How do you finish your days? How we end the day is as important as how we start it. The more cues we can give ourselves to slip into more positive and peaceful mindsets before bed, the better our days will be. 

The connection between rest and fulfilling waking hours is strong. Give yourself the best chance to get the most out of where you are right now. 

The importance of a night routine

Routines can mean the difference between a successful day and a disappointing day, and a good day starts the night before, and evening and night routines that set us up for success look different for everyone.

If we want to start the morning with a positive attitude, the best way is to end the day with a ritual when we go to bed.

My personal routine is two-fold: First, I sit in bed and do some breathing exercises. One of my favorites is one I learned from Dr. Andrew Weil, which is the 4-7-8 breathing cycles. We breathe in four by the nose, we hold for seven, and we release by the mouth counting at eight, and we repeat that four times. 

I’ve noticed an improvement in not only how quickly I fall asleep, but also how positive I am in the morning. 

My second short ritual is to read a specific quote: 

“Finish every day and be done with it… You have done what you could; some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. To-morrow is a new day; you shall begin it well and serenely, and with too high a spirit to be cumbered with your old nonsense.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson. 

This quote was taken from a note to his daughter, encouraging her to face each day with a positive attitude.

Though penned in 1854, the wisdom of this quote is timeless, and I’m grateful for it each night. 

Experiment to find what works for you

These are only two examples of evening rituals that have worked for me. There are countless ways to build an evening routine that suits your unique situation.

Journaling is a classic, but it could also be as simple as a nice epson-salt bath or reading.

Teas and some stretching can also do wonders for a better night's sleep and finishing the day strong.

Let yourself experiment with different versions until you find the right fit—there’s no one right way to build a ritual as long as it brings you peace and sets you up for a great day.

What do you do to wind down in the evenings? Do you have an evening ritual?

Feel free to check out my full episode for further insights on evening rituals!