A 10-Minute Evening Self-Care Routine to Help You Wind Down

For years, my evenings ended the same way: in bed, phone in hand, scrolling until my eyes burned. I'd fall asleep with my makeup on and wake up feeling like I hadn't rested at all.

What changed things was a short evening self-care routine. Ten minutes, the same steps every night, that told my body the day was over. It isn't fancy, and that's why it works. Here's the routine I follow, step by step.

Before You Start: Pick Your Time

The best time for your routine is before you're exhausted. I start mine right after the kitchen is clean, around 8:30. If you wait until you're falling asleep, you'll skip it.

Set a gentle alarm on your phone labeled "wind down." When it goes off, the routine begins.

Minutes 1 to 3: Wash the Day Away

Start at the sink. Washing your face is a physical way to mark the end of the day.

• Use lukewarm water and a gentle cleanser.
• Massage in small circles for about 30 seconds, and take a slow breath while you do.
• Rinse well and pat dry.

Removing sunscreen and makeup also gives your skin a clean start for the night. If you wear eye makeup, take it off gently first with a soft cloth, so you're not tugging at the delicate skin around your eyes.

Minutes 4 to 5: Moisturize With Intention

While your face is still a little damp, apply your moisturizer. Then do the same for your hands, and anywhere else that feels dry.

Slow down here. Press the moisturizer in with your fingertips rather than rubbing quickly. Notice the scent and texture. This is your evening self-care routine, not another chore to rush through.

Minutes 6 to 7: Set Tomorrow Down

Much of what keeps us awake is tomorrow's to-do list running through our heads. Give it somewhere to go.

• Write down three things you need to do tomorrow.
• Lay out anything you'll need in the morning.
• Close the notebook. Those tasks will be there when you wake up.

It sounds too simple, but writing things down tells your brain it doesn't need to keep reminding you. Many nights, this one step is what lets me fall asleep.

Minutes 8 to 9: Breathe and Be Grateful

Sit on the edge of your bed or in a comfortable chair.

1. Breathe in slowly through your nose for a count of four.
2. Hold gently for a count of four.
3. Breathe out through your mouth for a count of six.
4. Repeat five times.

Then name three things you're grateful for today. They can be small: a good cup of coffee, a call from a friend, a kind word. If you pray, this is a lovely time for it.

Minute 10: Lights Down, Phone Away

Dim the lights and put your phone on the charger, ideally across the room. If you like to read before sleep, choose a paper book.

Make Your Evening Self-Care Routine Your Own

This routine is a starting point. Swap in what helps you relax:

• A cup of caffeine-free herbal tea
• Five minutes of gentle stretching
• Soft music or a favorite worship song
• A warm shower instead of a quick face wash
• A few pages of a devotional or a good novel

The goal is a routine you look forward to. When you look forward to it, you'll keep doing it. If trouble sleeping continues for weeks, talk with your doctor.

On Hard Nights

Some evenings you'll be too tired for all ten minutes. That's fine. On those nights, do the short version: wash your face, moisturize, and put your phone across the room. Two minutes still counts.

The point isn't to be perfect. The point is to come back to it the next night, and the night after that. Over time, your body learns that these small steps mean rest is coming, and falling asleep gets easier.

How I Use It

Other Products I Recommend

• For darker, deeper rest: a soft silk sleep mask that blocks light without pressing on your eyes.

I give myself permission to rest.

Your Next Step

Try this routine for seven nights and notice how you feel in the mornings. The free 7-Day Glow Routine Checklist gives you a simple way to track it.

More to read: Water, Sleep, Skin: Healthy Habits for Glowing Skin and The Simple 3-Step Skincare Routine for Women Over 40.