The P.M. Routines That Help Us Sleep Better and Wake Up Glowing

There are only so many hours between leaving your office and your head hitting the pillow, and what you choose to do with them can make a major impact on how ready you feel to take on the next day.

I know what I need to do to properly unwind and sleep well—but I was curious what that means for other SELF staffers. Among the most popular responses: mocktails, journaling, and snuggling up with some curiously shaped pillows.

From very practical to pretty luxurious, the rituals we lean on help us feel restored and ready for the next day. Keep scrolling—we’re dishing on all of our favorites for a better night’s sleep below.

Our top picks

1. Amazon Kindle Paperwhite
2. Brooklinen Classic Hardcore Sheet Bundle
3. Caudalie Instant Detox Mask
4. Coyuchi Cirrus Supersoft Organic Cotton Throw
5. L’Occitane Cocon de Sérénité Relaxing Pillow Mist
6. Papier Rise and Shine Gratitude Journal

Jessica Kasparian, commerce writer

Loves time-saving products that help her evening unfold smoothly

Once I get home from the office, I change into workout clothes and have a snack before heading to the gym. I strength train, which sometimes means bringing small equipment with me (like ankle cuffs or a hip thrust pad), but mostly I rely on three things: headphones, a water bottle, and sturdy shoes.

My AirPods Pro get a lot of love because I can’t work out without some kind of entertainment, whether it’s music, a podcast, or an audiobook. Plus, they’re noise-canceling, so I don’t have to hear other people (or myself) huffing and puffing or loud weights clunking.

To stay hydrated, I fill up my Owala water bottle and sip through the straw spout in between sets of squats, lunges, or whatever’s on my program for that day.

The Nike Metcon 6 sneakers are a new addition to my gym routine—they have great arch support but are still flat in the toe box and under the heel to keep me steady, which is key for weightlifting.

After the gym, it’s time to shower and refuel. Whenever I get into a dinner rut, I sign up for a meal delivery service to give me some inspiration and to save me some trips to the grocery store. One of my favorites is HelloFresh—every dish comes with sauces and spices that lend a ton of flavor. The instructions are super easy to follow and the food cooks up pretty quick, but I feel like I’m eating a restaurant-quality meal.

My day simply won’t end until I’ve had a sweet treat, so I never skip dessert. For the last year, I’ve been obsessed with Tru Fru’s White & Dark Chocolate Frozen Whole Raspberries—and that’s saying something, because fruit and chocolate isn’t a combination I usually like. They’re a 10/10 dessert (no notes).

I usually get a second wind after eating dinner, so I try to chill out instead of, say, reorganizing my entire closet or starting a complicated craft at 10 p.m. That’s where my Kindle comes in. This little gadget is genius: It keeps a charge for days, and I can dim the screen and add warm light that won’t mess with my tired eyes. I love being able to change up what I’m reading with just a few clicks too.

Lastly, I can’t talk about my nighttime essentials without shouting out my Brooklinen sheets. I’ve had the brand’s Classic Hardcore Sheet Bundle and duvet insert for two years, and they give my bed that crisp, polished hotel look and feel.

I truly never wanted for any other sheets, until my mom gifted me the Washed Linen Core Sheet Set. Linen seems like it would be scratchy and uncomfortable to sleep on, but it’s like a more breathable version of flannel, if you ask me. They’re soft, warm, and absolutely dreamy for the cooler months.

Sarah Felbin, senior commerce editor

Prioritizes self care to refill her cup for the next day

SELF’s senior commerce editor decompresses by watching her favorite TV shows and sipping on a non-alcoholic bev. “I think it’s important to have something little to look forward to every day—I always get excited for my mocktail during my afternoon commute because it’s something I get to do just for myself. It helps my brain shift into ‘evening mode,’” she says.

She almost always has a bottle of Töst in her fridge: “It’s a bright, bubbly iced tea that feels like a true treat!” Recently, she’s also been stocking up on Bruce Cost’s Ginger Ale with Pomegranate and Hibiscus: “It has a slight bite from the fresh ginger but really lovely sweet and tart notes from the pomegranate and hibiscus,” she says.

Pro tip: “I always pour them into a wine glass so it feels extra special.”

