Evening Routine For Moms: 10 Things You Should Do Before Bed

This post is all about evening routine for moms.

10 Things Moms Should Do Before Bed: An Evening Routine For Moms That Actually Helps

By the time bedtime rolls around, most moms are totally exhausted, but also somehow equally wired. The house is finally quiet, your to-do list is still unfinished, and scrolling on your phone feels like the only “me time” you’ll get.

A simple evening routine for moms isn’t about adding more tasks to your plate. It’s about small, intentional habits that help you wind down, sleep better, and wake up feeling a little more prepared for the next day.

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Even if you can’t do all 10 of these things every night, chose however many you can realistically fit into your schedule, and it will make a difference.

Why an Evening Routine For Moms Matters

Moms carry a lot on a daily basis. We’re talking physically, mentally, and emotionally. Without a way to intentionally slow down, it’s easy to head to bed feeling overwhelmed and wake up already feeling behind.

A realistic evening routine for moms can:

Improve sleep quality

Reduce nighttime anxiety and overthinking
Make mornings smoother and less chaotic
Help you feel more in control of your time

The key is keeping it simple and flexible.

10 Things Moms Should Do Before Bedtime

1. Put Your Phone Away (or At Least Limit Scrolling)

How often to you find yourself a victim of doom-scrolling? Mindless scrolling might feel relaxing, but it often keeps your brain overstimulated. Blue light and constant information can make it harder to fall asleep. Now a days simply scrolling on our phones bombards us with A LOT of information in a very short amount of time. As many times, the information isn’t very positive.

Try setting a gentle boundary:

Put your phone down 20–30 minutes before bed
Use “Do Not Disturb” mode

Charge your phone away from your bed

This one small habit can dramatically improve your evening routine for moms.

2. Do a Quick Nighttime Skincare Routine

This doesn’t have to be fancy or time consuming. Washing your face and applying moisturizer can be a simple signal to your body that the day is done.

It’s a small act of self-care that feels grounding, especially after a long day of taking care of everyone else.

Make it feel more impactful by having a special night time moisturizing cream that is good for your skin, and offers an elevated level of self-care. This ELEMIS Superfood Midnight Facial moisturizer is a great way to incorporate a quick and simple act of selfcare at the end of the day. It’s powered by beneficial ingredients that are rich in vitamin C, omegas and prebiotics. It’s an overnight gel-cream that is mean to nourish your skin and provide ample hydration which helps to restore tired, dull-looking skin. It also helps to remove visible signs of fatigue so you wake up looking more refreshed and well-rested.

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ELEMIS Superfood Midnight Facial – Lightweight Overnight Facial Cream, Prebiotic-Infused Hydrating Gel, Vitamin C Camu Camu Moisturizer, Omega Rich Night Cream – 50ml

The indulgent formula is infused with Camu Camu, a well-known source of Vitamin C, and Cocoa Butter

This silky cream also contains Banana Flower Extract, offering hydrating and Prebiotic properties
This balancing Prebiotic gel-cream works through the night to drench dull-looking skin in a cocoon of nourishing hydration
English (Publication Language)

3. Prep One Thing for Tomorrow

Notice the word one.

You don’t need to prep everything to feel prepared. Choose a single task that will make your morning easier:

Lay out clothes

Pack lunches
Set up the coffee maker
Put backpacks by the door

This is one of the most effective habits in an evening routine for moms who want calmer mornings.

4. Write Tomorrow’s Top 3 Priorities

Instead of a long, overwhelming to-do list, write down just three things you’d like to focus on the next day.

This helps:

Clear your mind before bed
Prevent late-night overthinking
Set realistic expectations for yourself

Keep it simple and doable. This doesn’t mean that you’ll only get those 3 things done. But it gives you your priorities to focus on. Rather than feeling so scattered and overwhelmed the next that you end up not actually getting anything fully done.

5. Tidy One Small Area

You don’t need to clean the whole house. Frantically going on a massive cleaning spree isn’t something you’ll want to do when your mind and body should be gearing up for a restful sleep. Choose one visible space:

Kitchen counter

Living room table
Entryway

Waking up to a slightly tidier space can instantly improve your mood and energy in the morning.

6. Do a Quick Brain Dump

Moms often lie awake because their minds won’t shut off when their heads hit the pillow.

Keep a notebook nearby and write down:

Things you’re worried about

Tasks you don’t want to forget
Random thoughts circling your mind

Getting it on paper helps your brain relax so you can actually rest. Move it from your mind to the paper. Then set the paper aside.

7. Stretch or Move Your Body for 5 Minutes

After a day of lifting kids, sitting, or constantly moving, your body needs a release.

A few minutes of gentle stretching can:

Reduce tension

Improve sleep quality
Help you feel physically calmer

This is an underrated but powerful part of an evening routine for moms. This RESTCLOUD Neck and Shoulder Relaxer has been really helpful addition to my evening routine as a busy, over-stressed mom.

