If you’d like to relax and enjoy your evening, learn how to create the ultimate bedtime self-care kit! You’ll be able to use it each night before bed, or whenever you’re needing an extra pick-me-up on those days you’re depressed or anxious.

Relaxing before bed is one of the most important and wonderful things you can do for yourself, especially if you’re incredibly busy.

I’m a big believer in relaxing before bed. Read why it’s so important here.

When you use your evening to relax and rejuvenate, you feel incredibly refreshed the next day. There’s no substitute for it. Yes, I know you have tons of things to do and the house desperately needs cleaning. Go ahead and do those things, but spend only a few minutes on them.

Instead of spending the whole evening working on chores, I invite you to relax. It’s a beautiful (and rare!) thing to just sit and relax and enjoy the last part of your evening before bed. It’ll help you sleep better, make you happier in general, and actually give you MORE energy to get those to-do’s done.

Podcast Version

Below is the podcast version of this article. The podcast explains things so much better than a blog post. I invite you to listen so you learn some of “whys” behind the self-care kit.

Putting a Self-Care Kit Together

If you’re new to relaxing before bed, you may wonder what you should do.

Below I have a kit you can create with relaxing things you’ll enjoy. The resources I’m sharing help me relax and I know they’ll do the same for you!

NOTE: These are NOT affiliate links. I’m sharing things I love and will not make any money by telling you these recommendations 🙂 I hope they help you as much as they’ve helped me!

What to Put in Your Self-Care Kit?

Creating a kit is so much fun! 

As you create the kit, keep in mind that the purpose of the kit is to help you RELAX. You’ll want to include only things that are restful, not things that will jazz you up.

When I first started with my self-care, I used to do my hobby just before bed. I’d make cards or do other artwork. This was the worst thing ever! I was in my creative zone, excited and vibrant, and there’s no way I could sleep. As you build your kit, keep in mind that you want it to contain things that will relax you so you can get a good night’s rest. {The latest thriller should not be in your kit….just saying…}

You also want it to contain things that are so wonderful and nurturing, that you actually want use it. After all, this kit is competing with your phone and the TV. You’d better make it good so that it wins over electronics as much as possible!

Of course, your kit will be unique since what delights you aren’t the same things that delight me. But I’ll give you a good assortment of things you can choose so you can decide what works for you.

Download Printable

Don’t worry about taking notes! I have a free download for you in the resource library to help you start putting together your kit, one item at a time. Click to download (for the password, click here.)

Click above to Download

Setting The Scene

First, we want to set the scene for you! You want to create an environment where you feel relaxed. Think about when you step into a spa. How do you feel? You might feel a sense of peace and tranquility. The decor is usually beautiful and with muted colors. There’s soft music playing. The lighting is muted.

Below are some things you can do to set the scene in your own home.

1. Candles. First, you can buy some candles. You can use battery-operated (especially recommended if you have young kids). You can buy some beautifully scented candles. I recommend you use all-natural. Candles made from paraffin can actually add a lot of toxins to the air — as bad a cigarette smoke. So natural candles made out of soy or beeswax and essential oils are what I recommend for you.

2. Music. Music is so under-rated! Soothing music will help calm you down after a busy (or difficult) day. It’ll help you get some good sleep so this is really important.I like to use Pandora. I have a subscription so there are no ads. I like the spa station or liquid mind. It’s very zen and makes me feel relaxed and sleepy.I also sometimes use sleep music from my app, Insight timer. This is free so it’s a great option. The sleep music is so relaxing. I’d say of everything you can do, definitely do the music. Sometimes if I have no time for a relaxing routine, I at least turn on the music while I’m getting ready for bed so my brain can start relaxing.

3. Essential Oils. My friend, if you haven’t tried essential oils, you are missing out on one of the most powerful tools available! This will help relax you and everyone in your home — including your kids!! *wink* so it’s a great item to have in your kit. Before bed, I put lavender, cedarwood, and vetiver in my diffuser. I find these oils so relaxing. You can also use chamomile and many others. Like with the synthetic candles, it’s important you use real essential oils. You don’t want to use a cheap brand that adds chemicals or other synthetics to the oil.I like to use the doTerra brand. Whatever brand you use, be sure to research it make sure you’re only breathing in plants!!

