Issue No. 39

How to Achieve A Peaceful Evening Routine

from Six Women Who Take Incredible Care of Themselves

It’s 9:45 PM on a typical Wednesday; I’m cozied up on the living room couch, my eyes plastered open as I stare into the abyss of the glowing orb that is my iPhone. Some nights, this includes the glowing orb that is my laptop (and not for shows!). 9:45 becomes 10, then 10 creeps to 11, and, before I know it, I’m crawling into bed at midnight, my mind racing, all geared up after hours of screen time. This all-too-familiar scene has become a bit of a habit lately, and one, I’m keenly aware, I need to curb. Yes, I’m a mom with a job and a passion project (this newsletter!), so sometimes finding the time means burning the midnight oil. But lately, I’ve noticed it impacting my sleep (and we all know how important sleep is for, well, everything). So, today, I’ve enlisted the help of a few women who I know take immaculate care of themselves. Below, they dish on their tried and true tricks for winding down peacefully in the evening. Because the truth is: a productive, fulfilling day actually starts the night before.

Think of today’s newsletter as a cheat sheet to parting with your evening doomscroll, achieving more peaceful evenings, better sleep, and with it, more productive days.

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Six Evening Routines to Try

First up, is…

Dr. Nigma Talib, Los Angeles–based naturopathic doctor, author, skin wizard, and all around beautiful person (inside and out!).

How she unwinds: Honestly? Snuggling with Dante, my fur therapist, while sipping a magnesium tea and putting my treatment mask no1 on (every evening). At 52, my skin needs all the hydration possible and this takes my skin to a new level. I take my cortisol balancer at this time too, which is the combination of calm and calmer.

I get bonus points if I’m horizontal on my Healthyline PEMF mat, refusing to answer emails like it’s a professional sport. I try not to use my phone while on the mat so I can really shut down and enjoy the benefits of cellular repair. My philosophy is all about combining these beauty and wellness hacks together. Dante, of course, joins me in all of this. He’s now a regular bio hacker.

Her favorite wellness/skincare ritual at night: This is where I go full NASA with red light therapy. Instead of a mask (because it leaves marks on the face), I use the LightStim Elipsa tunnel device. I go under it for 30 minutes and do a deep meditation at the same time.

After my meditation and red light, I journal to ease any night time mind chatter and note some manifestations for the next day. My inner dialogue needs somewhere to go besides my dreams. And if I’m feeling fancy (read: always), I’ll roll into my hyperbaric oxygen chamber like I’m cryogenically preserving my glow. Dante is a big cheerleader in this. He’s now tasted the benefits of my Oxyhealth chamber and he cries until I put us in together. We try to go in four times a week.

Her strategy for unplugging from devices: I kicked my phone out of my bedroom like a bad boyfriend. I use a cute little sunrise alarm clock that gently wakes me like I’m being summoned by angels instead of panic.

On her nightstand: A silk pillowcase (because my face has standards), blackout curtains (I’m a vampire in disguise), lavender pillow mist, and a copy of something inspiring… usually sandwiched between supplement bottles and Dante’s toy of the week.

“Sleep is where the healing happens, darling—so I treat it like it’s my part-time job.” - Dr. Nigma Talib

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Mia Rigden, is a board-certified nutritionist, mom of two, classically trained chef, and author of Foodwise, The Well Journal and the Substack Btwn Meals

How she unwinds: I know this isn’t a super wellness-y answer, but after the kids are finally asleep, I want to watch an episode of something. I just feel like I need to plop on the couch for a minute (or an hour). Same, Mia.

Her strategy for unplugging from devices at night: I’m actually not very good at this. My husband has all these apps and restrictions for his phone use, but I tend to have my laptop glued to me until lights out. Not my best habit! Talk to me about protein, I nail that one lol.

Her favorite wellness/skincare ritual for night time:I love my skincare routines and am religious about doing micro current 3x a week (I use Ziip) BTW, code MIA gets you 20% off.

