I know I’m not the only one who scrolls through countless TikToks of “5 to 9 before my 9 to 5” or “winddown rituals” that seem…flawless. These wellness girlies seem to do a million things before the sun comes up and never have an accidental Netflix binge that lasts until long after their bedtime. The aspirational morning and nighttime routine content can get overwhelming, and I often find myself wondering if I’m supposed to do all of that to care for myself at the beginning or end of my day.
The simple answer is no. A morning and night routine should cater to what makes you feel good, not a checklist you see on social media. That’s what’s so great about your routine; it’s yours. Starting and ending your day intentionally can be the most powerful practice to level up your life. The first 30 minutes of your day sets up your mood, energy, and motivation for the rest of the day, and the last 30 minutes ensures you’re rested and rejuvenated for the next day. On a recent episode of The Everygirl Podcast, Sarah Nicole Landry, the founder of The Bird’s Papaya, called this “bookending your day with you.” If you can start and end your day doing something for you, it can transform your life. Not sure how to craft a morning or night routine for you? We’ve got some ideas to get you started.
Build your morning routine:
The goal of your morning routine is to set up your day for success, but you also want to include something worth getting out of bed for. Maybe that 5 a.m. alarm clock, HIIT workout, and green juice on TikTok look nice, but wouldn’t actually feel good to you. Below are six ideas, but the important part is to tailor them to whatever feels best for you. Do all of them every morning, try out one each day, or pick and choose what calls to you.
Prep your skin for the day
As simple as it is, splashing water on your face helps wake you up and improves your focus. If you have time to go through a longer skincare routine in the morning, it’s a great way to follow a set routine every day with serum, moisturizer, and an SPF. Have an extra 10 minutes? Indulge in a face mask or some lymphatic drainage massage to pamper yourself and have a moment of calm before the craziness of the day. Whether you’ve just splashed cold water or you have a 10-step routine, don’t forget to top it all off with SPF before you head out the door.
Indulge in a morning beverage (and hydrate)
Between bulletproof coffee, matcha lattes, fancy water, or kombucha, the options are endless. Whether or not you’re the type of person who relies on caffeine to get going, find a drink you love and perfect that drink (i.e. learn the art of matcha, invest in nicer coffee beans, etc.). Also, you already know that hydrating first thing in the morning is important so might as well romanticize your morning water too. Add lemon, cucumber, and berries, or a little Himalayan salt for electrolytes.
Give yourself some buffer time
Take some extra time in the morning to wake up with the sole purpose of finding some peace and calmness before the day starts. Whether you have an extra 60 seconds or 30 minutes, allow yourself the time to write out your tasks for the day, read a couple of pages from a book, unload the dishwasher, or take a few breaths to calm yourself down.
Plan out a nutrient-dense breakfast
We know it’s hard to make time for breakfast, but skipping a meal in the morning can lead to low energy levels later in the day (and possibly wreak havoc on your hormones). Try planning and prepping your breakfast the night before if you have a tough morning (such as overnight oats) or schedule time into your morning to DIY some avocado toast or a breakfast sandwich you can take on the go if needed.
Get moving
Moving the body helps you fully wake up and get energized for your day. If you can’t fit in a full workout, a 10-minute walk or going through a few yoga poses is guaranteed to start your day off right. Even stretching for 30 seconds can help the body wake up and feel refreshed.
Pick a morning affirmation
Often overlooked, this one might be the easiest to incorporate. When you’re brushing your teeth or putting on your makeup, don’t forget to affirm some positive energy into your day. Pick an intention for the day or think of how you want to feel, and then remind yourself of that intention throughout the day.
Build your nighttime routine:
No surprise, your night routine should be the opposite of your morning routine. The goal here is to wind down but be specific about exactly what you need. But the same guidelines apply: If you want to use these ideas below as a checklist for your nightly routine, go for it. But if you feel pinched for time, exhausted, or want to spend your night catching up on The Bachelor (because that’s fine too!), choose one or use these as inspiration to spend the last moments of your day for you.
Prep your skin for the night
Ditch the daytime gels for thicker creams or overnight serums and focus on areas you’d like to pay attention to more. If you’ve got dry skin, opt for a moisture mask, or use an exfoliant like retinol or AHAs if your goal is anti-aging or a brighter complexion. Have a few extra moments? DIY a quick spa at home by diffusing essential oils and applying your favorite mask or treatment for ultimate relaxation.
Prep for the next morning
Sometimes the best way to spend your evenings is to set up your mornings for success. Set out your outfit for the next day the night before, wash your favorite mug, or tidy up your workspace. Also, try to take care of an easy task you’d otherwise have to do the next day: Wash the pot you set in the sink to “soak” or craft an email you’ve been meaning to send. It allows you to cross something off your to-do list you may have been avoiding which will free some lingering stress. Your future self will thank you.
Have something that makes you sleepy
No matter what helps you fall asleep, find a go-to ritual and stick to it. For me, nothing screams “it’s time to sleep” more than diffusing oil or turning on a humidifier—something about the hum of a gentle eucalyptus or lavender-scented steam creates a relaxing environment to get a great night’s sleep. You can also try reading a book, doing a meditation, making a sleepy girl mocktail, or taking a bath—whatever helps you get sleepy.
Put away the screens
PSA: The blue light from screens could be disrupting your sleep (not to mention how much stress you feel right before bed if you’re finishing work or the FOMO you feel if you’re scrolling through Instagram). Try reading before bed instead of using your screens until you’re ready to turn off the lights.
Practices to add to either routine:
There’s bound to be some overlap between your morning and evening routines. Below are practices that can be beneficial any time of day, and can either help increase calm energy or help you relax and fall asleep, depending on your intentions and what works for you. Play with your scheduling and find what feels best: Does each ritual feel best as an energizer (at the beginning of your day), as a relaxer (at the end of your day), or maybe even both?
Take a shower
When you shower, you have no other responsibilities except for literally showering—it more than just cleans your body; it can also help clean your mind. A shot of cold water in the morning can drastically energize you while calming your nervous system, setting you up for a boosted mood throughout the day. But a warm shower at night (especially an everything shower) can help you relax in the evening. Either way, the goal is to focus on nothing but being present with yourself and taking a moment for you.
Journal
One of the best takeaways from journaling is being able to look back at different points of your life and see what kind of space you’re in and how you’ve grown. Journaling is a great practice to incorporate into your daily routine and works at any time of day. For the morning, we like manifestation journaling to help you feel motivated for your day. Before bed, try gratitude journaling or self-love journaling to feel at peace and relaxed.
Meditate
Need to calm down for a relaxing sleep or get motivated for a busy day? A meditation is always the answer. If you have more time, try a longer, self-focused meditation before bed or an early-morning flow to get you in the right mindset.
Stretching
Stretching in both the morning and night is my favorite part of the day. It allows me to take some time with not only my body but my mind as well. In the morning, stretching is good for waking up the body, but in the evenings, stretching can help the body release tension from the day. Try it at any point to find out what works best for you.
