Last Updated on March 20, 2024 by Saskia Friedrich
Do you need help finding ways to make your evenings more enjoyable and relaxing? If so, you’ll love this list of self-care night ideas!
Self-care nights can be an opportunity to prioritize yourself and take some much-needed “me time.” Whether that means taking a bubble bath, reading a book, or doing an activity that brings you joy – practicing self-care at night is essential for your mental and physical health.
There are plenty of ways to practice relaxing self-care in the evening, from incorporating simple activities into your daily routine, planning special date nights with yourself, or indulging in relaxation rituals.
In this blog post, I will discuss various personal self-care ideas and how you can incorporate them into your night to have an enjoyable and restful evening!
That way your quality of sleep improves and your days become more structured and less rushed.
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35 Self-Care Night Ideas For A Healthy Nighttime Routine
35 ideas for self care to have the best night routine and feel relaxed and re-centered:
- 1. Stretch out sore muscles
- 2. Go for a walk
- 3. Prepare healthy food for the next day
- 4. Watch 30 minutes of your favorite show
- 5. Draw or paint
- 6. Knit or crochet
- 7. Take a relaxing bath
- 8. Journal about your day
- 9. Set goals and priorities for the next day
- 10. Make a cup of tea
- 11. Listen to relaxing music
- 12. Light a candle
- 13. Meditate
- 14. Do your skincare routine
- 15. Put on your most comfy pajamas
- 16. Read a good book
- 17. Get a good night’s sleep
- 18. Take a break from social media
- 19. Go on a self care date night with yourself
- 20. Take a break from work
- 21. Have a self care shower
- 22. Practice a hobby
- 23. Learn a new hobby or skill
- 24. Plan a spa day
- 25. Do something creative
- 26. Make a vision board
- 27. Go to a fitness class
- 28. Call your best friend or a family member
- 29. Plan a little holiday
- 30. Go to a coffee shop
- 31. Go for a hike
- 32. Cook a healthy meal with your partner
- 33. Take a yoga class
- 34. Play a board game
- 35. Have a picnic
Essentials For A Relaxed Nighttime Self Care Routine
- Assorted tea bags
- Journal
- Drawing kit
- Painting set
- Knitting & crocheting set
- Essential oils
- Pure Epsom salt
- Kindle book
- Candle
Relaxing Evening Activities
What Does Self-Care Mean?
Self-care is taking active steps to improve your physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
Self-care activities can include anything from getting enough sleep and eating a healthy diet to engaging in creative activities such as writing or making art. It can also involve going out for coffee with friends, scheduling time just for yourself, or even simply taking a bath or a shower.
If you need some inspiration on how to make your bath or shower more special, check out the posts below:
How to create your ultimate bath routine
Ultimately, self-care activities are about doing the things that bring you joy, help you relax, fill your cup, and help you to feel your best. They help to live your life more intentionally and at ease.
Why Is It Important To Practice Self-Care Night Ideas?
Unfortunately, in our busy lives, self-care is often one of the first things to get tossed off our to-do list in favor of other things that seem “more important” now. But, self-care is essential to maintain a healthy balance.
Self-care can help reduce stress, improve sleep, and increase productivity. It can also help to boost your mood and self-esteem, as well as improve relationships with others.
Find out more about the barriers to self-care and how you can let go of them!
What Are The Different Ways You Can Incorporate Self-Care Night Ideas Into Your Evening?
What’s great about self-care activities is how customizable they are. Depending on your needs, wants, and desires, there are plenty of ways to incorporate self-care activities into your night without it feeling like a chore.
- The first option is to create a nighttime self-care routine where you do regular activities each night.
- The second option is to have a whole night dedicated to self-care. These are especially beneficial when you have had a particularly stressful day.
- The third option is a self-care date night, which you can do with your partner or a friend!
With that said, let’s take a deeper look at some self-care night ideas for each option!
How Do I Make A Self-Care Nighttime Routine?
Are you wondering how to have a self care night?
Creating a self-care evening routine can be a great way to ensure your physical, mental, and emotional well-being at the end of each day. The first step should be designing the evening around activities that bring you joy and provide necessary psychological and physical rest.
The second step is determining when and what self-care you’d like to practice each evening. Self-care routines can be as short as fifteen minutes or as long as two hours – whatever works for you!
Get some more inspiration on how to create an evening routine for working moms including a nightly routine checklist! Learn how to get organized and stay productive while getting all the chores done.
