Take a short walk outside after dinner:
Not only does walking after dinner help you digest, the extra oxygen makes you feel better and more relaxed. And there's no need to make it a marathon walk–just 10 minutes around the neighborhood is enough to help you clear your mind, get some fresh air, and start prepping your body for a good night's sleep.
Have a relaxing drink:
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Pick your poison–chamomile tea, red wine, beer, scotch on the rocks–have a drink that helps you unwind. Just try to stick to one if your choice is alcohol. Having a relaxing drink is more about the ritualistic aspect of slowly and consciously consuming something pleasurable, and soaking in every moment of enjoyment from it.
Read something:
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Reading has a sort of hypnotic affect on the mind–that's why so many people read before turning off the light for some well-deserved sleep. It doesn't matter what you read, although more and more science says that if you're reading before bed, it should be in paper form (ie not your tablet, kindle, or smartphone). So find a book or magazine you enjoy, and feel your mind calm down.
Try aromatherapy:
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Our sense of smell and how it connects to our limbic (emotional) system is one of the most complicated aspects of neuroscience. All you need to know is that certain smells like lavender and citrus, have very direct effects on our brains and emotions. Why not harness that power of relaxation with some nice candles, incense, or essential oils?
Take a warm bath or shower:
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The hot water helps muscles relax. The less tension you're carrying in your back and neck, the easier it is to unwind and eventually fall asleep.
Cut yourself some slack:
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When all is said and done, sometimes it's good to just sit on the couch or armchair, and stare blankly into the nothingness for a bit. There's always a task that can be done. The to-do list will never end. What does that mean? That tonight, you can sit down, and do nothing (without feeling guilty.) It won't affect you in the long run.
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