“After my mocktail, it’s time for a face mask,” Sarah says. “I have sensitive skin and an oily T-zone. Translation: Washing my face (even a double cleanse!) isn’t always enough to get all of the dirt, sweat, and general gunk out. These masks are gentle but effective.”

With Glow Recipe’s Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask, she sees overnight results: “My face looks smoother and more even every time I use it,” she says. “While I’m testing new beauty products frequently, this is one I always come back to.”

When she wants an at-home facial, she reaches for Caudalie’s Instant Detox Mask, which (comfortably) tightens and pulls gunk out of her pores. “I love being able to see the evidence close up—it’s particularly good at busting stubborn sebaceous filaments on my nose and chin.”

Once she’s ready for bed, it’s time for Sarah to gear up so she can hit the hay. “New York is noisy! To block out sirens, car horns, and my nemesis—the trash truck—only the best sleep mask and earplugs will do,” she says.

“My Nodpod is weighted—the soothing pressure helps me drift off to sleep faster (without making me feel like I’m suffocating, like a weighted blanket often does).” One side of the mask is smooth and stays cool to the touch, which is extra soothing during warm months, while the other is delightfully soft and fuzzy.

To filter out the sounds of the city, she swears by Loop’s Quiet 2 ear plugs: “Each pair comes with extra ear tips in various sizes, so you can find the perfect fit,” she says. “They nestle perfectly inside your ear, so you won’t feel them between your head and the pillow if you’re a side or stomach sleeper. Plus, they come with a tiny case for travel (or just keeping them together).”

Sara Coughlin, senior commerce writer

Finally stops moving for the day and does what she can to mitigate next-day soreness

Between working, rock climbing, and taking her pup for frequent walks, SELF’s senior commerce editor stays busy during the day. “By dinnertime, I’m ready to come to a complete stop and park it on the couch with my dog and boyfriend,” she says.

“While we relax, catch up on each other’s days, and watch our go-to shows, I want to be maximally comfy.” Her loungewear must-have? Wellow’s Knee High Compression Socks. “They gently squeeze and massage my calves and feel blissfully soft against my feet.”

As she kicks back, she cozies up with Coyuchi’s Cirrus Supersoft Organic Cotton Throw. “My dog has several throws that are solely hers, but this mid-weight cotton one from Coyuchi is (mostly) mine,” she says. “It’s snuggly, soft, and surprisingly warm. It’s easily the best looking blanket I own, so I love leaving it out and draped across the back of the couch.”

“Before sliding into bed, I slather myself in moisturizing products, pretty much from head to toe,” Sara says. To hydrate her face, she goes with Naturium’s Intense Overnight Sleeping Cream, which is the richest and thickest moisturizer she’s tried: “It feels like a soothing paste that slowly sinks into my thirsty, redness-prone skin,” she says.

Taking a page out of the slugging playbook, she applies a thin layer of Vaseline Petroleum Jelly Original on top to seal all of that moisture in.

For everywhere else, Alba Botanica’s Daily Moisturizing Lotion for Sensitive Skin gets the job done. “It absorbs rapidly and makes it easy to moisturize the rest of my body,” she says. “When I want to give some special attention to extra-dry areas, I’ll dab on some of Ren’s Clean Skincare Evercalm Barrier Support Body Balm. It’s silky smooth, melts into my skin, and smells incredible.”

Then it’s time for bed. “I put my back through a lot every day, so the least I can do is give it a few hours of comfort while I snooze,” Sara says. She reaches for Everlasting’s Comfort Knee Pillow: “I situate it between my legs to better align my lower body before drifting off to dreamland,” she says.

To support her neck and shoulders in her go-to side-sleeping position, she relies on the Pillow Cube Side Cube—a rectangular foam cushion that she says feels soft under her head but is still supportive enough to keep her bottom shoulder from scrunching up. “With these two funny-shaped pillows, I wake up feeling more like myself (and less like a ball of knots).”

Katie Gunderman, associate social media manager

Can’t wait to reset and maximize her horizontal time

Most days, our associate social media manager heads straight from the office to the gym, where she joins a HIIT class or runs and lifts weights.

Her first order of business when she finally steps in her apartment? “A life-changing shower to rinse off the work day and the sweat from my workout.” Her shower products need to do the most to get her feeling fresh again.