RESTCLOUD Neck and Shoulder Relaxer, Cervical Traction Device for TMJ Pain Relief and Cervical Spine Alignment, Chiropractic Pillow Neck Stretcher (Blue)

Help relief neck pain in just 10 minutes a day. The neck stretcher is intended to be used for people who are Prolonged bowing your head, sit still for along time, improper sitting posture, stiff neck, help relieve neck pain and pressure, help restore neck curve naturally.
The neck and shoulder relaxer is ergonomic design, the curve of neck relaxer matches the cervical spine. When you lie down, it offers vertical, horizontal support, and Curvature stretch for neck traction, allowing the cervical traction pillow to position the head to reduce spinal pressure, support the cervical spine and help restore the C-shaped curve of the neck.
Dense foam design provides sturdy, lightweight, and comfortable base. Cervical neck stretcher can be used on hard surfaces, such as home floors, outdoor flat ground, yoga mats etc.

Can’t be used as an ordinary pillow all night long. Normally you will need 1-3 days to adapt to this pillow, because your neck needs time to familiar with the new corrector curvature. You will enjoy an extreme comfort after you get used to it!
This neck stretcher should never cause pain, however some slight discomfort may be felt initially when using this device. There are many varying conitions of the vervical spine, improper application of this device or the use of excessive time on this device may aggravate an existing condition or cause additional injury. If you feel pain, numbness or dizziness, immdediately discontinue using device and consult with your healthcare professional.

8. Do Something Screen-Free

Reading a book, journaling, or sitting quietly helps your brain slow down in a way screens don’t.

Even 5–10 minutes of screen-free time can make falling asleep easier.

Disclaimer: Nowadays, we have many amazing resources at our fingertips that often come in the form of technology and yes, *gasp* a screen. But the use of a Kindle for reading comes with many benefits, and can totally be considered “screen-free” time. It’s still quiet time, and is very relaxing for the mind, as opposed to scrolling social media or depressing news sites. However, while the Kindle App is really convenient and can be used on your phone, it would be much better to use an actual Kindle, especially as part of your evening routine for moms.

Benefits of Using a Kindle Instead of the Kindle App on Your Phone (Especially at Night)

VIEW DETAILS ON THE KINDLE PAPER WHITE

Compare To Other Kindle Models

No Endless Scrolling Temptation

When you read on your phone, notifications, texts, and social media are always one swipe away. Even with good intentions, it’s easy to stop reading and start scrolling.

A Kindle is a single-purpose device, which makes it easier to stay focused and truly relax which is a big win for an evening routine for moms.

Less Blue Light = Better Sleep

Phones emit strong blue light that can interfere with melatonin production and make it harder to fall asleep.

Kindles (especially Paperwhite models) use e-ink technology, which is much gentler on the eyes and designed to mimic real paper. Many models also offer warm light settings that are ideal for bedtime reading.

Your Brain Associates It With Rest, Not Productivity

Phones are tied to:

Work emails
School messages
To-do lists

Social media

A Kindle doesn’t carry that mental load. Over time, your brain begins to associate Kindle reading with rest and downtime, making it easier to wind down before sleep.

Fewer Distractions = Deeper Relaxation

Even if notifications are silenced, your brain still expects interruptions when you’re on your phone.

A Kindle creates a calmer experience with:

No pop-ups
No alerts

No temptation to multitask

This helps moms actually relax instead of staying mentally “on.”

Easier on Tired Eyes

After a long day, staring at a bright phone screen can cause eye strain and headaches.

Kindles are designed for long reading sessions and are much easier on tired eyes, especially in low light, making them perfect for bedtime reading.

Better Sleep Associations

Using your phone in bed can train your brain to associate your bed with stimulation and activity.

Using a Kindle for a short, screen-minimal reading session supports healthier sleep habits and reinforces bedtime as a time to slow down.

Helps You Read More Consistently

Many moms want to read more but struggle to make it a habit.

Because Kindles:

Are convenient

Remember your spot
Feel intentional

They make it easier to stick with reading as part of a nightly routine. (Personal note: I used to read maybe 1-2 books a year at the most. I started using a kindle, and now I read 12+ books a year! It ignited a new love of reading in my soul.)

No “Just One More Thing” Spiral

Opening the Kindle app often leads to:

Checking messages
Opening social media

Googling random things

With a Kindle, reading stays reading, which protects the calm you’re trying to create in your evening routine for moms.

Lightweight and Comfortable for Bed

Kindles are designed to be held comfortably for long periods, even lying down. Many moms find them easier to use than holding a phone for extended reading at night.

Encourages Screen-Free Wind-Down Habits

While technically still a screen, a Kindle functions more like a book than a phone.

Using one helps moms:

Reduce overall screen time

Create intentional evening habits
Model healthy screen boundaries for kids

9. Lower the Lights and Create a Calm Environment

Dimming the lights in your home signals your body that it’s time to rest.

You can also:

Turn off overhead lighting
Light a candle

Use calming scents

These small changes make your evening routine for moms feel more intentional and soothing.

10. Choose Rest Over “One More Task”

This might be the hardest habit, but it’s also one of the most important habits for an evening routine for moms.

There will always be one more thing to do. Choosing to rest is not laziness; it’s necessary.

Giving yourself permission to stop is an essential part of a healthy evening routine for moms.

Tips for Creating an Evening Routine For Moms That Actually Sticks

Start with just 1–2 habits

Keep it flexible — not every night will look the same
Adjust based on the season of motherhood you’re in
Progress matters more than consistency

Your routine should support you, not stress you out.

final Thoughts

An effective evening routine for moms doesn’t require perfection, expensive products, or hours of free time. It’s built on small, realistic habits that help you feel calmer at night and more prepared in the morning.

Choose what works for you, leave the rest, and remember…rest is part of being productive!