Is your phone in your bedroom at night? My phone is right next to my bed. Terrible, I know, but my business is like a limb, and I like to get started checking in on clients and seeing what’s going on right when I wake up. I do have a Hatch alarm clock and I love it — it has a very soothing wake-up tone that is so much more civilized than the iPhone alarm.

On her nightstand: I don’t have much on my nightstand except for some water, a hair tie, my weight eye mask (a dream!!!), and my alarm clock.

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Lisa von Weise is a Holistic Personal Stylist, author Older & Weiser on Substack, former contributing editor at Vogue Magazine, Vanity Fair, and Interview Mag.

How she unwinds: Around 5:30 PM, I do my afternoon Vedic meditation for 20 minutes, which sets me up for a stress-free, joyful evening. If I don’t stop to meditate, I will keep working, so I appreciate the boundary. As a Holistic Personal Stylist, my days are dedicated to caring for others. In the evening, I switch to caring for myself.

On nights we stay in, I love to cook dinner for my husband, Ivan Shaw. He is a hard worker with a fierce appetite, so on the excellent advice of nutritionist Mia Rigden (above!), we just bought the Dream Cooker and Wonder Oven from Our Place. They are game-changers for meeting our protein and veggie goals and are easy to master with practice.

After dinner, we enjoy an entertaining show while munching on apple slices, berries, or an orange. Sometimes, we indulge in “healthy" cookies or crackers from Thrive Market — their selection is impressive. I also like hot water with lemon electrolytes for hydration and to curb my sweet tooth.

We love destination dramas, historical dramas, and British spy thrillers. The White Lotus is our current favorite. I appreciate its slower pacing, which allows me to explore the complexities of the hilariously lovable characters. A good show entirely takes me out of reality and feels like a bedtime story, setting me up for sleep.

If it’s still early, I will do a guided, energy-healing meditation once I’m snuggled into bed. Steve Nobel is my go-to; I often drift off to sleep during the recording. I use Apple earbuds and my iPhone to cue up the meditation (which arrives in his newsletter), then move the phone and earplugs to the living room when I inevitably wake up after a few playthroughs.

Her strategy for unplugging from devices at night: I am careful not to touch my phone or computer in the evening once I’ve “turned off” after dinner. I might glance at a client’s text, but I don't use social media or shop since that’s a recipe for insomnia.

I love sleeping and have always prioritized it—it's nature’s best remedy for absolutely everything! I use sleeping aids as insurance and don’t have negative morning aftereffects. In my early 50s, I suffered from hot flashes, and, even though they finally passed, I don’t mess around with sleep time or quality (9 hours is optimal).

Mercola sleep spray is a favorite product (it tastes like cherries), and although I don’t drink, I dabble with Rose Delights (CBD and THC) for deep sleep encouragement right before bed. I wear a mouthguard to protect against teeth grinding, and that’s another thing that relaxes me. It's like a teething ring for adults, and I love wearing it. I cover my eyes with a little silk-cotton scarf that signals “lights out” for me.

Her favorite wellness/skincare ritual at night: I have been a devotee of the Beauty Pie membership platform for skincare for five years. I’ve never had fillers or Botox, and it’s been at least 15 years since I had a facial, but I don’t need anything not available on their platform—that’s how good the products are (I am 58). I am consistent and generous with the application since their wholesale pricing lets me play and experiment for efficacy. Marcia Kilgore, the founder, is a genius! I recently bought their red light mask — what a great invention; I am amazed. I use their Japanfusion cleanser twice at night, followed by Youthbomb Retinol and the Micro-Caviar Overnight Moisture Mask for soft, clear skin.

A heating pad is my best tool and tip for evening comfort. It is easier than a bath—more like a dry bath, and it soothes my nervous system. It's an easy wind-down hack, especially if you and your partner prefer different room temperatures.

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Michele Oullet Benson is a model, co-founder of Lorenza Wine, and author of Amuse Bouche on Substack

How she unwinds: This is probably not advised, but I love watching something mindless like Great British Baking Show on my computer. Puts me right to sleep (lol)!

