My Realistic Evening Routine (That Helps Me Unwind After a Long Day)
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Because once the dinner plates are cleared and the kids are in bed, I finally get a moment to remember I’m a human being.
Let’s Talk About Evenings - The Exhausted Mum Edition
By 7:30PM in my house, the chaos is starting to quiet down (kind of). School bags are by the door (ish), dinner has been eaten (or negotiated), and the dishwasher is humming like the gentle sound of victory.
And then comes that beautiful moment - the house is mostly tidy, the kids are in bed, and I’m standing in the bathroom with a few golden minutes that are mine.
This isn’t a perfect routine. It’s not spa-level serene. But it’s real, it’s repeatable, and it actually helps me calm my nervous system, get proper rest, and feel like myself again.
Step 1: Quick Evening Reset
Before I wind down, I spend 10 minutes max doing a quick reset of the house - nothing major, just the little things that save my sanity in the morning:
- Wipe down the kitchen worktops
- Load and run the dishwasher
- Lay out school uniforms and my own clothes
- Pack school bags and water bottles
- Check the calendar (any non-uniform days, PE kits, forgotten permission slips?)
It’s not glamorous, but it makes mornings smoother and means I can relax later without the mental checklist spinning in my head.
Then comes the important bit: no phone. I plug it in OUTSIDE the bedroom, turn off notifications, and tell myself the world can wait until tomorrow. Because it can.
Step 2: Shower Off the Day
Some nights it’s a full hair-wash, body scrub kind of evening. Other nights, it’s a quick rinse just to wash away the toddler fingerprints, food splatters, and invisible stress.
But either way, I never skip this. The water is like a full stop at the end of the day - a signal to my body that we’re done. We’re winding down.
If I have time, I’ll do a quick dry brush before hopping in - it’s great for circulation, gentle exfoliation, and gives me that mini spa moment in under two minutes.
Step 3: Skincare, the Organic Way
This is where the real magic happens. No 10-step routine. No burning peels or tingling toners. Just simple, organic skincare that’s kind to my face and my headspace.
Here's what I use every night:
Daily Dose Argan Oil – I warm a few drops between my palms and press it into damp skin. It’s deeply hydrating, packed with natural antioxidants and vitamin E, and totally non-toxic. No hidden nasties. No fragrance overload. Just one pure ingredient my skin loves.
Glow Mist Facial Spray – I finish with a light mist all over. It seals in moisture, smells divine, and makes me feel like I’m ending the day with intention. Like a glass of water for my face.
A few nights a week, I’ll use a gentle exfoliating cloth or do a clay mask if my skin needs it - but most evenings, this simple routine does the job beautifully.
Because let’s be honest - consistency over complexity every single time.
Step 4: Screen-Free Wind Down
Once I’m done with the bathroom, I do everything in my power not to get sucked into another scroll. I grab a book (even if it’s just a few pages), scribble in a journal, or listen to a podcast that doesn’t mention work, parenting, or the state of the world.
Here’s a little list I keep by my bed titled “Things To Do That Aren’t My Phone”:
- Read a few pages of fiction
- Stretch on the floor for five minutes
- Listen to a calming playlist
- Write down three things I’m grateful for
- Breathe. Literally just… breathe.
None of it’s fancy. But it works.
Step 4: Castor Oil Pack for Overnight Healing
Okay, this one might sound a bit witchy at first - but hear me out. Adding a castor oil pack to your nighttime routine is one of the simplest, most effective ways to support detox, reduce inflammation, and calm your nervous system before bed.
Here’s the deal:
- Castor oil is rich in ricinoleic acid, which has powerful anti-inflammatory and lymph-stimulating properties.
- When applied topically (especially over the liver area), it helps support digestion, hormone balance, and detoxification.
- It’s also deeply calming - many women report improved sleep, less bloating, and reduced PMS symptoms with regular use.
