How to Decompress and Relax Before Bed

Because a good night’s sleep starts with a bedtime routine.

I have a semi-strict rule: at 9:00pm I stop watching Netflix, scrolling through Instagram and I ignore text messages. My friends know that if you text me after 9:30, there’s a pretty good chance I’ll already be asleep. Of course, like any normal person, I slip up from time to time and end up cuddling my phone while I fall asleep to the gentle dirty jokes of Barney Stinson. This routine of mine may make you yawn and wonder about my age, but it helps me de-stress and sleep much better — something we all need.

First thing’s first: comfy PJ’s. I get into my actual PJ’s an hour before bed. Why? Because it sets the tone for my mind to start relaxing and that this isn’t just sweat pants and a t-shirt (standard dress while at home), hanging on the couch. It’s time for sleep.

Unless I’m winding down with some sort of healthy snack, the second order of business is to start my night-time beauty routine: make-up removal/cleansing of the face, eye cream, face cream, neck cream (which is all the same — my dandelion balm), brush those gleaming pearls, and if it hasn’t already happened, glasses on. What’s a better feeling than taking out your contacts at the end of the day?