Balance is a great blend and is my go-to oil. It has a calming and centering effect on me and I use it just about every day. Serenity is another amazing blend. It helps promote relaxation and sleep. I like to diffuse it the last hour before bed and also while I sleep.

4. Bathrobe & Socks. You definitely want to be comfy when you’re doing your relaxing routine! If you’re still wearing your make-up from the day and your work clothes, you’re not going to have the same relaxing experience.Get ready for bed. Put on your comfy bathrobe. Your socks that don’t pinch your ankles. Whatever you need to feel cozy.

The Scene is Set. What Will You Do Next?

First, you’re probably not going to want to do the same thing each night. Some of you may, but most of you will vary it, at least some nights. You’ll want to have a variety of items in your tool-kit that nourish you, depending on the type of day you’ve had.

So, check-in with yourself. How are you feeling?

Items for Your Kit

If I’ve had a brutal day, I like to do some comforting yoga poses. 

Relaxation Props

1. Bolster. the first item in my kit, which is actually too big to fit in any kit (but let’s just call it part of my kit since that sounds more fun), is a bolster. It’s about three feet long and 1 foot in diameter. It’s pretty big. I keep it in my bedroom closet

Before bed or any time I feel stressed, I like to do supported child’s pose. I keep this bolster in my closet so I can pull it out whenever I need some extra relaxation. If you’d like to learn how to do this pose, click on this youtube video here.

2. Eye Pillow. I also like to use an eye pillow to relax. An eye pillow is usually made of fabric and has little beads in it which gently hold down your eyelids and help darken the room. I can’t begin to describe how relaxing it is to lie down and not even have to struggle to keep your eyes shut. Did you even know that was a struggle? Here is a link to eye pillows on Etsy. I love purchasing things on Etsy so I can help out a small business.

3. Yoga Props. When you’ve had a really “special” day, doing some relaxing yoga poses may feel like heaven. You may want a yoga block or two and yoga mat ready to go. I keep mine under my bed. Whenever I want to do yoga, they’re right there.

My favorite yoga mat is called Jade. It’s a mid-range priced mat. I’ve had mine for probably about 10 years, doing yoga about 2 times a week. So it’ll last a while….

For blocks, I don’t have any I particularly recommend. I usually use cork but any brand is fine.

I don’t recommend that you wear special yoga clothes if you do relaxing yoga before bed. Just your PJs are fine. Changing into yoga clothes and then changing again into your PJs is too exhausting….

Other Items

1. Writing Supplies. Your special kit is the perfect place to put your favorite pen, markers, highlighters, washi tape, etc. You want your kit to be something that you look forward to using and what’s better than knowing that your favorite pen is right where it’s supposed to be, in your kit? My favorite highlighters:

2. Journals. I have several journals in my kit. I have a gratitude journal and an everyday journal, where I write my thoughts from the day. Journaling is one of the most lovely (and powerful!) things you can do to help you relax in the evening.

The journal below is a calendar by Katie Daisy. You can buy her beautiful items on Etsy. I like to use her calendar for my gratitude journal. Each night I jot down a few things that made me feel grateful or happy.

Related article: 4 Reasons You Should Start To Journal Now (+ Ideas On How to Start)

3. Bella Grace Magazine. My favorite magazine of all time is Bella Grace. It’s technically a magazine, but it’s more like a beautiful keepsake workbook. The magazine contains beautifully written articles and photography. If you like to journal but don’t have the time, this magazine may be your answer. It’s printed on thick paper and contains questions and journaling prompts that you can annotate right in the magazine.

4. Books and Kindle. I like to have both a kindle and a “real” book in my kit. If my husband goes to bed early, I can keep reading on my kindle. I suggest that you limit your kit to just a few books. Otherwise, it may become a box of books instead of a relaxation kit!

5. Coloring, Hand-lettering or Doodling Supplies. The recent trend over the past few years for adult coloring books is fabulous for your relaxation kit. I also like to include books on brush calligraphy, doodling art, and other small, simple art. Here are some of my favorite doodling supplies:

• • Faber Castel Pitt Artists Pens for Art and Graphics
  • Botanical Line Drawing: 200 Step-by-Step Flowers, Leaves, Cacti, Succulents, and Other Items Found in Nature By Peggy Dean

 

6. Needlework. Hand sewing, cross-stitch, knitting, crocheting, can be relaxing and very enjoyable before bed. Having the luxury of doing needlework while not multi-tasking (as many of us crafters usually do!) feels divine and so much more relaxing.

