Serene bedroom with a dim lamp and drawn curtains, with the text 60-Minute Bedtime Routine

The 60-Minute Bedtime Routine: Step-by-Step

Bedtime & Evening Routines

A 60-minute bedtime routine spreads a calm wind-down across your last hour: tidy up and prepare, switch off screens, look after yourself, then settle in a dark, comfortable room. Here is the whole hour, step by step, with a timeline you can follow tonight.

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Serene bedroom with a dim lamp and drawn curtains, with the text 60-Minute Bedtime Routine

Quick answer

Start 60 minutes before lights out: prepare (15 minutes), switch off screens and dim the lights (15), look after yourself (15), then settle in a dark, comfortable bedroom (15).

The 60-minute timeline

Time before bed Step What to do
60 to 45 minutes Prepare Tidy, set out tomorrow's clothes, lock up
45 to 30 minutes Unplug Screens off, lights dimmed, warm drink
30 to 15 minutes Self-care Wash, brush teeth, nightwear, cream
15 to 0 minutes Settle Bed, reading or breathing, lights out

Step 1: prepare (60 to 45 minutes)

  • Do a ten-minute tidy of the main room
  • Set out clothes for tomorrow and pack your bag
  • Write down anything on your mind so you do not carry it to bed

Step 2: unplug (45 to 30 minutes)

  • Put your phone on charge outside the bedroom if possible
  • Switch to lamps and lower the main lights
  • Make a warm, caffeine-free drink
Woman reading a paperback on a sofa under a warm lamp
A paperback and a warm lamp are a classic way to wind down.

Step 3: self-care (30 to 15 minutes)

  • Wash your face and brush your teeth
  • Change into comfortable, breathable nightwear
  • Spend a few minutes on skin, hand or foot care

For more ideas, see our simple nighttime self-care routine.

Step 4: settle (15 to 0 minutes)

  • Get into bed and read a few pages or listen to something quiet
  • Try a few slow breaths
  • Switch off the lamp and keep the room dark
Bedroom with thick curtains drawn, dim lamp and turned-down bed
Drawn curtains and a turned-down bed make the room feel ready for you.
Thermal blackout curtains

Worth a look

Thermal blackout curtains

Thick, lined curtains that help block out light, so your bedroom can be properly dark at bedtime and in the early morning.

Take a closer look

Common mistakes

  • Doing it all in a rush. The point is to slow down.
  • Keeping the phone within reach. It is easy to pick up for one more look.
  • Skipping the preparation. Small jobs left undone can keep running through your mind.
  • Expecting perfection. A shorter version is fine on busy nights. Our 30-minute evening routine is a good back-up.

Your 60-minute checklist

  • Tidy done, tomorrow's clothes out
  • Worries written down
  • Phone on charge, lights dimmed
  • Face, teeth and nightwear sorted
  • In bed with something calm
  • Room dark and comfortable

A note on your health

This article offers general lifestyle information, not medical advice. If you have trouble sleeping for several weeks, please speak to your GP or another qualified healthcare professional.

Frequently asked questions

How long should a bedtime routine be?

Anything from 15 minutes to an hour. An hour gives you room to wind down without rushing.

Should I do the same routine every night?

Keeping the same order helps it feel automatic, though you can adjust it for busy evenings.

What if I wake in the night?

Try to stay calm and keep the lights low. If it happens often for several weeks, speak to your GP.

Final thoughts

An hour is a generous amount of time. Use it gently, and your evenings may start to feel calmer.

You may also like how to build a bedtime routine you can maintain and the perfect bedtime routine after 40.

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