Hygge Bedtime Rituals – Evening Routine Ideas You’ll Love!

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 at the end of a long day.

If you’re looking for more ideas on how to transform your life, take a look at Cozy Hygge Morning Routines to Try Today and Hygge Ideas on Ultimate Self Care.

“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.”

Lewis Howes

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.

Successful people set up their next day with nightly rituals. You don’t have to try all these ideas at once, just pick one new habit and do it until it becomes routine. These ideas will help you achieve a deep sleep which will help with your energy levels throughout the day.

Creating a Cozy Life Group

Since you found this article on hygge bedtime rituals, I’m guessing you like all things cozy living. I created a Facebook group called Creating a Cozy Life with over 100,000 like-minded souls.

It’s a group where we share recipes, pictures of things that leave you in awe, and ideas on how to make your life just a little bit more snug.  Join here to be part of the virtual cozy cabin.

Here are the Cozy Hygge Bedtime Rituals to Try Tonight:

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 willing to do.

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.

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 better sleep 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.

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.

5) Goodnight moon  

Make it an evening 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 for the full moons in 2023:

January 6th, 2023 – Wolf Moon

February 5th, 2023 – Snow Moon

March 7th, 2023 – Worm Moon

April 6th, 2023 – Pink Moon

May 5th, 2023 – Flower Moon

June 3rd, 2023 – Strawberry Moon

July 3rd, 2023 – Buck Moon

August 1st, 2023 – Sturgeon Moon

August 30th, 2023 – Blue Moon

September 29th, 2023 – Harvest Moon

October 28th, 2023 – Hunter’s Moon

November 27th, 2023 – Beaver Moon

December 26th, 2023 – Cold Moon

6) Tea please 

There’s something so wonderful about drinking a warm cup of tea.

Here’s a bedtime tea formula that will ensure a good night’s rest.

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.

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.

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.  

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.

Did you know your body temperature decreases while you sleep?  If you keep your bedroom temperature too warm, your body will try and regulate itself.  This keeps you from having optimal sleep.

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.  

According to a study from Sleep Junkie, people who read before bed end up sleeping 14 minutes more per night compared to those who don’t read.

11) Scented dreams 

Lavender, jasmine, lemon, vanilla, 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.  

Inhaling a whiff of vanilla has been proven to help you fall asleep 20 minutes sooner and sleep more soundly.

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.

13) Warm your eye mask  

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.

During warm summer months you can keep your eye mask in the freezer for a cooling experience that will help rest come quickly.

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.

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.  

16) Cozy pajamas

Finding the right pajamas is worth the investment and time you put into searching for the perfect sets.  The only problem is when you find a brand you love, you may never want to take them off.

One of my favorite pajama sets was pale blue with white fluffy clouds.  The pajamas were made of flannel, which made them even more special.

I think once a month should be dedicated to pajama days.  Staying home in your favorite pajamas and making your favorite comfort foods would be a to-do list worth completing.

17) Open your windows for a few minutes

I read an article in Woman’s World magazine that talked about the benefits of opening your windows every day for a few minutes.

One of the reasons it is a good idea to make this habit is to lower the carbon dioxide levels in your home.

According to the article, it will help you fall asleep 23% faster.  Who knew something so simple would help us get the one thing most of us need more of – sleep?

18) Write down the things you have to do tomorrow

How many times have we gone to bed and find ourselves unable to sleep?  All of our thoughts from the day are swirling in our head.

Charlotte Bronte wrote, “A ruffled mind makes a restless pillow.”

Making sure you write everything you need to do for the next day before climbing into bed will help us fall asleep faster.  Keep a notebook on your bedside table and purge your thoughts before settling down, so you don’t have to think about those things until the next day.

Simple tip:  place a binder clip on the front cover of your notebook and let that clip attach your pen to the notebook, so you never have to go looking for one.

19) Setting the stage

Having things prepared for the next day will help you have a better morning tomorrow.

It will also relax your mind tonight because you know your morning routine will flow so much better.

Pick out your outfit you’ll be wearing tomorrow and hang it in a place that will be easy to grab.

