Evenings tend to stretch. One more episode, one more message, one more look at the news, and suddenly it is past midnight. Bringing the evening to a close a little earlier is one of the simplest ways to make the next day go better.
Decide when the evening ends
Pick a time when the evening winds down, not a strict bedtime. At that point, the dishes are done, the lights get softer and screens go away. Having a set time removes the nightly debate.
Lower the light
Swap bright overhead lights for lamps an hour or so before bed. Warmer, dimmer light signals the end of the day and makes the home feel calmer.
Give screens a home
Charge phones and tablets outside the bedroom, in the kitchen or hallway. If you use your phone as an alarm, an inexpensive alarm clock solves the problem.
Replace, do not just remove
An earlier evening only works if it has something in it. Keep a book by the sofa, a crossword on the table or a short list of things you enjoy doing with your hands, such as sketching, knitting or writing a few lines in a notebook.
Prepare tomorrow
Spend five minutes getting ready for the morning: clothes out, bag packed, breakfast planned. It is a small task that closes the day neatly.
Try moving the end of your evening thirty minutes earlier for a week, and notice how the mornings feel.