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

These small steps make a big difference.

Sara Coughlin / Katie Gunderman / Paige Levinson / Jessica Kasparian / Laneen Wells

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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 picksAmazon Kindle PaperwhiteBrooklinen Classic Hardcore Sheet BundleCaudalie Instant Detox MaskCoyuchi Cirrus Supersoft Organic Cotton ThrowL’Occitane Cocon de Sérénité Relaxing Pillow MistPapier Rise and Shine Gratitude JournalJessica Kasparian, commerce writerLoves 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.