end of the day. An important part of an effective bedtime routine is time. It doesn’t have to be an hour or even 30 minutes. Just know yourself. How long does it take you to wind down before bed? Prioritize that time and you will be surprised the impact it will make on the following day.

3. Don’t Wind Down with Electronics

You’ve heard it before, but I will say it again. Turn off your electronics before bed. Don’t scan through Instagram or watch Forensic Files while you fall asleep. (My family is going to disagree with that last statement, but I stand by it!) Studies have shown that using electronics before bed increases our alertness at night, which makes it difficult to truly rest. This reduction in REM sleep makes us less alert for the following day.

So, rather than pickup up your phone or turning on the TV, choose to wind down with a good old fashioned book. No, not a kindle. A real book. Or you could spend time in prayer, talk to your spouse or perhaps thinking through your schedule for tomorrow. Whatever you choose to do, make sure it relives your stress and makes you feel calm.

4. Make a List of To-Dos for the Following Day

Speaking of thinking about your schedule for the next day, an important part of an effective bedtime routine is making a list. I often lie awake at night thinking about all the things I need to accomplish tomorrow or didn’t finish today. If you have the same issue, take time before you fall asleep to write all these things down on paper. Not only does it give you a sense of relief but it also prepares you for conquering tomorrow.

5. Wear Loose and Cozy Pajamas

If you take one piece of advice from me, let it be this. Buy yourself adult, cozy pajamas. Invest in several pairs of quality pajamas and it will change your life forever. Sure, it is tempting to wear your yoga pants and hoodie to bed. Or fall asleep in the clothes you were wearing that day. But your body knows the difference. It associates work clothes with working and athletic clothes with exercise. Don’t confuse your brain. Give yourself the gift of cozy pajamas dedicated to sleep. It will be life changing. You are welcome in advance.

6. Go to Sleep at a Decent Time

An essential part of a hygge bedtime routine is going to sleep at a decent time. Know your body. Do you function at 100% with only 4 hours or do you need at least 8 to not be a bear? Whatever amount of sleep you need, make it happen. Now, depending on your responsibilities and work schedule getting the proper amount of sleep starting at a decent hour might seem impossible.

It might requite sacrifice. Do you want a good night of rest or do you want to watch another episode of the office? Can the dishes wait until morning? Getting a good night of sleep is vital to handling stress, illness, and having the energy you need to succeed. Like I said, know yourself and do your best.

7. Diffuse Calming Oils

One of my favorite parts of my bedtime routine is diffusing lavender oils. There’s something to calming and peaceful about lavender. Choose a calming scent of your own or a combination of scents to diffuse in your bedroom before you fall asleep. Don’t have an oil diffuser? You can buy or make a scented roller to put on your wrists and neck before bed. Or spray lavender on your pillow. Make your bed a calming place of hygge.

Thank you for reading the 7 Tips for a Hygge Bedtime Routine. For more tips and tricks on how to live a more simple, hygge-filled life, take a look at our latest content:

14 Day Beginner’s Guide to Living a Hygge Life
7 Tips to Create a Hygge Morning Routine
How to Live Hygge Like a Hobbit
Hygge & Holy Spirit: A 15 Day Devotion Download 

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Love Always,