And even though it is important to practice self-care regularly, it’s also normal to miss a night here and there. Don’t be too hard on yourself if you don’t stick to your routine one evening. Just start again the following day with these nighttime habits.
Once you’ve determined when and how often to practice self-care, it’s time to make a list of the best night habits for self-care that you’d like to include in your routine.
Self-Care Night Routine Ideas
Here is a list of basic self-care tasks you can include in your self-care night routine. Learn how to have a self care night using a few of these simple but effective activities.
These ideas for self care are also great to add to a 30-day self-care challenge if you need your self-care to get back on track.
Relaxing Evening Activities
1. Stretch Out Sore Muscles
Whether you spend your day sitting or moving, stretching out your muscles can help reduce muscle tightness and tension and improve flexibility, posture, and overall joint health.
Stretching is also known to help reduce stress and anxiety levels and improve your sleep quality. Whether you do yoga, use a foam roller, or even the basic stretches you might do before and after exercise, your body and mind will benefit significantly from this daily self-care activity.
2. Go For A Walk
Walking is a self-care activity that is beneficial for many reasons. Firstly, it is an excellent form of exercise, which is great for your physical health. Secondly, it’s also helpful for our mental and emotional health.
A leisurely stroll in nature or around your neighborhood can help clear your mind and reduce stress. Walking also gives you time to observe and appreciate the beauty of your surroundings, which can help to increase positive thinking.
Studies have also shown that walking can help boost creativity and problem-solving skills. So, try to incorporate a walk into your daily routine!
3. Prepare Healthy Food For The Next Day
Taking time each night to prepare healthy meals or snacks for the next day can help you stay on track with your health goals and take care of your body, making this a beneficial self-care activity to include in your routine.
Nothing is worse than getting busy during the day and turning to unhealthy, fast options simply because they are more convenient.
4. Watch 30 Minutes Of Your Favorite Show
Many people discourage watching television, but I disagree with this! I firmly believe that watching a small amount of television can help you relax and destress from the day. It gives your mind a break and allows for downtime.
The key is not to get sucked into watching your show for hours and hours. Do it in moderation for the best results!
5. Draw or Paint
Do you want some creative self-care ideas? Drawing and painting can be hugely relaxing because they allow your mind to focus on one thing and let go. Plus, expressing your creativity can be a great way to recharge and clear your mind from the day.
6. Knit Or Crochet
Knitting and crocheting have also been found to reduce stress levels and improve focus. Plus, you can create something useful, like a scarf or blanket!
They make great self care DIY ideas!
7. Take A Relaxing Bath
If you need an activity to relax and unwind after the day, consider taking a hot bath! Doing this can help soothe sore muscles, induce relaxation, improve sleep quality, and reduce stress.
It also creates an opportunity for some ‘me-time,’ allowing you to focus solely on yourself and your well-being.
Add essential oils or Epsom salts to the water to make your bath even more soothing.
Do you want to know another positive effect of having a bath? A study found that soaking in hot water can burn as many calories as going for a 30-minute walk.
8. Journal About Your Day
Writing down your thoughts and feelings as part of your self love night routine can be a great way to release any stress or anxiety you may have experienced, reflect on your experiences, and track any progress you have made.
Plus, by reflecting on the day’s events, you can gain valuable insight into what worked and what didn’t to improve each area of your life.
This self-care activity has the power to be transformative! Browse for a pretty journal or notebook and start your journaling journey. I promise, you won’t regret it! It has been such a powerful tool which improves my life little by little every day.
Find out more about how to start journaling and what journal prompts can help in showing yourself more love as well as accelerate your personal growth.
9. Set Goals And Priorities For The Next Day
In addition to reflecting on your day, it can be equally beneficial for your self-care to plan for the day ahead. Setting goals and priorities for the next day can help you get a clearer picture of what needs to be done, delegate tasks, and stay on track.
Doing this also helps make the next day more organized and productive.
10. Make A Cup Of Tea
Making and savoring a cup of tea can be a great way to relax at the end of your day. There are many different types of teas available, each with its own unique flavor and health benefits.
Choose one you enjoy and savor your cup of tea while reflecting on the day and looking forward to the next.
11. Listen To Relaxing Music
This self-care activity is lovely on its own, but pairing it with one of the other activities mentioned is also good. Calm music can help you relax, reduce stress, and improve focus and concentration.
Listening to relaxing music before bed can also help improve your sleep quality and reduce insomnia. Or maybe you prefer listening to an audio book? If you do this just on its own, it’s a good way if improving your concentration.
