Cozy Hygge Bedtime Rituals to Try Tonight will get you started rethinking your evening rhythm and instead create one that will give you an optimal night sleep.
“The key to forming good habits is to make them part of your ‘rituals.’ I have a morning ritual, afternoon ritual, and Sunday ritual. It’s one way to bundle good habits into regular time that you set aside to prepare yourself for the life you want. Rituals help you form habits.” – Lewish Homes
After a hectic day, most of us just fall into bed without decompressing, only to start another busy day the following morning.
What if we changed that routine and made bedtime a sacred period where we nourished ourselves instead? Once we examine the way we live our life and create an intentional way of living, we can transform how our days unfold.
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Since you love hygge, I’m guessing you like all things cozy living. I created a Facebook group called Creating a Cozy Life with over 24,000 like-minded souls.
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Here are the Cozy Hygge Bedtime Rituals to Try Tonight:
Hygge Bedtime Ritual #1 – Pick a bedtime.
Stay consistent with what time you go to bed and follow this routine even on the weekends. Eventually, your body will naturally start winding down after the habit is consistently in place.
This one change to your schedule can help prevent the time it takes you to fall asleep. This means no more endless tossing and turning each night.
Sticking to a consistent sleep schedule will also help with your stress levels, according to a study made at The Ohio State University.
Scientists discovered in 2017 on a study of college students that having a consistent sleep schedule leads to an overall sense of happiness and well-being. It also added to healthiness and calmness facing day-to-day activities. You can find information about that study here.
Creating a standard sleep window also helps improve your metabolism according to this study.
They conducted a study on people that have rotating shifts and the impact of the schedule on their metabolisms. I don’t know abut you, but anything that will help my metabolism I’m going to do.
Hygge Bedtime Ritual #2 – Power down.
Turn off the television, internet, and phone at least one hour before bedtime. You want to signal to your body that it’s time to relax.
By shutting off the stimulation early that keeps you awake, you’ll have more time to decompress. I have experienced many sleepless nights because I made the mistake of checking social media or my emails right before I went to bed.
I learned that everything can wait until morning to be dealt with. If something happened that really needed my attention, I know that I will get a message from one of my friends or colleagues.
Hygge Bedtime Ritual #3 – Candlelight bath.
There is nothing that equals a warm bath in my mind for winding down. I got into this habit years ago, and whenever I’m having trouble sleeping, I get up and take a bath.
Adding candlelight makes this nightly routine even cozier. Add two cups of Epsom salts mixed with 10 drops of lavender essential oil to your bath for a deeper rest tonight.
Just be sure to complete the bath at least one hour before bedtime to ensure optimal sleep.
One of the members of the Cozy Living Group goes all out for her bath time. She tries different products and scents and shows us pictures of her tub before she begins her nightly routine.
Buying bath products can be a pricey over time, why not start making your own so you can save some money and you know what ingredients are every batch homemade bath items. Here’s a book on Amazon that teaches you to make your own bath items.
Hygge Bedtime Ritual #4 – Layer your bed.
You spend 1/3 of your life in bed, so make sure its comfortable and you have the right sheets and blankets.
Pillows are important. I have four pillows on my bed, two long pillows and two short pillows. Two pillows for each side of your bed is one of the easiest things you can do to cozy up your bed.
I also have two bolsters for reading before bedtime.
Layers of blankets and lots of pillows create a comfy cocoon that will ensure a beautiful night’s sleep. I love sheets that are lightweight and soft to the touch.
In the winter, flannel sheets are the perfect choice for keeping you cozy and warm. There’s so many cute designs out there to pick from.
My cousin changes all the bedding in her home to snowflake flannel sheets when the first snowfall starts. It’s a family tradition that everyone loves.
Cable-knit blankets are all the rage right now for a reason. You’ll go to bed feeling like you’re wrapped in a giant sweater!
Topping your bed with faux fur is also a way to make your bed look and feel luxurious.
Hygge Bedtime Ritual #5 – Goodnight moon.
Make it a ritual to go outside, wrapped in a blanket, and say goodnight to the moon. We forget how the most beautiful things in the world are free.
Did you know that the full moon names were given by the Native Americans of North America to keep track of the seasons according to the Farmers Almanac?
