Maintaining our mental and physical health through self care is a constant and essential work. In this blog post, I’m going to share with you the ultimate guide on how to practice a night of self care. After following this guide, you’ll feel refreshed and rebalanced, ready to take on the days ahead.
This blog post may contain affiliate links and I may earn a small commission if you purchase from these links at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support, I hope you enjoy the read!
For some people, practicing self care may already be implemented into their weekly routine. However, others may require constant reminders to put themselves first for the betterment of their own well being. As well as those around them.
Personally, if I don’t have at least one night of this self care routine a week, I feel off. Taking a night that is just for me in order to recharge and spend time with myself has become essential to my mental health. This isn’t something to feel guilty about either. Over the years we’ve lived together, I’ve taught my fiancé to also do the same thing. When either of us feels in need of a night to ourselves, we simply let the other know and respect that space.
So let’s get started. Below is the ultimate guide on how to practice a night of self care.
1. Unplug and let this night be just for you
Now is the time to focus on yourself and unplug from all of those around you. Practicing self care also means practicing self control. Being able to have your phone turned on and by your side without having to check it every few minutes is unbelievably important in finding that balance.
This might take practice, but you’ll get there. Letting this time be completely and solely for you is the purpose of this routine. So skip the stories, skip the endless scrolling and let your thoughts be unaffected and interrupted. You will eventually get to a place where you are comfortable to be alone, that is the goal.
2. Make your bedroom clean and cozy
Time to create a space worth relaxing in. Start off by making your bed and cleaning up the rest of the space. If you’re going to be spending this time in your bedroom, then make it a space that embodies relaxation. Trying to relax on a bed that is unwashed with a pile of laundry beside you is only going to make you feel overwhelmed and claustrophobic.
Once your sheets are clean and your space is cleared then you’ve set the stage for the rest of this routine. Feel free to open up a window, light a candle, and dim those lights to make it even more cozy.
3. Pamper yourself with an at-home spa routine
There is no better way to recharge and give yourself total relaxation than a complete pamper routine. If you would like the absolute best guide to an at-home spa night then check out my blog post here. I give you all the must-have products as well as a step-by-step guide to the perfect pamper routine.
Remember, you’ve given yourself the whole night off. So there is no reason to rush through this routine. Allow yourself to savour each moment and step of this self care routine. After all, knowing how to practice a night of self care is all about giving yourself the patience and time you deserve.
4. Put on your favourite pj’s
Just because you’re spending the night to yourself doesn’t mean you can’t look and feel cute. If I’m being honest, my favourite time to put on my cute pjs is usually when I’m by myself.. (hoping my fiancé just skims through this part). There really just is something about feeling refreshed and cute completely for yourself that hits different.
We all have that one set of pj’s that is our absolute favourite. The one that we refuse to overwear because they no longer sell it and you don’t even want to imagine the day they give out on you. Whatever type of set it is, wherever you purchased them from, that is the set you are wearing tonight.
5. Make yourself dinner
Making yourself a dish that is indulgent yet home made is one of the best self care practices in my opinion. This is the time when you get to have fun with a new recipe or just make something up as you go. Being adventurous while trusting the process is one of the best ways to have fun with yourself. This is what makes cooking therapeutic for so many people.
If you’re not necessarily a fan of cooking, or its just one of those nights, then feel free to order in instead. We all have those nights and in the end it’s all about balance. However, I do think knowing how to cook at least one delicious meal is an important quality for everyone to have. And what a better time to experiment when no one is around to disappoint?
6. Tidy up so you can wake up the next day to no chores
Like I said earlier, there is no better feeling than relaxing in a clean and tidy space. Making sure the rest of your house is clutter free is only going to make the rest of this routine that much better. Also, getting to wake up the next morning to a clean house is only going to prolong that feeling of total relaxation.
There’s no need to do a total deep clean tonight. Just make sure the dishes are done and put away and that the rest of the house relatively picked up. Trust me, after this is done you’ll let out a sigh of relief and thank yourself for doing it.
7. Put on a guilty pleasure movie
Now that you’re all alone, there’s no one to stop you from watching exactly what you want to watch. Whether this means watching that same romantic comedy for the umpteenth time, or watching that awful horror movie that everyone else refuses to take part in. Take this time to put on exactly what you want and not worry about what anyone has to say, including movie critics.
8. Treat yourself to dessert and a warm drink
Remember when I said cleaning up will only make the rest of this routine that much better? This is the moment I was talking about. It’s time to cuddle up on the couch or in that cozy bed and enjoy the rest of your night with zero distractions or worries.
Enjoy that guilty pleasure movie with a delicious dessert and a nice warm drink. Want to make this even better? Pick up a freshly made dessert from your local market before you get home and have your own special treat waiting for you.
9. Unwind in bed with a good book
Now that we’ve fulfilled our movie and snack needs, it’s time to unwind and let our mind drift away to a good book. If you’ve been spending your time in the living room, its time to switch up your environment and head to that clean and cozy bedroom of yours.
Climb into those clean sheets and crack open whatever your choice of reading might be at the moment. Personally, I’m for mystery thrillers all the way. My current favourite is The Wife Who Knew Too Much by Michele Campbell . This one is a Summer Thriller but is a page-turner regardless of the time of year. If you’ve ever read Gone Girl or The Girl on the Train, you’ll also enjoy this read!
10. Go to sleep early
One of the best self care habits you can incorporate into your daily routine is a proper sleep schedule. By now, you’ll be more than ready to lay your head down and close your eyes to a night of deep and well-deserved sleep. By going to sleep early, you’re going to give yourself a much more restful sleep. This is going to let you wake up in the morning feeling refreshed and ready to take on the brand new day.
Want to make your sleep even more comfortable? Try out silk pillowcases! Not only does the silk keep you nice and cool throughout the night, but its also great for your skin. My favourite set is the Mulbery Silk Pillowcases. These have a hidden zipper so your pillow will stay put and it looks much cleaner. I currently have the black in king size and swear by them.
And there you have it. That is my ultimate guide on how to practice a night of self care. If you enjoyed any of these tips let me know in the comments below! Feel free to share some of your own favourite self care practices as well!