“Maria Nila’s Heal Shampoo and Conditioner smell amazing and make my hair and scalp feel so clean,” she says. “And Monday’s Moisture Bodywash leaves my skin feeling so soft.” To lock in that moisture, she layers on the luxurious yet afforable Neutrogena’s Body Oil. “It smells like I’ve been laying in a field of jasmine,” Katie says.

After showering, Katie goes through her skin care routine and slips into pajamas. She starts off with CeraVe’s Foaming Facial Cleanser to get rid of any last traces of makeup or sweat. “While my face is still damp, I use Hyper’s Brightening Dark Spot Vitamin C Serum, which makes me feel radiant and helps brighten my skin,” she says. Once it dries, she follows up with Dr. Jart’s Ceramidin Skin Barrier Moisturizing Cream: “It locks in moisture but absorbs quickly and doesn’t feel too heavy on my skin,” she says.

“Then, I use Saltair’s Body Butter in Pink Beach on my legs and arms—it smells amazing and keeps my skin hydrated.”

“My last step before continuing on with my evening—a.k.a. cooking dinner and yapping with my best friend—is tossing on sweats and slippers,” Katie says. Her favorites are Dearfoam’s Shearling Platform Bootie: “They're so cute and cushy—perfect for puttering around the house.”

Next, it’s time to plop down into bed to watch some TV. “My roomie and I are currently rewatching Scandal, which I highly recommend if you haven’t seen it yet,” she says. Instead of ending the night with a sweet treat, Katie leans savory and goes for a bag of Trader Joe’s Rolled Corn Tortilla Chips, Chili & Lime Flavored. “They’ve had a grip on me for quite some time now. They are the right amount of lime, not too spicy, and perfectly crunchy.”

Once tensions are sufficiently high between Olivia, Fitz, and Jake (if you know you know), she’s ready to shut down the drama and bring some chill back into her atmosphere. To set the vibe, she sprays L’Occitane’s Cocon de Sérénité Relaxing Pillow Mist over her bed and cozies up under her covers.

“The scent is so relaxing and serene and helps me transition into a calming sleep state,” she says. “I have been using this for a few months, and it has become an integral part of my routine.”

Paige Levinson, special projects coordinator

Needs some quality R&R to decompress and reflect on the day

Like Katie, Paige looks forward to her nightly shower: “There’s truly nothing better after a long day working, running errands, and maybe getting a little messy cooking dinner,” she says.

Her holy shower grail is Glossier’s Body Hero Daily Oil Wash: “While it’s a little bit of a splurge, the wash smells so unbelievably good (orange blossom neroli!) and feels really light and smooth. It makes me feel so fresh and clean and totally elevates my shower game,” she says.

Her other must-have isn’t skin or hair care—it’s JBL’s Go 3 waterproof speaker. “The sound quality is incredible for such a small speaker and the portable size allows you to take it anywhere. It’s perfect for a shower concert or solo jam sesh!” Paige says. “And yes, I’ll admit it—I do sing in the shower.”

“While waiting for my hair to dry, I head straight for the couch and turn on the TV for an episode or two of a lighthearted sitcom to put me in a good mood before bed,” Paige says. Naturally, she needs a snack. “I usually indulge in some kettle corn (Boom Chicka Pop Sweet and Salty Kettle Corn is my fave) or Trader Joe’s Dark Chocolate PB Cups. I love ending the night with a little sweet treat and either snack makes for a perfectly light and satisfying bite.”

Paige ends her night journaling. “I find that reflecting on my day can help calm my racing mind before bed, whether it be a stream-of-consciousness brain dump or an intentional deep dive into my feelings,” she says.

She reaches for Paper Mate’s Flair Pens because they come in a ton of colors and won’t smudge or bleed through paper. She’s had Moleskine’s Classic Hard Cover Pocket Notebook for years and says it holds up well; plus it has a ribbon bookmark so she doesn’t have to thumb through to find her last entry.

“I’ve also been really loving the prompted journals from Papier—specifically the gratitude journal,” Paige says. “It comes in so many aesthetically pleasing hard covers, and the interior of the journal is really easy to follow,” she says. “It feels really good falling asleep thinking about everything you’re grateful for and what you’re looking forward to doing tomorrow.”

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