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We’re all familiar with how important a night-time routine can be for our well-being and quality of sleep. Whatever helps you wind down for the evening is a tick in my books; whether that’s Yoga, a warm bath or rocking out to Metallica. It’s each to their own as far as I’m concerned as it’s important to be more mindful with your self and not just follow the crowd for the sake of it.
BUT (and there’s always a but isn’t there?) I’m far too familiar as well with how hard it can be to effectively wind down in the evenings. I swear there is just SO MUCH GOING ON all the damn time. It’s a wonder any of us get any sleep at all sometimes.
And especially now, with the added stress of the pandemic, our health, our loved ones health, potential furlough or unemployment as well as the doom and gloom on the news every single day of our lives. Phew. I’m exhausted just thinking about it all to be honest.
So today I want to share with you some self care tips which will be perfect additions to your night-time routine or things you can incorporate into your evening to help you wind down for the day, relax, switch off and just give yourself a well deserved bit of TLC. Because we all need that right now, don’t we?
6 self care tips perfect to incorporate into your bedtime routine:
Get the heck off of social media
Right, I’m going to be mean and serious for a second here. Because this is IMPORTANT. Social media can be the absolute devil at the moment. And don’t get me wrong, I freaking LOVE social media. But right now, in the midst of a pandemic and when everyone’s emotions and opinions are heightened, it’s time to GTFO.
I don’t mean ditching it completely. Where else would we get our weekly dose of memes and blogging drama? But now is a time to limit social media usage. And evening is THE TIME to do that. You don’t want to be trying to wind down whilst at the same time worrying about that conspiracy theory about dogs actually being spies for the government you’ve just read.
Incorporate Evening Primrose Oil into your routine
I’m very partial to a vitamin or supplement and have found huge benefits of incorporating a selection of them into my diet and routine. I use multi-vitamins and take cod liver oil to help make sure I’m getting plenty of Omega 3 fats DHA and EPA but now I’m also adding an evening primrose oil into the mix – I was recommended this to add to my beauty routine.
Efamol Evening Primrose Oil has been shown in a survey to support beautifully smooth and nourished looking skin. It contains Vitamin E which helps protect cells from oxidative stress, which can be caused by sunlight and natural processes including ageing. Efamol have completed a study with 77 participants that found the following results:
- 82% agree that Efamol Evening primrose oil supports beautifully smooth and nourished looking skin
- 85% feel happier with their skin
- 82% feel more confident with their skin
- 72% feel skin is firmer
- 87% feel their skin is less dry
- 85% skin feels softer
- 84% skin feels smoother
Those are some pretty great results, huh? As someone who’s never been particularly happy with their skin and is also suffering from acne and breakouts right now, this product showed up at the exact right time for me. Each bottle contains 90 capsules and is recommended to take 6 per day when first starting. They come in these beautiful bottles as well so the packaging is a firm thumbs up from me.
Another great thing about this brand is that these capsules are suitable for women at any time of the month, which is clearly stated on the box. I’m enjoying incorporating these into my routine and it’s very likely I’ll do a more detailed progress post on Instagram a little later in the year.
Although these capsules might not directly help you wind down in the evening, they’re an incredible addition to your skincare routine. And skincare is definitely something that at least helps ME wind down in the evening before bed. There’s nothing quite like giving yourself that 10/15 minutes of TLC time to focus on your skin.
(This survey was conducted using Efamol Evening Primrose Oil on 77 parIcipants, they were all asked to complete a skin perception survey before and after a 3 month period of taking the recommended introductory dosage of Evening Primrose Oil between September 2020 – November 2020.)
Limit screen time
Yes I know you’ve heard this one before but I thought I’d mention it anyway, just to stay relevant. But honestly, it’s not a coincidence that everyone is recommending you to limit your screen time. It like, actually helps. I don’t know about you but I work from a screen all day, every day. Sometimes I am so sick of staring at a screen I could quite happily lob my laptop out of the window.
I’ve taken to reading a LOT and also listening to podcasts in the evening. Two great activities which can help you wind down as well as keeping you away from that dreaded blue light (more on that in a sec!). Need some book recommendations? Check out my top reads of 2020!
Alter your phones blue light settings
This one has been a GAME CHANGER and only something I actually realised was a “thing” until this year. Blue light from screens is the enemy. We get natural blue light from the sun every day. However it’s the artificial blue light from screens which royally f**** us up. Because as you know, the sun sets every day. Yet our brains and bodies are kept wired, awake and alert by all this artificial blue light coming from our devices, way past sunset.
There’s a setting on iPhones (sorry Android users) which mimics the sunset and adjusts the blue light on your phone to fade away gradually as the sun is setting. You’ll notice a more yellow / orange tinge to your screen between the hours of sunrise and sunset when blue light has been taken away. It’s literally amazing.
Have a bath (if you can) or an evening shower
Over lockdown 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 (and inevitable 4.0 and 5.0 – coming soon), my bath times have been such a saving grace for me. They’ve sometimes been the ONLY time during the day where I’ve been alone and been able to grab some peace and quiet. So if you have a bath, DO NOT skimp out on the perfect bath time.
Bath bombs, bubbles, candles, water safe crystals, books, music, a Martini, chocolate – you name it. I’ve had some of the most relaxing and needed baths and they’ve seriously helped me wind down in the evening. This time of year is even better, as it’s usually so chilly.
Give yourself some alone time
I’ve struggled with the lack of alone time a lot during these lockdowns. As an introvert, being around people 24/7, all of whom are doing different things, making different noises etc, really stresses me out and makes me incredibly agitated. It got so bad in lockdown 1.0 that I actually started to disassociate. Alone time is incredibly important.
