My Nighttime Routine: A Relaxing Wind-Down Ritual

Welcome back, Happy Army

Last time we talked about my morning ritual, so now we gotta talk about my nighttime ritual!

Morning routines, honestly, take a little more effort out of me. Which makes sense, right? Waking up just takes more energy.

But my nighttime routine? That’s something I actually look forward to. It’s my time to relax after a long day of working and running around — a chance to reflect and reset for a fresh start tomorrow.

And that feeling of going to bed knowing I did everything I needed to take care of myself? So satisfying.

Now, do I follow my night routine every single night? Honestly… no. I skip it way more often than I’d like to admit — not because I don’t enjoy it, but because I’m just so tired after a long day.

But on the nights I actually stick to it? I feel so accomplished, so calm, and I genuinely wake up feeling incredible the next day.

Plus, my night routine actually makes it easier to want to stick to my morning routine. Win-win.

So now that I’ve gone on about how much I love my night routine, let’s get into what I actually do! In this blog post, we're gonna deep dive into:

• Why you need a night routine

• The right bed-time for your body

• My night step-by-step

• Links to all my night routine little helpers!

Ok, you ready? This is my night routine! It’s nothing fancy, but it makes all the difference.

DISCLOSURE: THIS POSE MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS, MEANING I GET A COMMISSION IF YOU DECIDE TO MAKE A PURCHASE THROUGH MY LINKS, AT NO COST TO YOU. PLEASE READ MY TERMS OF USE POLICY FOR MORE INFO.

I also have a post on my morning ritual as well! If you're curious to check that out, click right here! And if you're ready to create your own healthy morning and night rituals, I recommend my post on How to Create Your Perfect Morning and Night Routine!

Why Night Routines Matter

I insist on routines everywhere I go, as you’ve probably noticed by now. Nighttime is no exception. And yes, I do have my reasons.

For starters: a night routine = better sleep.

I’m not the only one who just wants to plop into bed after a long day of work—but when we do that, we bring our stress with us. A relaxing night routine helps us:

• reduce stress by giving us time to decompress

• create positive associations with our resting space

• maintain a healthy sleep cycle

All of which help us fall asleep faster and sleep more deeply, so we wake up feeling refreshed.

But how do you convince the most exhausted version of yourself to do a 12-step bedtime ritual when you’re half-asleep?

Trick question: you can’t.

That’s why we need routines. They give us structure when everything else feels up in the air. When done right, routines don’t just keep you organized—they help you build habits that stick, boost your energy, and make you feel like you’ve got this whole “adulting” thing down.

Taking care of yourself shouldn’t require extra brain power. You deserve to relax—and let your healthy habits run on autopilot.

Any kind of ritual is just a series of habits- and we all know how hard habits are to create! It took me 5 years just to get some of my night routine habits down. The Fabulous app, though, saved me 2 whole years of workshopping my routines! It's like a best friend that holds you accountable while lifting you up at the same time! They use science-backed behavioral economics to help build up habits gradually rather than expecting perfection from the get-go! This app really did change my life, and I think it can do the same for you! So please, do yourself a favor—click the link and check it out!

The Right Bedtime for Your Body Type

As you all know by now, I love Ayurveda. I truly believe that if we aligned our lifestyles with our individual body types, we’d all be 10x healthier.

Ayurveda offers such an in-depth understanding of what each body type needs—from wake-up time, to food choices, to exercise styles, and yes, even bedtime.

For Vata body types, going to sleep between 9:30–10:00 p.m. helps ground their super active minds and bodies, allowing for truly restful sleep.

Pitta body types should aim to be asleep by 10:00–10:30 p.m.—especially since the Pitta time of night kicks in again around 10:00 p.m., which can lead to that infamous “second wind” of energy. Sleeping before that helps prevent burnout and supports deeper, more restorative rest.

Kapha body types benefit from going to bed a little earlier, around 9:00–9:30 p.m. Since Kaphas already have a lot of grounding earth energy, they tend to need more sleep than the other types. Sleeping a bit earlier keeps them light, refreshed, and energized the next day.

I go to bed at 9:30pm because my body is predominately Vata, but if you want to know what time would be best for you to wake up, check out my post on Identifying Your Ayurvedic Dosha here!

My Night Step-by-Step

1. Removing Makeup: Saying Goodbye to the Day

First things first: I take off my makeup. I really try to never sleep with it on—it’s a big no-no!

Sleeping with makeup clogs pores, causes breakouts, and can even lead to irritation or infections, the list goes on.

But honestly, there’s something so satisfying about wiping away the day—literally. It feels like shedding all the layers I’ve carried around and stepping into my natural, relaxed self. A fresh face is my signal that it’s time to slow down and unwind.

I used to rely on makeup wipes, but they always felt a bit too rough on my skin. Now, I use oil instead, and it works so much better—honestly, better than the wipes ever did.

Personally, I use sesame oil since it’s recommended for Vata body types in Ayurveda, but really, any oil you have in the kitchen will do the trick!

2. Shower and Brushing Teeth: A Clean Slate

Next up is a warm shower. It’s my mini spa moment where I can wash off not just the dirt and sweat but also the stress that’s built up.