Here are the dates of the 2020/2021 full moon names and dates:
January 28th, 2021 – Wolf Moon
February 27th, 2021 – Snow Moon
March 28th, 2021 – Worm Moon
April 27th, 2021 – Pink Moon
May 26th, 2021 – Flower Moon
June 24th, 2021 – Strawberry Moon
July 24th, 2021 – Buck Moon
August 22nd, 2021 – Sturgeon Moon
September 20th, 2021 – Corn Moon
October 1st, 2020 – Harvest Moon
October 31st, 2020 – Blue Moon
November 30th, 2020 – Beaver Moon
December 29th, 2020 – Cold Moon
Hygge Bedtime Ritual #6 – Tea please.
There’s something so wonderful about drinking a warm cup of tea.
It’s amazing something so simple is bursting with flavor and warms you to the tip of your toes. Make sure you keep a variety of tea on hand and buy special seasonal teas when available.
Here are some of the best teas to ensure a restful night ahead:
Chamomile Tea –
This beautiful flower not only looks great but also calms the nervous system and helps relax nerves. It’s also a natural sedative, so falling asleep will be much easier if you drink a cup before bed.
Chamomile tea is also chock full of antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties that boost the immune system.
The flowers were originally native to India, western Asia, and western Europe. It is now grown abundantly in the United States.
Recipe for Chamomile tea:
1) Boil 8 ounces of water and place in a mug.
2) Add 2 tablespoons chamomile buds to a tea ball or strainer
3) Steep for 10 minutes.
4) Remove tea ball or strainer and enjoy.
For organic ready-made tea bags, try Traditional Medicinals Organic Chamomile Herbal Tea here.
Hawthorne Tea –
The Hawthorn bush is in the rose family and helps lower blood pressure and tension. It also helps improve your sleep patterns.
Recipe for Hawthorn berry tea:
1) Boil 8 ounces of water and place in a mug.
2) Add 1 teaspoons dried Hawthorn berries to a tea ball or strainer
3) Steep for 10 minutes.
4) Remove tea ball or strainer and enjoy.
Organic Hawthorn berry tea bags can be found here on Amazon.
Lavender Tea –
You knew that the scent of lavender was great for sleeping, but do you know that lavender tea is a great stress reliever too? Lavender tea has been used for thousands of years to help with sleep and help with tension.
Lavender was originally native to the mountainous regions of the Mediterranean. Because of the benefits found in this flowering bush, it is now grown all over the world.
Honey lavender stress relief tea is the perfect remedy to a not-so-great day.
Recipe for Lavender tea:
1) Boil 8 ounces of water and place in a mug.
2) Add 1 tablespoon culinary lavender buds to a tea ball or strainer
3) Steep for 10 minutes.
4) Remove tea ball or strainer and enjoy.
If you prefer ready-made teabags, you can find Honey Lavender tea here on Amazon.
Other teas you might want to try to prevent tossing and turning are lemon balm, Valerian root, Passionflower, and Magnolia bark tea.
Hygge Bedtime Ritual #7 – Fairy lights.
Fairy lights add magic wherever they are placed. We all know how beautiful a Christmas tree looks in your home, so why not have that beauty all year round by adding some fairy lights in your bedroom?
Turn off harsh lights and sit in the twinkling wonder of your room before drifting off to sleep.
Did you know they sell sheer curtains with twinkle lights weaved throughout them? You can hang a curtain behind your headboard for a beautiful way to end the night. You can find the curtains here on Amazon.
Take deep breaths and marinate in the peacefulness.
Hygge Bedtime Ritual #8 – Be grateful.
Every night write in a journal what you are grateful for today.
There’s a shift that happens in all of us when we learn to focus on what’s right with our lives, instead of rewinding the day and thinking of what went wrong.
For more ideas on gratefulness, read this post 21 Gratitude Quotes to Unlock Your Blessings.
Hygge Bedtime Ritual #9 – Keep it cool.
You’ll want to keep your bedroom room temperature at a level that’s not too cold and not too warm.
The optimal temperature to keep your bedroom for a perfect night’s sleep is between 60-67 degrees.
Hygge Bedtime Ritual #10 – Get lost.
Let a special book take you to another time and place.
Make it a nightly ritual to read before bedtime and give yourself that quiet time to take your mind off yourself and let your imagination soar.
I even love to read cookbooks that have stories attached to the recipes before bed. Anything food related makes me happy, so I find cookbooks are the perfect vehicle to ensure a peaceful night’s rest.
One of my favorite memoir series was written by one of my favorite cookbook authors. She had so many stories to tell, she divided up her life in three different books – complete with watercolor illustrations. You can find my favorite memoir book series here on Amazon.
Hygge Bedtime Ritual #11 – Scented dreams.
