Six evening activities to help you wind down at night
Go for an after dinner walk. Exercise, blood sugar management and evening routine all in one! Going for a walk for even just 5-10 minutes after you eat helps keep blood sugar levels stable. You can use this time to catch up with a friend, listen to a podcast, or just decompress from the day with the sounds of nature all around you. You might even catch the sunset on your walk, which leads me to my next point…
Watch the sunset. This can help keep your circadian rhythm in sync, particularly if you are getting morning sunlight when you wake up. Viewing the sunset if you did not see morning light may actually extend your waking response. So, get your morning light and evening light to trigger proper circadian function and fall asleep more easily at night.
Read a good book. This goes without saying, but you’re a lot more likely to keep reading a book that you are interested in and entertained by. As an evening wind down alternative to screen entertainment, I love an easy, fun read. I love nonfiction reads too, but I tend to keep those to morning or day time when I have more brain power to comprehend what I’m reading. Try not to stay up too late reading your exciting book!
Have a cup of tea. Nothing says “time to wind down” better than a cozy cup of tea. Bonus points if you have chamomile or another tea that promotes sleep like valerian or passionflower.
Have a spa night. My favorite spa night activities include gua sha, dry brushing, epsom salt baths or foot baths, self-massage, using body oils with a body scraper and face masks. Many of these activities support your lymphatic drainage system, too! Light a candle, play some relaxing sounds like 432hz and set the right vibe for your spa night. This spa night can be as small as one thing on the list, or you can really take it as far as you’d like and do as many spa activities as your heart desires!
Keep your hands busy with crafts. I have been known to watch TV while simultaneously scrolling on my phone, which really pulls me out of the present moment and overloads my nervous system. To remedy this mindless scrolling habit, I have been using embroidery to keep my hands busy while chatting with family members, listening to music or watching TV. Embroidery has been a favorite of mine since it is so easy to store and take with me to sit outside, too!
