I Followed a 1940s Evening Routine | The Best Sleep I’ve Had in Years

Quick summary

The creator followed a typical 1940s evening routine to reduce screen time and recreate a slow, scheduled transition to sleep. The night produced noticeably better sleep, a calmer mood, and some skin improvement. Key habits, steps, and context are below.

Evening routine (steps followed)

1. Finish a simple home‑cooked meal and tidy: wash plates and wipe surfaces to reduce morning chores.
2. Spend about one hour on a gentle, focused task (see alternatives below).
3. Make a warm bedtime drink (Holix: malted barley + milk powder) to wind down.
4. Listen to a scheduled radio program (for example, the comedy ITMA) and/or the 9:00 p.m. BBC news — media with fixed end times.
5. Perform nightly skincare: remove makeup with cold cream, then wash the face with soap and a soft‑bristled brush.
6. Change into comfortable nightclothes (a long nightgown/nighty).
7. Prepare the next day: lay out an outfit and set an alarm for an early rise.
8. Brush hair ritualistically — described as “100 strokes.”
9. Wind down with simple handiwork (knitting, mending) by lamp light, then lights out.

“100 strokes.” A small, ritualistic hair‑brushing step included in the routine.

Alternative gentle‑focus activities (pre‑bed period)

• Sewing, knitting, mending items (example: repairing an old bird feeder)
• Reading (often accompanied by records playing in the background)
• Letter writing or journaling
• Doing puzzles or reading the paper

Wartime / ritual context that shaped evenings

• Most homes had no phones or TV; radio was the main evening media with scheduled broadcasts.
• Blackouts required covering windows and removing street lighting; evenings often ended earlier and travel was limited.
• Strict schedules (radio program times and printed blackout times) encouraged fixed evening rhythms and helped limit endless media consumption.

Health, wellness, and sleep takeaways

• Removing screens and creating a predictable, unhurried bedtime ritual reduced anxiety and nightmares, resulting in a full night’s sleep and feeling more rested.
• Warm, nourishing drinks and simple tactile activities (knitting, mending) aided relaxation.
• Consistent preparation (tidying, laying out clothes, setting an alarm) reduced next‑day stress.
• A nightly skincare ritual plus better sleep appeared to help chronic eczema and skin healing for the creator.

Notable products, locations, and speakers

• Holix (malted barley + milk powder bedtime drink)
• ITMA (That Man Again) — radio comedy starring Tommy Handley
• BBC News (9:00 p.m. broadcast)
• Wartime Britain / blackout era context
• Reference to a bird feeder from “Penny’s aviary” and listening to records during reading