Make sure you check the weather for tomorrow before selecting your clothing and accessories.  You don’t want any surprises.

Also, check your schedule to verify you don’t have any important meetings you will have to dress up for.

Preparing your meals in advance for the day is also a good habit to instill.  Have your lunch and snack packs ready to go, and know what you’ll be having for breakfast.

Knowing that you won’t have to rush around in the morning will help you rest with ease.

20) Enveloped in darkness and quiet

Eliminate any light sources that can interrupt your sleep.

You can purchase blackout shades or curtains for complete darkness if you live somewhere that gets artificial light.

21) Your own blanket

How many times do you wake up in the middle of the night because you’re cold, and the reason is your partner is hogging the blanket?

Instead of having a tug-of-war for covers, simply have your own blanket that you can have all to yourself.

22) Hot foot bath 

If you don’t have time for a full bath, do the next best thing to help create a restful night – a hot foot bath.  The hot foot bath will help you sleep because it draws blood away from the head.

According to The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Healing Remedies, adding a little mustard powder to the water will increase the effect.

23) Focus on happiness

What makes your heart happy?  The evening hours are the perfect time to do something you enjoy.

Whether the source of joy is working on a hobby, looking through pictures at happy memories, or adding ideas to your vision board – let your last thoughts at night be a source of nourishment to your day.

We all know that plants need fertilizer to grow, yet somehow we think that we can go without doing something good for ourselves day after day without consequences.

Even 20 minutes a night devoted to doing something you love will give you the energy to handle day-to-day stress better.

24) Houseplants 

Having houseplants in your bedroom can help you fall asleep at night.  They take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen into the air – which will help you sleep better.

Houseplants have also been shown to reduce stress, according to scientific studies.  They add ambiance to your bedroom, and a more beautiful bedroom adds to our peace and happiness.

25) One question

At the end of every day, Benjamin Franklin would ask himself, “What good have I done today?”  I love this idea.

If you ask yourself that question each night, you’re more likely to prioritize your day with at least one positive action that will have a ripple effect on people’s lives.  How amazing is that?

By focusing on the positive effect you had on the world before going to bed, it is sure to enter your subconscious mind and boost your confidence.

26) Crackling fire 

There’s something so soothing about a crackling fire.

According to scientists at the University of Alabama, spending just 20 minutes at the end of the day can lower your blood pressure by six points.

The reason for this significant drop in blood pressure is that watching the flames dance and listening to the crackling sounds is mesmerizing.  Repetitive movements calms the central nervous system and help ensures a restful sleep.

If you don’t have a fireplace, there are plenty of YouTube videos of virtual fireplaces with or without background music.

Since I don’t have a fireplace in my office, I have the YouTube fireplace video playing on my computer while I write.  I love the one that also has relaxing piano music.

Evening Routine

27) Smell the roses

Smelling roses before you go to bed at night leads to three times happier dreams, according to First for Women magazine.  

We knew that roses were good for our soul, but helping us have sweeter dreams makes them irresistable.

28) Prayer

There’s no more powerful way to end your day than in prayer. It’s the nighttime routine that pays off in dividends.

29) Tidy up

One of the cozy living members found a way to keep her home clean. She made a pledge to put her house to bed every evening by tidying up. She found it also helped her sleep better knowing she wouldn’t wake up to a mess. I love that idea!

We’ve reached the end of Hygge Bedtime Rituals to Try Tonight.  I hope you enjoyed it.

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.

Make sure you join our Creating a Cozy Life – Hygge Style Facebook group.  You’re not going to believe how amazing it is.  Join here to be part of the virtual cozy cabin.

Pin this post below on your hygge board on Pinterest to refer back to it again.

Thanks for stopping by.  I’m so happy you found us!

To find out more about Hygge – here is a book you might be interested in:

Little Book of Hygge – Danish Secrets to Happy Living 

Related Hygge Bedtime Posts:

• 31 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
• How to Create a Hygge Bathroom
• Creating a Hygge Bedroom You’ll Never Want to Leave
• How to Hygge When You’re Sick
• Best Hygge Books to Inspire a Cozy Life

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