12. Light A Candle
Part of self-care is how you feel in your environment. One way to foster a relaxing and peaceful atmosphere is by lighting a candle. Choose your favorite scent and watch the flame flicker while you reflect on the day and practice mindfulness.
13. Meditate
If you struggle with stress in your daily life, consider adding meditation to your list of self-care night ideas that you do regularly. Meditation effectively reduces stress levels and teaches you to clear your mind and live more in the present moment.
You can meditate alone in a quiet space while listening to calming music or try a guided meditation for direction on what to focus on.
14. Do Your Skincare Routine
When you think of self-care activities, your mind likely goes right to the idea of doing your skincare regimen because the two are commonly associated together. Taking care of your skin and giving yourself an at-home spa treatment can be a great way to relax and unwind.
Taking care of your skin can also make you feel beautiful and confident.
15. Put On Your Most Comfy Pajamas
Sometimes, it’s the small things in life that can make you feel so good, and getting into a soft, comfortable pair of pajamas after a long day might be just what you need!
This self-care activity is an easy way to lift your mood and can easily be paired with one of the other self-care ideas in this list!
16. Read A Good Book
Reading a good book is one of the most traditional ways to relax and practice self-care. Choose a book you are interested in and get lost in the story. Reading can help you relax, destress, and improve your imagination and creativity!
17. Get A Good Night’s Sleep
Finally, getting a good night’s sleep is essential for your self-care. A lack of sleep can lead to fatigue and irritability during the day. Ensure you sleep seven to eight hours every night to be your best self!
As I said above, you can include any number of these self-care activities in your daily night routine. And try to make your routine as well-rounded as possible to do things that will help your physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
Having enough sleep will make it easier for you to get up in the morning and follow a morning routine. Read on if you need some motivation on how to get up early.
More Things To Do On A Self Care Night
Are you in need of a whole self-care evening? These can be nice to enjoy at the end of the day or week, especially if you’ve had a particularly stressful or bad day. And dedicating an entire night to self-care can help you refill your cup for the coming days.
Self-Care Evening Ideas
Here are some self-care ideas you can try whenever you need an evening dedicated to your self-care. Self care Friday here we come!
18. Take A Break From Social Media
Social media can be a great way to stay connected with friends and family, but it can also be draining and time-consuming. A self-care evening is a perfect opportunity to take a break from the world of social media for a few hours.
Enjoy some quality time with yourself or those around you without any screens!
19. Go On A Self-Care Date Night With Yourself
Going on a self-care date night with yourself can be a great way to show yourself some extra love and attention. Self care date ideas could involve going out for lunch, watching a movie, going to the library, or enjoying your favorite activity alone.
20. Take A Break From Work
If you’re feeling overworked, it’s important to remember that it’s okay to take a break and give yourself permission to relax. Take some time away from work and enjoy a few hours of self-care.
21. Have A Self-Care Shower
If you’ve been neglecting physical self-care, such as wearing a regular face mask, hair mask, shaving, etc., consider taking a full self-care shower. Gather all of your favorite products and enjoy a luxurious shower, followed by applying moisturizer and lotion.
If you need some inspiration on how to have the best shower doing all the things that help you feel relaxed and refreshed, check out my post on taking a shower during your night time routine.
Check out these self care kit ideas!
22. Practice A Hobby
Now is the perfect time to practice hobbies such as painting, drawing, knitting, or anything else! Take this time to get lost in something that brings you joy and allows you to express yourself creatively.
23. Learn A New Hobby or Skill
Learning a new skill or hobby can be a great way to practice self-care and challenge yourself. Try picking up something you’ve wanted to learn or perfecting something you already know! You could learn a new language, make your own ice-cream, or take better photographs.
24. Plan A Spa Day
There’s nothing better than planning a day to get pampered. During your evening self care routine, lock in your next visit at the hairdresser or the nail studio, or treat yourself for a massage.
Whatever you enjoy, put it into your spa day. Some more inspiration for you:
25. Do Something Creative
Creativity can be a great way to express yourself, and it’s also a great way to relax. You can do this by coloring in an adult coloring book, sewing, writing poetry, creative writing, editing your photos or videos, etc.
26. Make A Vision Board
Vision boards are a great way to set goals and manifest the things you want in life. Spend time creating your vision board using magazines, post-its, or digital programs!
Doing this is a relaxing activity that can benefit your mental health while also helping you get clear on your goals and what you’re working toward right now.
27. Go To A Fitness Class
Exercising is a great way to practice self-care, as it can help reduce stress and clear your mind. But it’s also easy to get stuck in a fitness rut or not prioritize it enough.