Lavender, Jasmine, Lemon and Bergamot are just a few of the scents that promote rest.
By using aromatherapy every evening, you’ll find yourself in a deep, relaxing sleep.
You can have dried herbs in a bowl or use a diffuser to make envelope your bedroom into a dreamy state.
To soothe away stress, mix one or two drops of rosemary essential oil with a dollop of unscented lotion. Massage your hands with this mixture.
According to Woman’s World magazine, the combination of using cortisol-busting rosemary and a hand massage sends a relaxation signal through your nerve endings within 60 seconds!
Spritzing your sheets with lavender linen spray will help ensure a deeper sleep, according to a University of Minnesota researchers report.
You can make your own lavender linen spray with this recipe.
Hygge Bedtime Ritual #12 – Snuggle up.
Snuggling with your loved one is the perfect way to end the evening. Physical touch is an essential ingredient to any romantic relationship, so capping your evening off with the one you love is the perfect formula for a peaceful night’s rest.
If you don’t have a significant other, take the time to snuggle with your dog or cat.
Hygge Bedtime Ritual #13 – Warm your eye mask.
According to Woman’s World magazine, if you heat up your face mask in the dryer before going to bed – the warmth prompts the body to release sleep-inducing melatonin.
A study conducted in China found that wearing an eye mask to bed led to a better quality of sleep with less disruptions.
Hygge Bedtime Ritual #14 – Drink tart cherry juice.
Drinking tart cherry juice before bedtime is a perfect way to provide healthy nutrients to your body and help you get better quality rest and lengthen the duration of your sleep.
Naturally rich in the hormone melatonin, tart cherries is a natural way to ensure sweet dreams.
Hygge Bedtime Ritual #15 – Create an Evening Playlist.
Music has a way of soothing our soul. How about creating an evening music playlist of tunes that create that warm and fuzzy feeling we all love?
I love listening to instrumental music before winding down after a hectic day. My favorite piano music is from George Winston. You can listen to his album December here on YouTube.
We’ve reached the end of Hygge Bedtime Rituals to Try Tonight. I hope you enjoyed it.
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Let me know in the comments below how you liked the Hygge Bedtime Rituals to Try Tonight post and if you included any of the ideas into your life.
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Pin this post below on your hygge board on Pinterest to refer back to it again and again.
Thanks for stopping by. I’m so happy you found us!
To find out more about Hygge – here are some books you might be interested in:
Little Book of Hygge – Danish Secrets to Happy Living
Related Hygge Posts:
Cozy Hygge Morning Rituals to Try Today
Best Hygge Books to Inspire a Cozy Life
11 Hygge Quotes to Change Your Life
Hygge Family Dinner Traditions to Start Tonight
How to Make a Backyard Hygge Garden
Hygge at Work: Turn Your Office Into a Cozy Place
How to Add Hygge Elements to Your Cleaning Routine
Loved this article. I was crannnnky today and then read this. I gathered the kids from their beds, went out to tell the moon goodnight, posted a gratitude, and redirected.
Hello Pamela! You and I must of had the same kind of day today! 🙂 Thank you for writing in. I love your word “redirect” – that’s exactly what we need to do! Thanks again, Kelly
I’m all about decompressing from a hectic day. I do a few but you feminine of a few more. Thanks for sharing.
You’re welcome Barbara. Thanks for writing in! Kelly
Loved this!! I have really been getting into finding ways to slow down and appreciate all that is around me and I am looking forward to starting some of these rituals tonight.
Hello Lisa! Thanks for writing in. I’m glad you’re going to embrace Hygge at bedtime! Kelly
After a busy Black Friday and crabby shoppers, this article helped ground me in simplicity. Thank you~
Hello Candice! Thanks for commenting. It really does just boil down to the simple things in life and the best. Happy Holidays! Kelly
I just bought the “Making Winter” Hygge book at Joannes Fabrics! I love it so much! I am just learning what hygge is and I see it everywhere now. Instagram, pinterest. It really is a splendid way of living to be honest. This bedtime ritual is a neccessity in my crazy life. I have insomnia and I have been trying to go without taking medication. Sleep has always been a struggle for me. I’ve tried many different routines and “no electronics an hour before bed” But this ritual seems long enough and maybe if I do it long enough it will help me. “repetition is key”
Hello Kenisha! Thanks for writing in. Rituals totally work. My favorite is a hot bath hands down. One of the recent things I discovered is enjoying a fresh veggie juice knocks me out too! Kelly
Love this! I felt so relaxed just reading this!! I LOVE twinkle lights in my room, sets the best vibe!
