How to wind down after a stressful day, according to a busy fashion editor

The lowdown on chilling out.

As a fashion editor who is admittedly ‘chronically online’, my sleeping habits haven’t always been productive. After a day spent squinting at my laptop or phone; writing, editing and social media posting for eight hours straight, I used to go home and continue trawling the internet. I’d then be surprised (after slamming down a Diet Coke with my dinner) at my inability to drift off into uninterrupted sleep.

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The reality, is our night routines are as important as our revered morning rituals. Yes, you’re winding down as opposed to gearing up for the day, but the process allows your body to release the tensions of a full-on day. As a former restless sleeper with an intense work schedule, I’d like to consider myself a now-expert at the evening chill-out. Make a cup of tea, snuggle into your pyjamas and read on for my top tips.

Switch off

Powering down your social media is so important before bed, particularly when you work in a role that requires you to be on your phone. There are times I’ve checked my phone just before closing my eyes, and a notification (be it email, Instagram DM, etc) has kept my mind whirring late into the early morning.

At the same time, scrolling on TikTok can also be a wind-down activity for me. To combat the disruption, I recommend using sleep mode on your iPhone to block most notifications pre-bed. Even better, leave your phone outside of your room entirely – just make sure you get an analog alarm clock to replace the sweet sound of Radar in the morning.

Develop a nighttime routine

Just as you go through the motions of your morning routine, creating a set of pre-bed rituals means that by the time you hit the pillow, you’re feeling totally zen. Kick this off with a long shower or bath, followed by your skincare routine and a fresh sleepwear set.

Don’t underestimate the power of PJs. Just as you wear a specific ‘uniform’ to work, a bedtime kit can get you into the snoozy headspace. Australian womenswear label Sussan has a collection of cosy pyjama sets and nighties to choose from – my pick is the Check Print Flannelette Pyjama Set in Navy. 

Relax your body

Everyone’s chill-out preferences are different, but I recommend some kind of activity to soften your body into sleep mode. After sitting at a computer all day, it’s easy to feel restless, both psychically and mentally. Depending on my energy levels, I like to hit the gym, do a Pilates class or a short session of meditation, breathing exercises or stretching. An app like Calm or Headspace can assist with this if you’d prefer a guided experience. 

Read and write

If my work day has left me a little fired up (in a good or bad way), I like to decompress by writing it all down. Journaling sounds cliche, I know – but allowing your thoughts to spill out onto the page really does help. I like to do this once I’m tucked up into bed, sipping on herbal tea and wearing a super-soft sleepwear set.

If you couldn’t be bothered picking up the pen (after a day spent writing and editing, this tends to happen) but still want some pre-bed entertainment, reading a book often makes my eyes droopy after a chapter or two. Make sure to keep the lighting soft and your toes warm.

For more on the importance of developing an evening routine, head here.