How I use it:
I soak a small organic flannel or cotton pad in cold-pressed, in Total Restore Organic Castor Oil, place it over my abdomen (right side, over the liver), cover it with an old T-shirt or wrap, and wear it to bed. You can also use a dedicated castor oil wrap or pack belt if you’re fancy.
It’s messier than your average lotion - but the benefits are worth it. I sleep more deeply, wake up less puffy, and feel like I’ve supported my body’s overnight repair process in the gentlest, most natural way.
Note: Always use high-quality, organic castor oil. And avoid during pregnancy unless advised by your practitioner.
Optional (But Lovely): Evening Tea Ritual
I’m a bit of a herbal tea nerd, so this bit is my version of a nightcap:
- Peppermint if I’ve eaten late
- Chamomile if I’m anxious
- Tulsi (holy basil) for general calming
Final Step: Actual Sleep Prep – Now with Science!
Let’s talk about bedtime consistency - because it matters so much more than we realise. Our bodies thrive on rhythm, and melatonin (the sleep hormone) works on a beautiful internal timer.
Here’s the science bit: melatonin is released about 14 hours after you wake up, but it takes around 1.5 to 2 hours to kick in properly. So if your alarm goes off at 6AM, and you’re getting some daylight exposure early (even just standing by a sunny window or stepping outside for five minutes), your body will naturally start producing melatonin around 8PM.
Which means… you should ideally be getting to sleep around 10PM. Not midnight. Not “just one more episode” o’clock. Actual, lights-out, head-on-pillow, no-phone sleep.
Getting to bed at the same time every night, and waking at the same time every morning helps reset your internal clock, supports your mood, energy levels, metabolism, and even your skin. It’s free, it’s powerful, and it’s one of the best things we can do for our long-term health.
Why Organic Skincare Is Part of My Evening Routine Too
I’ve spent years using whatever was on offer at the supermarket, not even noticing how many weird words were on the labels. But as I’ve gotten older (and watched my daughter copy everything I do), I’ve become so much more mindful about what I put on my skin.
Organic skincare means fewer chemicals, fewer reactions, and a whole lot less confusion. I don’t want to slather my face in synthetic fragrances and mystery acids before bed - I want something pure, nourishing, and effective.
Argan oil ticks all the boxes. It’s non-toxic, multi-purpose, and honestly the only thing I’ve stuck with for more than six months. My skin wakes up soft and calm. No tightness. No breakouts. Just healthy, happy skin doing its thing overnight.
Final Thoughts: The Evening Routine That Keeps Me Sane
Here’s the truth: I don’t always get this routine perfect. Some nights I skip the massage, some nights the tea goes cold, and some nights I fall asleep in my clothes (yep, it's happened).
But most nights, I manage some version of this routine. It helps me decompress, reconnect, and reset - so I’m not dragging myself into another day on empty.
It’s not a luxury. It’s a lifeline.
So if your evenings feel like a blur of laundry, homework, and collapsing on the sofa with a half-eaten biscuit - try building just one small ritual into your night. A warm shower. A spritz of glow mist. A single page of a book.
You deserve that moment. You need that moment. And your skin, your sleep, and your soul will thank you for it.
If you missed my morning routine, you can read it here—it’s all about how I start the day with organic skincare, a lemon water, and five minutes of peace before the chaos begins.
Recap: What This Routine Really Does
This evening routine isn’t about perfection—it’s about presence. It’s about creating rhythms that support our body’s natural systems, help us actually sleep, and make us feel cared for at the end of a long day.
Whether it’s applying non-toxic argan oil, sipping a calming tea, or lying down with a soothing castor oil pack, each little step is a quiet vote for your own well-being.
And when paired with a consistent 6am wake-up and a 10pm lights-out, you’re working with your body instead of fighting it.
Tried castor oil packs before? Or have your own sleepytime ritual? Drop it in the comments - I love to hear how you are reclaiming your evenings, one organic step at a time.