Her favorite wellness/skincare ritual for night time: I love an herbal tea in the evening. Ginger or fresh peppermint. I also take all of my vitamins at nighttime! I wash them down with my glass of magnesium.

Is your phone in your bedroom at night? I keep my phone plugged in the living room. We live in a loft, so it's all kind of the same, but it's as far from my bed as possible! I use my phone alarm but have recently changed it to the Storytime sound and actually love it!

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Erika Veurink is a writer, brand strategist & author of Long Live on Substack

How she unwinds: I love taking a super hot Epsom salt bath and reading a magazine. Other nights, a quick walk around the neighborhood helps me separate the workday from night.

Her strategy for unplugging from devices at night: My phone doesn't come in my bedroom, so I usually try to leave it in my bag from the day before or somewhere in my living room. I'll use my laptop for watching a show in bed, but by the time night rolls around, I'm pretty ready for a break.

Phone or alarm? I've been using my Loftie alarm clock for years and adore it. The brown noise is a game changer for sleeping in the city.

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Sam Hirschmann is a mom, storyteller & author of the children’s book Sam Says and Eat the Croissant on Substack

How she unwinds: Laying on my Higher Dose PEMF go mat 100p. I’m pretty dang tired by the time my daughter goes to bed that all I want to do is chill and feel cozy. So every night after I put her to sleep, I crawl into my bed and lay on my warm and cozy PEMF mat. I instantly feel my body relax and any tight or sore muscles loosen up (from chasing a toddler around all day, lol).

Strategy for unplugging from devices: Unfortunately, I have zero strategy when it comes to unplugging from my phone and devices in the evening because, as I mom, I find the only time I get to really sit in silence with my phone is after my daughter goes to sleep. However, I did just purchase this screen cover for my phone by Body Guardz that essentially converts the harmful blue light from your phone screen to beneficial red light, which is supposed to help with sleep!

Her favorite wellness/skincare ritual at night: My number one thing is magnesium before bed. My favorite is Moon Juice’s Magnesium Om - it’s a must for me because of how different I feel when I don’t drink it before bed vs. when I do. I feel incredibly more rested when I drink it. After sipping on that, I go for my PEMF mat from Higher Dose. I also sleep on a Grounding Mattress cover from Down to Ground which is supposed to help reduce inflammation, improve sleep, boost mood, and improve energy levels while you sleep!

On her nightstand: Water, eye glasses, and a Himalayan Salt stone (for cleansing of the air and neutralizing EMFs).

And that’s our show! Since I’ve admitted that I’ve been struggling with my wind down routine, I’m not sure my “tricks” hold much weight, but here are some sleepy links I’ve been loving lately:

(Sleep Related) Links I’m Loving This Week

My Hatch Restore (so far, Im loving). It turns our bedroom into a little spa-like oasis thanks to the “wind down routine” I have set. I’ve been waking up to the sound of rain all week and a warm orange glow. I WAY prefer that to my jarring phone alarm.
Vio2 Mouth Tape. I know this is a hot topic (just see Emily Sundberg’s Feed Me chat about this), but my Oura ring shows better scores on nights when I wear this! Currently into Vio2, which is the only doctor-created, USA-made, PFA-free mouth tape on the market. I like the shape and it peels off easily in the AM. (Tim asked me if I was wearing a pacifier, lol.)
Silk sleep mask from Drowsy (and, also, their silk pillow case!).
These Lake pajamas. Because, you know what else coaxes you into a relaxed nighttime routine? Elite pajamas. These Kimono style PJs are buttery soft and so flattering I’ve debated wearing them to my corner coffee shop. They’d make a perfect mother’s day gift for the mom in your life (or, you know, yourself).
A weighted blanket. This really helps me get cozy. Warning: if you share a bed with someone else, they might not like it. But, it’s small enough that it can be dedicated to only one side of the bed. I’d go for the ten pound weight to start with.
Rest & Digest Tea. This new to me tea is quickly becoming one of my favorite wind down rituals! I love the taste, and it reduces bloating and optimizes digestion. Check, check.