One of the problems with success is that we tend to ascribe it to some magic formula; a mystical lemon juice that certain people manage to sprinkle liberally, while others miss out.

But the reality is more prosaic. When it comes down to it, doing well in business is the result of a series of small, incremental steps in the right direction.

Routines, then, are the compass of career success. And with the UK workforce now more stressed than ever before (not least in this, a year of coronavirus), evening rituals offer a golden chance to dial down and take stock amid a whirlwind of demands.

Below, 12 entrepreneurs and business high-fliers reveal the bedtime routines they use to relax. From vinyl sessions to stretching and escapist reading, here’s how to set the tone for the day ahead:

12 successful women share the feel-good bedtime routines they use to create a lasting sense of calm