To mix things up, try going to a fitness class. It can be something you’re already familiar with or a completely new activity you want to experience!
28. Call Your Best Friend Or A Family Member
Reaching out to a friend or family member can be beneficial during an evening of self-care. It’s essential to maintain relationships and catch up with those we love! And if you’re feeling brave enough, why not even go for a FaceTime call?
If you are having a self-care evening intending to relax, unwind, and recharge your batteries, making a self-care night checklist can be helpful. This will help ensure you do everything you know will help you relax physically, mentally, and emotionally.
29. Plan A Little Holiday
Planning your next get away or bigger holiday is something so exciting, I love doing it! It can be a day trip into nature, a day at a spa, a weekend camping trip, or a holiday overseas. Whatever activity or destination makes you feel good and happy.
Self-Care Date Night Ideas
You don’t have to have a self-care night by yourself. If your partner is on board, why not make self-care date nights a thing? You could do this on a Friday night or any day of the week when you could both use one!
Here are some fun ideas for self-care date nights.
By the way, if you’re single, these are also great self care night ideas with friends!
30. Go To A Coffee Shop
Going to a coffee shop can be a great way to bond with your partner while enjoying the atmosphere, sipping your favorite drinks, and catching up!
31. Go For A Hike
There’s nothing quite like getting some fresh air and enjoying nature with your partner. Not only does hiking help you get some much-needed self-care and exercise, but it also allows you to enjoy each other’s company.
Look for trails nearby that are at least one to two hours long, pack a bag, and get going!
32. Cook A Healthy Meal Together
Cooking a healthy meal together can be such an enjoyable activity. You get to choose the recipe, pick out the ingredients and take turns cooking. If you and your partner are in a good rut, this can also be an excellent opportunity to try new things.
33. Take A Yoga Class
Having a yoga session together is a great way to bond while also getting in some exercise. Find a class that suits your abilities, have fun, and enjoy each other’s company!
34. Play A Board Game
Do you and your partner love games and friendly competition? If yes, having a game night is a fun way to spend quality time together doing something you enjoy. You can pick out your favorite board game or try something new.
35. Have A Picnic
When was the last time you had a good, old-fashioned picnic? Whether you go to the park or the beach, a picnic is always a great way to spend time together and enjoy the outdoors.
No matter what self-care ideas you choose to do at night, whether part of an evening routine or for a whole self-care night, it’s important to remember that it should be something you enjoy.
Forcing yourself to do things won’t help in the long run, but taking time to relax and care for yourself will have positive effects. Pick your self-care night ideas wisely!
Looking For More Daily Self Care Ideas?
I hope this list of self-care night ideas has given you some inspiration and motivation to prioritize self-care so you can feel your best!
Looking for self-care activities that you can do on a busy day? Check out these self care ideas that take 5 minutes or less.
Want to show yourself more love and appreciation? Find out about self love exercises you can do which will transform your life to the better. You can also incorporate them into your self love routine (which you can easily create in 6 simple steps).
If you want to dig deeper into the areas of self-care and the barriers to self-care we often face, be sure to read on!
FAQs on Self-Care Night Ideas
How Can I Make Self-Care More Fun?
Choosing the right time and activity are essential to make self-care more fun. If you’re rushing between appointments, then it’s not the right time for you. You also need to pick a self-care idea that you truly enjoy rather than doing something that someone else likes.
Is Hanging Out With Friends Considered Self-Care?
Yes, hanging out with friends is definitely a form of social self-care. You can be your true self in front of friends and don’t need to have polite and superficial conversations like you would with work colleagues. Being relaxed calm down your nervous system.
How Do You Have A Self-Care Night With Friends?
Organizing a self care night with friends can be so much fun! Come together for a glass of wine or cup of tea and think about what you would like to do. Good self care party ideas with friends can include mixing cocktails, cooking together, or doing a theme night.
What Is A Self-Care Hobby?
A self-care hobby is an activity that can be challenging as well as relaxing and rewarding. Things like gardening, hiking, or crafting can make you focus on something particular in this moment and can have a big positive impact on your mental and emotional health.
Is Self-Care The Same As Self-Love?
No, self-care and self-love are not the same thing. Self-care is about taking care of yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally. Self-love is about accepting yourself for who you are, being kind and compassionate towards yourself and your values and beliefs.
About The Author of Self-Care Night Ideas
Saskia is a mom, blogger, and freelance writer. She loves sharing tips on self-care, personal growth, and productivity & organization. Find out more about her or get in touch with her here.