Hello Leila! Thanks for writing in. Yes, there is something so magical about twinkle lights. Kelly
I live in Bigfork, MT. I am thrilled I found the Montana Happy site!!! I’m very into Hygge, it’s amazing. I’m a caregiver to my soon to be 100 year old Dad.
Hello Judy! I LOVE Bigfork! I even did a post about it! I’m so glad you liked the article. I have several other Hygge posts on the site! Thanks again, Kelly
One nightly ritual I have done for years is to give myself a nice foot rub with scented cream. Not only does it lessen my ache feet the scent is soothing.
Hello Sunshine! That sounds divine! I’m going to have try that. Kelly
Thank you so much for this post! My husband and I are going to be doing a one month challenge of no TV and I think this will be the perfect time to begin these bedtime rituals. Such a wonderful way to end the day together.
Hello Shannon! One month with no TV? That’s fabulous! I bet you’ll love the free time together. Thanks for writing in! Kelly
Hi,
Great stuff!! A couple of your suggestions I do now – like read before bed and pray –
Hello Lillian! I’m so glad you liked it! The biggest thing I’m working on right now is shifting my mind to the positive and putting myself into a better place. Thanks for writing in!
Omg this is something I totally need to start doing and I’m going to start tonight. Some of the things I already do like pray to God every morning and before night with my kids and reading a good book… right now “The Last Mrs. Parrish “ and it is a page turner I’m almost finish with book. I have a difusser that I’m going to take up stairs and put in my room. I’m super excited. SO excited about stopping by. I love the gratitude journal as well, we sometimes forget the little things and being greatful is a key thing to being happy and joyful of being alive. I’m about to read your winter one next. Oh and we have a fire pit so I will be lighting that tonight while looking at the sky…Thank you so much! Have a beautiful and blessed day. ✌?
Hello Cherie! Thank you so much for writing in! I’m so glad you got so much out of the post. This has been one of my most popular posts so far because life is so stressful and we just have to take the time to slow down and nourish ourselves throughout the day. I’ll have to check out that book! Kelly
These are all such good ideas! It’s true, we sometimes forget how the most beautiful things in the world are free. ?
Hello Ashley! Yes, some of the most beautiful things are free and we all forget that. Thanks for writing in! Kelly
Great article! With the hectic 9-5 ( or in my case 7-5!) it is so easy to forget how important it is to practise self-care, and these hygge rituals are just spot on!
I am definitely one for candles along with soothing music or an audio book, too.
Thanks again,
Cleo 🙂
Hello Cleo! Thanks for writing in. I’m so glad you enjoyed the article. Have a fabulous day! Kelly
Hi Ive got into a rut and don’t look forward to going to bed on my own…so I am certainly going to try some of these things to make my bedtime more attractive.Thankyou
Hello Marian! Making your bedroom more cozy will make it more enticing to spending time there alone. I love my fairy lights. My bedroom and porch have them. Kelly
I turned my tv off an hour before I went to bed and read my book.I had a brill nights sleep in fact turned my alarm off and fell back to sleep lol.Thankfully got to work on time tho!
Marian, I’m so glad you’re taking care of yourself. Reading a book before bed is the perfect way to end the night. Thanks for letting us know! Kelly
Ive done it two nights on the trot and best nights sleep Ive had in ages?
This is soooo good!!! I dream of hygge and your list is so practical and easy to execute. I really needed to see this today, especially gratitude. I feel cozy already and look forward to incorporating these rituals. Thank you!
Hello Monica! A blank canvas is the perfect way to begin! Now your space can be all yours and you can create a perfect world for your soul in your own backyard. Kelly
Hello Jackie! Thanks for letting me know. Life can be rough out there, so it’s important to take the time to give back to yourself. I just wrote another post today about transforming your backyard in to a hygge retreat. Kelly
I’ve been looking for a word that describes what I’m seeking in my life. Especially with my little children. I look forward to implamenting all of these with my little ones in the evening. I’m excited to start this journey.
Hello Ames! I’m so glad you found the article. Hygge is the perfect way to live your life and share the wonders of the world with your children. Thanks for letting me know. Kelly
Great article! I love your suggestion to say goodnight to the moon! I think it is super sweet and peaceful. I also enjoy using essentials oils.. I have a pillow spray that does wonders! Thanks for sharing!
Hello Paige! Thanks for letting me know. I appreciate it! Kelly