7. Puzzles and Sodoku. Although many people enjoy doing puzzles and sudoku first thing in the morning with their coffee, they are also the perfect thing do to at night. They’re not overly stimulating and if these are fun for you, they’re ideal for your self-care kit.

8. Meditation.  Of course, we can’t complete this list without meditation. I love to do sleep meditations before bed. This is a new habit for me, I just started a few months ago. I feel like it makes the quality of my sleep so much better. I like to use the free app, Insight Timer. I don’t have any particular favorites. Instead, I just type “sleep” in the search and enjoy listening to various meditations or sleep music that are designed to help you get a good night’s rest.

Unfortunately, my beautiful flower meditation pillow is no longer available, but I recommend getting a pillow you LOVE! This one makes me smile big every time I use it. It was a bit pricey but worth every penny.

Pampering Yourself

Your evening relaxing routine is the perfect time to do a little pampering and doing a beauty routine! You can put on a face-mask. Do your nails. Even soak your feet in a footbath!

Whatever pampering you like to do, you can put the supplies you need in a pretty cloth bag or basket so when you’re ready for your self-care, you’re not scrambling around the bathroom, knocking down bottles waking the kids. We sure don’t want that happening.

For example, I have a little bag with things for my pedicures. The bag has Epsom salts, a skin scrub, nail file, foot cream, pedicure nail polish, even those little spacers for your toes.

If you’re a busy Mom, you may need to do this in stages. For example, one night take off the nail polish. The next night soak your feet and remove dry skin. We’re realistic here at Balanced Working Moms…. I really don’t see a whole pedicure happening on a Tuesday night. But a small part of the pedicure (ex. putting on the foot cream), with your new relaxing routine, that’s very possible.

If you were really organized (this is not me…) but you may even have a schedule for your beauty routine. That would be above and beyond. If you’re like me and you’re not there yet, even doing a little when you can will help you feel great about yourself and more relaxed before bed.

The Last Thing Before Bed

A wonderful thing to do just before you climb under the covers is to massage your feet for a minute.

You can use regular lotion or whatever foot cream that you love.

I like to use fractionated coconut oil and essential oils, like lavender, for my nightly footrub. I keep my oils right next to me so I can do my foot massage, put my socks on, and not have to touch anything!  This little ritual helps me sleep nice and soundly!

Putting it All Together

After reading this article, think about what items resonated with you. What would you like in your own self-care kit? Are there things you love that aren’t on this list? What would you add?

As you create your kit, you may want to do it slowly so you can buy quality items. Also, if you purchase something and don’t love it, please remove it from your kit! I bought pens that were stunning, but they left huge blobs of ink when I wrote. Ick! I took those right out of my kit and put them somewhere else in the house.

Another idea is to save the items you love in your shopping cart or Etsy favorites and buy them for yourself as a reward for something. I love doing this when I’m building a habit. Click here for my free class on how to build a habit that actually lasts!

Storing Your Self-Care Kit

It’s important when putting together your kit that it look attractive and organized. You don’t want your precious things in an ugly plastic box. That’ll defeat the whole purpose of your new routine! 

Before buying, making, or re-purposing a box, decide where you want to put it.

It may take you a few days to come up with some options. The size you buy will depend on where the box ultimately lives.

Be creative! Your box doesn’t have to be stored in your bedroom. As long as it’s in a place where no one will (likely) get into it, you’re good.

Here are some ideas:

• Your Nightstand. My kit fits nicely in my large nightstand. I have two large drawers and my items fit well in them. I don’t use a box since the drawers organize my things well. Instead, I have small boxes inside my nightstand for my special pens, etc.
• Under your bed. I don’t like storing a lot of things under my bed since it’s important that my room feel serene. However, a friend of mine bought a beautiful basket with a lid and stores her kit neatly under her bed.
• In your closet. This is a great option if you have small kids. Your kit is just for you! No sharing! If you buy a pretty box and store your things neatly in the closet, it’ll also stay away from small fingers.
• The family room. If you have storage in your common living space, your box can absolutely stay in your family room. Just be sure that your family knows that your box is not common property!!

Let me know in the comments what you’d like to include in your self-care kit! I can’t wait to hear all the ideas we’ll collect on this!

With love,
Rina

Save this PIN so you can put your kit together when you have time