But it can be hard. We all know that. So take what you can get and try and prioritise at least 10 minutes of alone time every evening to help you wind down. If a bath isn’t an option, then perhaps just spend a bit of extra time on your skincare. Or moisturise with a candle lit and some soft music playing.
I genuinely love having an evening shower and I try where possible to limit my screen time just before bed so that I can sleep better. Self care tips are so important during lockdown x
I love an evening shower too – so relaxing, getting into bed all warm and clean! x
Lately I’ve been finding it hard to wind down in the evenings because of everything going on (lockdown, my daughter starting school soon, my school & residence permit), but these are great tips! I definitely agree that it’s good to limit screen time & not be on social media all the time espeically in the evenings. I also have the blue light filter on phone & it’s amazing! I haven’t heard about primrose oil & all the benefits so maybe I should try it out!
Definitely! Sorry to hear you’re struggling in the evenings. Sounds like you’ve got a lot going on and hope you find some beneficial coping tips x
Thanks for sharing these tips, I’m trying to use of less social media past 9pm so I can sleep better, plus I find now doing stretches helps to 🙂
Stretching before bed is great!
I love anything that will help my sleep. Some nights I’m out like a light, others I’m hearing the cogs turn in my brain unable to switch off. I love lavender for bedtime, I have a pillow spray and pressure point roll!
Rosie
Yesss I have a lavendar pillow spray. It’s beaut!
I’m definitely taking all of these on board! My sleep is suffering at the moment so I really needed this. I definitely need to start limiting my screen time and I need to just spend less time on social media in general. Like you say everything is heightened at the moment and I think it’s coming across a lot on social media so it’s definitely a good idea to step back sometimes! xx
Tiffany x http://www.foodandotherloves.co.uk
I totally agree. I’ve started turning social media off at 7:30 pm and honestly it’s doing WONDERS. Try that!
I’m having stress lately because I’m trying so hard to keep up with all the tasks. I think it’s time to have a self-care after working – thank you for sharing this Jen x
Hope you prioritise that self care time!
Great post! Thank you for sharing these self care tips! I also love reading books and listening to podcasts before bed! I will definitely be checking out the blue light setting on my phone as it sounds like a great idea.
Hope that helps!
Thanks for the blue light tip for iPhones! I had no idea there was such a setting, so I’ll have to start using that.
I’ve been doing long hours at work recently, so my screen time is through the roof! I’ve been spending a lot less time on social media as a result, because I just can’t bare the thought of looking at screens all evening too. Once work is less busy, I hope I can keep up the habit of reduced time on my phone on an evening x
That’s great though! I’m seriously limiting my social media time too. Like, nobody needs to know what everyone else is doing that much haha!
I have started taking a couple of supplements, I’ve never thought of evening primrose oil as I didn’t really know what it was for. Now that I know, I will have to look into getting some myself.
Yay that’s great!
Great tips Jenny, now I think I’ll have to give the EPO a try 👍
They’re great supplements!
Oooh such wonderful tips here my lovely!
Love, Amie ❤
The Curvaceous Vegan
Thank you 🙂 x
I love these self care tips to incorporate into your bedtime routine! One thing I need to start doing more often is staying away from my phone before going to bed x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
Yessss do it! It’ll have an amazing effect 🙂
Wonderful post! I totally agree with these tips! at night, I try to keep my phone away and read a book instead. It helps me sleep better either ways!
Thank you 🙂 Yes I love reading before bed too!
I’ve never heard about these benefits of evening primrose oil before – definitely one I’ll have to look into more. I’m back to making a real effort at the moment with not being on Twitter as much and making sure when I put my phone down in the evening (or throughout the day actually) it stays down – the Flora app is helping here because it’s making me conscious of how often I’m picking up the phone. Great post!
Ooooh I haven’t heard of the Flora app? I’ll have to check that out!
You set a timer and if you pick up your phone in that time, it kills your tree. Once you start building up your hours of focus, I think it equates into them actually planting trees as well?
I totally love this. ❤️
Thank you 🙂
These are all great ideas and easy to add! I already have a skincare routine in the evening which helps me take some time for myself as well as reading a book. I just changed the screen light setting on my phone, didn’t know it was possible, so absolutely thanks for that! I also started limiting my time on the phone and even if it’s a bit difficult at first, it works! x
You’re welcome! It’s such a great feature I love it!
This evening primrose oil looks like a good product. I need to check it out. And I need to limit my screening time as well. Hehehe.
Yessss do it! You won’t regret it!
I have blue light glasses to help combat blue light.
But this was very informational about vitamins and supplements. Will make me research and rethink about excluding them from my routines.
I’ve heard good things about blue light glasses!
I keep hearing good things about using evening primrose oil, so I think I might have to check it out! I have a pair of blue light glasses but always forget to wear them in the evening – think it’s time I try it again!
Sarah x
Maybe start wearing those again! I’ve heard great things about them x
These are such great ideas!! I started leaving my phone downstairs on an evening and it’s made such a difference to my sleeping pattern and sleeping quality!! Definitely recommend!
Great idea!
I had no idea about the blue light setting, I am getting on that straight away! I have purchased some blue light glasses though that have helped.
The results from the evening primrose are incredible, I think I need to give these a try. My skin is struggling with a lack of sunshine, its really dull and lifeless at the mo x
That’s great! yeah the setting is SOOO HELPFUL!
I love this! I’m terrible at getting off my phone before bed, it’s such a bad habit. Great ideas – I also love to do a workout in the eve xx
It’s an awful habit isn’t it haha
I have that EPO!! Great item!
I swear by evening showers, I always find it easier to sleep after a shower so do this a few times a week. My partner and a also sit in different rooms for about an hour before we go to bed. If one of us is hyper we end up making the other hyper. Great tips, thanks for sharing
Sure is!