Perfect Night Routine in College to Unwind

College at times can feel long and draining, while also having a hard time separating social from academic life. Keeping up with this style of life can be hard so it is important to take the time to unwind at night and truly relax before bed. The goal isn't for it to be actually “perfect” but rather a time to unwind and relax before ending your day. A night routine can look different for everyone compared to what unwinding looks like to them. And while this seems simple it can actually be harder than you think to wind down after a long day, and learn how

What does a Night Routine look like?

A night routine in itself is setting habits to do before bed, this can help your mind and body transition from day to night mode. It is important that you form consistency this way your body can start correlating these routines with bed and rest time. This becomes especially important when coming into college and learning how to find time for yourself. 

This night routine is specifically geared towards college girls who may be dealing with friends, roommates, social pressure, and just the stress of it all in entering college. This can lead girls to stay on their phones too late, or get distracted when it really is a time for rest. Implementing this routine can help you feel more grounded and elevate your mood going into the next day. This should allow for you to feel calmer, and actually notice how overwhelmed you may have been before the routine. However, a college night routine might never be the same as your typical night routine that you may be used to at home. This can be a simplistic routine that either involves your friends or just a time for yourself. That is exactly what this blog is learning what a realistic night routine could look like in college and how you could make it better. 

Realistic Night in College

In college there are often things out of our control that may be affecting our night routine and make us feel like there isn't much point in forming a routine. However, although roommates may be loud or your space isn't styled the exact way you would want it is important to find stability within that and be able to form a routine in a way that fits. This routine may not be the routine that you see on pinterest, it will be the routine that works for you. Working around these issues is something that you have to know before planning out your night routine. I also suggest trying out different methods to see what sticks and actually works in your environment. Here are three easy steps that I use in my nightly routine and would try out to test what works for you, and if they don't work learning how to reshape them to be a better fit.

Step One: Disconnect from Social Media

I think starting with disconnecting from your phone and media is crucial to start out the night on a good note. This start will give you time to visualize what your night will look like and allow you to disassociate. Scrolling keeps your brain active and can make it hard for you to actually relax. However, your brain might be used to this stimulus so you could replace it with music, podcasts, or even an audio book. In the nights where I disconnect from my phone I often find I fall asleep quicker and just feel a lot calmer at the end of the night.

Step Two: Make a Treat

I find that another part of my night routine that gets me excited is adding in a comforting drink or snack. In my house, this is typically making tea and popcorn with my roommates which just helps me relax. This could be whatever drink or snack you prefer but just something that gets you exciting and feeling comfortable. This often provides a sense of home that can give peace of mind and help you relax if feeling overwhelmed. Giving yourself time for just yourself away from all other distractions. This also relates to spending time with friends and family which can help distract yourself from the busy moments in your day that often consume you. 

Step Three: Prepare for Tomorrow 

This step is to help prepare for the next day and reduce stress in the morning. I often like putting on my comfy pajamas to feel put together then getting situated for the next day. This could include planning an outfit, planning your schedule, and prep your bag. This can help relieve stress for the next day and overall help you sleep better and overall have a better end to your night. This gives me peace of mind knowing I have planned for the day ahead and usually reduces the overthinking that can take over your brain when hitting the pillow. 

Step Four: Cozying Up Your Environment

Lastly, I like to set up my room to be a calming space where I want to relax rather than the association it may have with doing homework or feeling overwhelmed during the day. To me, this is lighting a candle, turning on some lamps, and a clean bed. I often find when I set up my space for the nighttime I feel a lot less overwhelmed rather than when I just walk right in. Although it is good to step away from social media and the internet, I often like turning on a comfort show to help unwind from the day. 

 Conclusion 

A night routine is a simple way to take those last few hours in your day for yourself. It is important to tailor it to yourself and your needs. It is less about checking off boxes and more about calming yourself and feeling better when it is time to fall asleep. I recommend choosing a couple steps first and seeing how they work for you, the goal is to unwind your body and mind. Below is a short quiz where you can build your perfect night routine and see what steps you would include in your own!