After coming home from a long day of school, practice, work — whatever it may be — the last thing you may want to do is do more work before you can finally sleep. However, with daylight savings time and the incoming winter months, the mental health of people everywhere can begin to decline.

A 2022 Healthy Minds Poll found that almost 40 percent of Americans experiance a decline in mood in the winter months. Having a consistent routine that helps combat physical and mental ailments can help prevent this sudden mood change this winter.

1. Moisturize

Moisturizing: likely the word you hear the most when it comes to recommendations for maximizing your bedtime routine. That’s for good reason. Moisturizing has numerous benefits. It hydrates your skin, which prevents water loss that leads to redness and dry skin. Your skin works most actively at night, so it absorbs the ingredients in your products much easier, and the skin’s repair process is at its best while you’re asleep — making for the perfect time to combat issues with moisturizer.

 I recommend Hanacure for a more advanced option, but a basic CeraVe cream works great. After applying one of these products, try applying a few drops of oil over it — Mainstay Everyday Oil is a great choice. Apply these products by rubbing in a circular motion to increase blood flow under the skin. Side note — lotion is best applied to damp skin, contrary to popular belief. I recommend applying your body lotion after showering instead of before bed. 

2. Gua Sha/Jade Roller

Perhaps my favorite part of my routine before sleep — and in my morning routine, as I like to do this twice a day — is using my gua sha and jade roller on both my neck and face. These tools have both mental and physical benefits. They relax you before bed by relieving tension in your face and neck as well as promoting blood flow. Also, they give you a few minutes of reflective and meditative time before sleep. 

Both the gua sha and the jade roller reduce puffiness, increase circulation, lessen dark circles and wrinkles, and help ease tension and pain. They can also help to sculpt your face; I especially enjoy using the gua sha along my chin and jawline. There are specific strategies and methods for using these tools, and there are many fantastic guides on the internet. Pro tip: Try storing your tools in the fridge (not the freezer because jade stones crack easily) to enhance their effectiveness on puffiness and dark circles. Or, try warming them to increase blood flow and product absorption.

3. Hair Care

Rule number one of your nighttime hair routine: Do not go to sleep with damp hair. Oh, the horror. This can cause damage to your hair as it will stretch and break easier — especially if you move a lot in your sleep — increased chance of scalp infections and dandruff, and a guaranteed chance of tangled hair in the morning.

Instead, especially if you have longer curly hair like me, I recommend brushing your hair out as much as possible before sleep and making sure it is completely dry. Your hair and scalp will thank you in the morning.

4. Your Pillow

Yes, you should be thinking about your pillow as a part of your skin and hair care. First, silk pillow cases are better for your hair, as there will be less friction, meaning less knots, tangles, and frizz. Silk fabric will keep your skin far more hydrated than other fabrics will, which will also help prevent face wrinkles and lines.

Bonus: Silk pillowcases are far more comfortable. They will keep you cool in the summer and warm in the winter with their temperature regulation, plus they don’t collect as much dust as other fabrics. Finally, silk pillowcases have less of a chance of soaking up the products you just applied to your face, meaning they’ll be working into your skin and not your pillow.

Your nighttime routine is important for both your mental and physical health. Do what you can to guarantee a better mood this winter.