I also love using a nice sugar scrub at this time to give my skin a deeper cleanse. Brushing my teeth right after is the cherry on top—nothing beats that clean, fresh feeling before bed!

Now flossing.

I won't lie to you: I didn't use to floss. I just never learned how to properly floss, and whenever I tried, I kept cutting my gums! It was so painful and I truly didn't know what I was doing.

That's when I started using this AquaSonic Water Flosser. It's so easy to use, super effective (more effective than actually flossing), and it cuts the flossing time by 70%!

I just quickly use it in the shower for about 2 minutes, and I am good to go! I love it, and so will you. I guarantee it! Click the link to get your own, and thank me later!

3. Oil Massage: A Little Love for Myself

Before slipping into my comfiest PJs, I treat myself to a quick oil massage—and let me tell you, it’s a total game-changer, especially after using a sugar scrub!

My skin gets the nourishment it craves (the next day, it’s so soft and hydrated—it’s amazing), my muscles completely relax, and since I use sesame oil, it warms up my perpetually cold body. Bliss!

If you're curious to know what kind of oil would be best for you, we first need to figure out your dosha. Check out my post on Identifying Your Ayurvedic Dosha here!

4. Braiding My Hair: Tidy and Tangle-Free

Braiding my hair might not sound exciting, but it’s one of those little things that makes a big difference. It keeps my hair neat, prevents tangles, and honestly, the process itself is kind of calming. It’s like I’m weaving a little peace into my night. I try to use silk scrunchies since it's better for my hair.

5. Picking Out Clothes for Tomorrow: Making Mornings Easier

This step is all about setting my future self up for success. I choose my outfit for the next day and give it a quick iron if needed.

This goes for my yoga clothes as well, by the way! When I leave out my yoga clothes at night, it motivates me to get on my mat as soon as I wake up!

It’s a small thing, but knowing I don’t have to stress about it in the morning makes a huge difference. Plus, it saves me so much time in the morning!

Just so you guys know, I can’t iron my clothes to save my life. For some reason, I just can’t figure it out! So, to save myself from the struggle (and the wrinkles), I got a clothes steamer.

Let me tell you, it’s been a total game-changer! Not only does it smooth out wrinkles effortlessly, but it also gets rid of dust, germs, and pretty much anything else lurking in your clothes.

Seriously, I highly recommend it! This steamer is my everything.

6. Soaking Almonds: A Healthy Habit in the Making

I know this one’s a little random, but I always soak a handful of almonds for the next day. It’s a simple health hack that makes them easier to digest and gives me a head start on my morning nutrition.

I usually add them into my breakfast oatmeal, or I just eat them throughout the morning.

7. Budget Check: Keeping My Finances in Check

Before I fully wind down, I spend a few minutes looking over my budget. Nothing intense—just a quick check to make sure I’m on track.

Technology makes it too easy for us to spend way too much money, so I like to be able to monitor how I did with budgeting throughout the day.

It helps me feel organized and in control, which is a surprisingly great feeling to end the day on.

8. Journaling: Letting It All Out

I grab my journal and jot down a few thoughts about the day—what went well, what didn’t, and anything I need to let go of before bed. It’s like clearing out mental clutter so my mind can truly rest.

Being a very work-driven person, I tend to measure how good a day was by how much I accomplished.

If it was a productive day, I like to reflect on what set me up for success and think about how I can replicate that. On the flip side, if the day didn’t go as planned, I look for lessons or patterns I can learn from.

If you ever feel stuck on what to write, the Fabulous app has some incredible prompts I’d highly recommend. The prompts are tailored to where you are in your Fabulous journey, so you can track your progress and watch yourself adapt and evolve into the best version of yourself. I genuinely use this app every single day, so I know you are going to love it! Click the link and give it a try!

9. Reading: Escaping into a Good Book

Finally, I cozy up with a book. Whether it’s fiction or nonfiction (usually something inspiring), reading helps me unwind and gently slows my brain down. It’s my favorite way to drift closer to sleep.

10. Fitbit for Sleep Tracking: A Little Accountability

Before I close my eyes, I slip on my Fitbit to track my sleep. It’s nice to see how well I’m resting and make adjustments if needed. It’s a small way of staying mindful about prioritizing sleep.

Wrapping It Up

Lastly, I usually put on a guided meditation so that I can drift off to sleep. If my brain is running at 200 miles per hour, I'll put on a sleep story, but usually I listen to a manifestation meditation off YouTube.

And that's really it!

Each step of my night routine is intentional, from the nighttime shower to my Fitbit tracking. They're all great on their own, but the real magic happens when all of them are put together.

These practices form a ritual that isn’t just about ending my day—it’s about reconnecting with myself and my purpose.

By creating a night routine that honors your mind, body, and soul, you can have a night filled with relaxation, calm, and connection.  

I'd be lying if I said I created this routine by myself with my own willpower. I utilized everything the Fabulous app gave me in order for me to get to the point I'm at now. This app really helps build consistency and makes it easy to create healthy habits—even the ones that take the most effort! Try it out, and I guarantee you’ll be on your way to living your best life in no time! If it worked for me, it can work for you!

That's it for now! Sending positive vibes your way, and happy exploring!