I Co-Founded a Site All About Evening Rituals—This Is How I Prioritize Mine

It's no secret that we love a good morning routine. We've come to learn, however, that the rituals we do to wind down before bed are just as important. Whether you take 10 minutes or a few hours, it's precious time that you have set aside at the end of the day to take care of yourself. Our series Weekend Wind-Down highlights the nightly routines of the people we admire.

Simply put, our sleep routines are as sacred and important as they get. Not enough sleep can hinder your decision-making, cognitive function, and overall mood.

For years, Tamar Gottesman and her mom were suffering from insomnia and other respective sleep problems. After trying countless tips and product recommendations to improve their sleep hygiene and experience, the mother-daughter duo created The Sleep Code together so that other people could have the same access to the things that actually changed their lives.

Besides being a gorgeous e-commerce destination with curated products to help you wind down, The Sleep Code is a "judgment-free resource and a safe space for those struggling to sleep,” according to Gottesman. If you’re looking for the right self-care gift for yourself or a loved one, it can serve you that way as well.

As someone whose job is to help others with their evening rituals, Gottesman has learned the importance of prioritizing hers. Keep scrolling to see how this busy co-founder prepares for a restful slumber.

7 P.M.

I have tried for many years to establish a relationship with yoga. Countless people have told me that I would benefit from it (definitely true), and I have lost track of the number of yoga classes I have attended. But for some reason, I haven't been able to reach a breakthrough. Instead of being too hard on myself about it, I decided to incorporate some self-guided stretching into my nightly routine. 

Initially, I wasn’t motivated to do anything active after work, but now, I genuinely look forward to the half an hour I spend stretching. I will usually listen to a podcast (I love Armchair Expert, Fat Mascara, The Rewatchables, You’re Wrong About, and Second Life) while stretching, and I alternate between my two Monrow Supersoft tracksuits.

7:30 P.M.

I am normally ravenous by this time, and luckily, my boyfriend is a fab cook! I am shockingly awful in the kitchen, so I always appreciate it when he makes something delicious. 

We will always finish dinner with tea. My two current favorites are Flowerhead's Chamo-Millionaires and Leaves and Flowers' Rosella Mint. 

8 P.M.

If I am feeling really indulgent, I will use my Ziip GX at the beginning of my unwinding routine. I am absolutely obsessed with this device. I find it surprisingly soothing and have seen an undoubtedly positive change since I started using it regularly. I have also found that it works wonders if I am suffering from a headache or seasonal allergies. 

8:30 P.M.

I am a beauty fanatic and love nothing more than trying out new products for The Sleep Code. I am not ashamed of the fact that I have a calendar just to keep track of which skincare I am trialing during the month!

I have had enough trial and error to be able to assess what my skin needs on a nightly basis. I don’t think you should be religious about using the same products every single day and night. Sometimes, your skin might be more parched—other times, you might be tending to a spot.

Today, I used the following products in order: the De Mamiel Restorative Cleansing Balm (with the Odacité Rose Quartz Gua Sha for some added lymphatic drainage), CosRx Low-pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser, Susanne Kaufmann Soothing Tonic, CosRx Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence, and Benton Aloe Hyaluron Cream. 

Other notable mentions include the Olio e Osso No. 0 Balm (which I eagerly applied to my lips), the DS Durga Rose Atlantic Body Wash, the Grown Alchemist Nourishing Shampoo Conditioner set, and the Blade + Bloom Rich Body Hair Serum. 

My routine can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour (sometimes longer if I want to use one of the Vertly Bath Salts and Susanne Kaufmann bath oils).

9:30 P.M.

This is when the television consumption begins! Like so many others, I am obsessed with The Crown. We binged the entire fourth season in a weekend, and now, I am slightly devastated that we have to wait so long for the next season! A second cup of tea is always required at this hour. 

11 P.M. 

This is when I turn to my book or my diary. I love journaling and have kept one since I was 11. Right now, I'm writing in our Smythson x The Sleep Code journal, which is truly a dream come true for me. 

I am in the middle of Cazzie David’s book No One Asked for This and am really enjoying it. I love her writing, and this piece has been a pleasure to read. I try to allocate an hour for reading because I still routinely have trouble falling asleep quickly. 

Up next, This Brand Builder Breaks Down Her Secrets to a Stress-Free Night Routine.