With the school year ramping up, it’s easy to forget to prioritize your well-being (I know I’m guilty of it). It’s really easy for me to put my mental health on the back burner and focus solely on school. However, a well-constructed night routine helps ground me. Over my four years in college, I feel like I’ve perfected my ultimate fall night routine.
A little pampering helps me get out of a mental rut and feel more connected to the holidays while being away from home. Hopefully, some of the components of my fall night routine will inspire you to create your own.
1. Lighting Candles
The first step in my fall night routine is lighting a candle and/or turning on a diffuser. I like to start here because it takes a little time for the scent to fill the room. It helps me wind down and feel more connected to the holiday season.
Some of my go-to scents are the Cozy Nights candle from Target, Sweater Weather from Bath & Body Works, or any of their seasonal candles. If I am using a diffuser, any eucalyptus oil is my favorite calming scent. Another game changer for me is a candle warmer lamp. It can be a safer alternative to an open flame, creates a cozy atmosphere without needing the big light in your room, and lets you set a timer for how long you want to warm your candle.
2. watching a Movie or TV show
Once my room smells like a Bath & Body Works, I always turn on a TV show or movie to play in the background when I do the rest of my night routine. Some of my favorite things to watch during the holiday season are The Twilight Saga (New Moon is my favorite), Friends, and especially Gilmore Girls.
I recently started rewatching Gilmore Girls on Hulu, and Lorelai and Rory’s love for the holidays is just so infectious. However, you can catch up on your favorite podcast, watch a comfort YouTuber, or even play music. The possibilities are endless.
3. doing my Skincare
Obviously, a piping-hot shower is a must in my ultimate fall night routine (and honestly, in any season). After I take a shower, the next step of my routine is using the skincare products I always claim I’m going to use. You know all the products that sit in your medicine cabinet because they require extra time? Well, it’s time to use them!
I currently use the infamous “red mask” from The Ordinary, or honestly, any extra face masks I’ve gotten as gifts. While I wait for them to work their magic, I watch whatever I have on my iPad to make the time go by faster!
4. taking my Vitamins
Yes, I sound like a mom, but taking your vitamins is truly important. The vitamins I take include a multivitamin, iron, and vitamin D. I’ve personally noticed differences in how I feel when I stick to my routine.
Although everyone’s nutritional needs are different, when your body isn’t getting the nutrients it needs to function, the mental demand of school can feel even more exhausting.
5. Cleaning my room
I know this might be a controversial step, but nothing feels more rewarding than waking up in your bed on a cold morning with a spotless room. I usually do my laundry, organize my nightstand, wipe down my vanity, clean my bathroom, and take care of any other small tasks I’ve been putting off. The goal is to tackle those little things that you keep pushing aside but can finish in an hour or less.
For me, a clean room means a clear mind. It’s one of the best ways to reset, feel more productive, and pull myself out of a rut.
The school year is physically and mentally demanding. It’s important to care of your well-being; otherwise, a burnout, crash out, or rut is doomed to happen. This is not what I do every single night, but I do this extra routine probably once a week. When things start piling up, taking a step back helps me reset and focus on what truly matters.
For you, that might mean having a gratitude journal, taking a walk, cooking, baking, going to sleep early, reading, or something else. Finding the perfect night routine, especially during the holidays, could be your potential new outlet. Taking an hour or two each week to recharge can make all the difference, especially for college students.