8 Evening Routines With Surprising Effects on Your Ability to Get Things Done Entrepreneurs often discuss their morning routines, but it's equally essential to recognize the significance of evening routines.
By Elisette Carlson Edited by Micah Zimmerman
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
Morning routines are consistently talked about and written about, especially those of entrepreneurs, millionaires and highly successful artists and celebrities. Yet many people overlook the importance of evening routines, which can be equally important for health, wellness and finishing your day strong.
Evening routines can also help you set up and prepare for a productive day ahead. Rather than operating at full speed until five minutes before I go to sleep — meaning five minutes to wash my face and brush my teeth — I've learned that incorporating evening rituals into my daily practice has personally transformed my sleep quality, productivity and overall well-being.
Related: The 10 Best Ways to Break a Bad Habit, According to Science
We all have heard that reading before bed helps wind down and, even better, disconnect from screens, specifically mindless scrolling. In a recent 2023 survey, 57% of Americans said that they are addicted to their phones, and they spend an average of 4 hours and 25 minutes on their mobile devices each day – an increase of 30% over 2022. Much of this happens in the evening; stepping away from screens helps your mind unwind and prevents overstimulation before bed.
Alongside the obvious points above, I have included eight evening routines below that have helped me sleep better, wake up ready to go and set me up for a positive and productive tomorrow. I have also included unique routines from successful entrepreneurs who have benefited from their evening habits.
1. An after-dinner walk
While this could be tough to schedule with young kids or work responsibilities, almost anyone can prioritize a minimum of a 10-minute walk after dinner. If you have kids, bring them along with you!
An evening walk is proven to aid digestion, help regulate blood glucose levels, and reduce the risk of late-night snacking by curbing cravings. Additionally, walking in the evening helps clear your mind and provides a transition between the day's chaos and the evening's calming, promoting better sleep.
My family and I picked this tip up after a few trips to Europe, where we would walk home from dinner. We all felt better going to bed without a full stomach and enjoyed the family time. It's a healthy bonus to log those steps! So instead of reaching for the bag of chips or an extra serving of ice cream that you likely don't really need, rather it's more habit, step out for a short walk, and you may surprise yourself by staying out for a longer stroll.
Related: How to Take a Vacation Without Stressing About Work
2. Meditation or breathwork — with a PEMF mat if accessible
I am a high-energy person who revs high and does not require caffeine during the day. On the other hand, I require a "wind-down," and that's why I have meditated every single night for the last few years, specifically a sleep meditation.
While there are many sleep apps, such as Calm, Headspace and Aura, I got hooked on sleep meditations by Kristin McGee and Ross Brayburn from the Peloton app (both of whom are no longer there) and others, such as this one from Matthew McConaughey. Incorporating meditation or breathwork into your evening routine calms the nervous system, reduces stress, and improves focus.
I use the HigherDose Infrared PEMF Mat because it combines PEMF (Pulsified Electromagnetic Field) technology with infrared heat. In simple terms, this mat has red light therapy and heat, which can further enhance relaxation, reduce inflammation, soothe sore muscles and joints and promote cellular repair.
Together, these practices help create a deep sense of relaxation. If a PEMF mat is not accessible, meditation will certainly help prepare your mind and body for restful sleep.
3. An evening stretch with relaxing music
After working all day, getting kids to school and practices, preparing meals and getting back to work at night, the last thing I feel like doing is stretching before bed. But, in the evenings, I put on relaxing music and gently stretch. And I mean gently. I feel calmer, my body feels looser, and I am better prepared for bed.
A 10-15 minute stretch session with calming music helps release tension accumulated throughout the day. It also improves flexibility, reduces muscle stiffness, and calms the mind. If television is your evening, unwind, keep a yoga mat by your bed and get down on the floor or do a few stretches.
4. A hot bath or warm shower with essential oils
Another ritual I never did because I was "too busy" or still working is to take a hot bath or shower. Sound indulgent? Yes, but again, it's 10-15 minutes that many of us tend to spend watching mindless television, scrolling social media or responding to emails or texts that can wait until tomorrow.
Sleep is integral to health and productivity, and taking a hot bath or shower before bed will relax your muscles and soothe your mind. The warm water eases tension and promotes better circulation. Adding essential oils like lavender or eucalyptus can enhance the experience, providing aromatherapy benefits that can improve mood and help you sleep more deeply.
Even better, as some of our best ideas come to us in the shower, you may come up with a lightbulb moment or solution when your mind is calm in the bath.
5. Preparing for the next day
My dad always loved the saying, "Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance," and I look to apply this to most aspects of work and life. Every little thing you can do in the evening to prepare for the next day will make your mornings less chaotic and enable you to better "own your morning," which is one of my fundamental productivity tips.
Whether it's making kids' lunches, laying out workout clothes, writing out your schedule for tomorrow or setting up breakfast, these tasks reduce morning stress and decision fatigue. I even have my pre-workout sports nutrition laid out and sleep in my sports bra so I can just get up and go!
Preparing the night before helps ensure a smoother, more organized start to your day, giving you a sense of control and readiness.
6. Evening gratitude practice
Before I close my eyes at night, I ask my husband and my kids, "What are 3 things you are grateful for today?" I have done this for years, and it's incredible how a healthy gratitude practice helps shift your focus to positive aspects of your life, fostering a sense of contentment and peace before bed.
There is a science to explain how gratitude can help improve mental health, improve relationships and encourage more happiness. Recite gratitude to yourself, your family, or your journal, and you'll realize that there is still so much to be grateful for, even during tough days.
For example, simply waking up in good health, enjoying a nice cup of coffee or meal or receiving a phone call or text from a friend or family member. Rather than complaining about chores such as laundry, be grateful that you have clothes, dishes, and a roof over your head. Tomorrow will likely be a better day.
Gratitude and adjusting mindset help you reflect on and review your accomplishments that day. It's also okay to reflect on challenges and how you can process and learn from them. Gratitude and reflection help bring closure to the day, resulting in a calmer mind before sleep.
Related: Why Gratitude Makes Leaders More Effective
7. Evening turmeric tea or golden milk
I swear by turmeric lattes and golden milk before bed, as do many health and wellness experts, doctors and entrepreneurs. Turmeric and curcumin have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and are great for joint mobility.
I take it before bed because it's delicious, decaffeinated and a warming evening treat. Harvard-educated and 4x New York Times Best-Selling Author and medical doctor with over 25 years of experience, Dr. Sara Gottfried, MD, enjoys evening turmeric lattes as one of her evening routines. She also encourages her patients to try it for gut and hormone health. Her unique recipe here.
8. Quality time with your partner
I could take this in many directions, but I'll focus on how many successful entrepreneurs love to wind down with their partners while watching Netflix or other movies. If this works for you, go for it! It's a way to unwind, laugh, hold hands and spend time with your partner — that's wealth in itself.
William Hicks, founder of the rapidly growing mental performance shot Magic Mind, winds down with funny reality television with his wife. Hicks says it helps him decompress and take his mind away from work, helping him ease into better sleep. Hicks also keeps a notebook by his bed, and if he has any work thoughts before television or even right before he falls asleep, he writes them down so they aren't on his mind in the middle of the night.
While the early birds may get the worm by making the most of their mornings, some of these evening routines should help you create a foundation for better physical, mental, and emotional health, making your mornings more productive and fulfilling. Try one or a few out, and I hope it helps lead you to a better tomorrow.
