How To Create An Evening Routine – 10 Things To Do After 5 PM

Routines make life feel steady and balanced.

When you repeat simple habits at the same time each day, you build discipline and a stronger sense of control.

If you’ve been following my blog, you already know how much I love talking about morning routines.

But the truth is, my love for structure started with my evenings. I’ve always leaned on evening habits, and I still do today.

Without an evening routine, I’d carry all my stress straight into bed and toss around like I was running from a fire.

I know adding another routine after a long day sounds tiring. But it’s actually the best way to separate work from personal time and let your mind breathe.

Even the hours after 6 p.m. can be powerful. They give you space for self-care, unwinding, and preparing for restful sleep.

That’s why I want to share an 8-step evening routine that helps me slow down and find peace before bed.

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Related Article: 5 New Habits To Start This Month

1. Put the phone away early

My phone used to be the last thing I saw at night.
Scrolling through social media or answering emails kept my mind buzzing long after I turned off the lights.
Now I make it a rule to put my phone down at least an hour before bed.
I leave it in another room or switch it to “Do Not Disturb.”
This simple change made a huge difference in how quickly I fall asleep and how rested I feel when I wake up.

2. Tidy up just a little

I don’t do a deep clean every night.
But I spend about 10 minutes putting things back in their place.
I wash the dishes, clear the counters, and fold the blanket on the couch.
Waking up to a neat space makes mornings so much easier.
It feels like a small gift to myself, and it helps me start the day without extra stress.

3. Take a warm shower or bath

This became one of my favorite evening rituals.
A warm shower helps me wash away the day, both physically and mentally.
Sometimes I even light a candle or use calming body wash to make it feel special.
It doesn’t have to take long, but it signals to my body that it’s time to relax.
It also helps me sleep better because the drop in body temperature after a warm shower makes me feel drowsy.

4. Prep for tomorrow

I used to waste so much time in the mornings searching for clothes or packing my bag in a rush.
Now I set aside a few minutes at night to prepare.
I lay out what I’ll wear, pack my lunch, and write down anything important I need to remember.
This habit saves me time and energy, and it makes mornings far less chaotic.

5. Keep the lights soft

Bright lights at night used to trick my brain into thinking it was still daytime.
So I switched to softer lighting in the evenings.
I use lamps instead of overhead lights and sometimes light a candle.
The dim light helps my body wind down naturally.
It’s a small change, but it makes my evenings feel peaceful.

6. Write down the day

My head used to spin with everything I didn’t get done.
So I started writing things down before bed.
Sometimes I jot down what I accomplished, sometimes it’s just a few thoughts or feelings from the day.
This simple practice clears my mind and helps me let go of lingering stress.
It doesn’t have to be a full journal entry—even a few sentences make a big difference.

7. Read something light

Instead of staring at screens, I pick up a book.
It doesn’t have to be long or complicated.
Even 10 to 15 minutes of reading helps me shift into a calmer state of mind.
I usually choose something uplifting or light, nothing too heavy or stressful.
It’s one of the easiest and most enjoyable parts of my evening routine.

8. Stretch or practice gentle movement

I never realized how tense my body was until I started stretching at night.
A few minutes of simple stretches helps me release that tension.
Sometimes I do a quick yoga flow, and sometimes I just focus on loosening my shoulders and back.
It makes my body feel lighter and more relaxed before bed.
I also notice I don’t wake up as stiff in the morning.

9. Create a bedtime ritual

I used to fall asleep with the TV on, but now I have a small ritual that tells my body it’s time for rest.
I brush my teeth, wash my face, and put on comfy pajamas.
Then I might sip a cup of herbal tea or sit quietly for a few minutes.
Repeating these steps each night sends a clear signal: the day is done, and it’s time to sleep.

10. Go to bed at the same time

This was the hardest habit for me, but it made the biggest difference.
I used to go to bed at random hours, depending on how busy I was or what show I was watching.
Now I aim for the same bedtime every night, even on weekends.
It keeps my sleep schedule steady and makes waking up so much easier.
My body adjusted quickly, and now I feel tired at the same time every night, which helps me fall asleep faster.