Our lives can feel a little crazy at times, but how we tackle the big issues is often dictated by how we live in the small moments.
Routines and rituals offer a wide range of wellbeing benefits. Modern life is full of unpredictability and external stressors out of our control, so if you can get the small, daily stuff sorted, you will be better equipped to face the natural chaos of life.
How does it work?
Routine can anchor us. We are creatures of habit, and when your daily routine is filled with healthy patterns and consistency, your life will be much easier to navigate, ultimately leading to a sense of calmness and grounding.
However, sticking too strictly to a routine can cause yourself unnecessary stress. Don’t punish yourself for sometimes slipping from your schedule – an occasional relaxation evening instead of tuning in to the latest LinkedIn course isn’t going to stop the world from turning. The aim is to try and maintain a steady structure within your daily living as much as possible so that you are ready to take on the rest that life throws at you.
Your schedule will be dictated by who you are as a person. You might adore bubble baths and find them splendidly relaxing, meaning a regular soak added into your evening hours would benefit you greatly. Or you might struggle with eating a balanced diet, so a set daily mealtime and prep the previous day will aid you in living a healthy lifestyle. Start off small, such as incorporating a morning routine into your first few waking moments to help you feel prepared for the day ahead, and gradually build your routine into a habitual schedule that you don’t even have to think about.
What are the main reasons that routine is key to wellbeing?
Better sleep
Sleep is fundamental to wellbeing and your body will thank you for having a bedtime routine in place. Going to bed and waking up around the same time each day means you are more likely to get steady, regulated rest for your body to attach a healthy sleep-wake cycle to.
Sporadic schedules lead to sporadic sleep because your body doesn’t know when you’re starting or stopping. With a daily routine in place, you will reap the benefits of great sleep and will wake up feeling refreshed, clear-headed and ready to take on the day.
Reduced stress
Having a daily routine is crucial in managing stress levels, simply because having a structure to follow can free the mind to tackle bigger things as well as grounding you each day. Even on days with big, demanding events like job interviews, a healthy morning routine can get you ready for the day ahead and prevent unnecessary anxiety.
Routines take the guesswork and uncertainty from key parts of your day, making it much easier to tackle bigger tasks and leaving us ultimately calmer and more grounded.
Happy digestive system
Chaotic days can cause you to live in a state of anxiousness, rush mealtimes on the go and adopt poor dietary choices. All of these factors contribute to a struggling digestive system, but we want your gut to be healthy and happy.
Eating at roughly the same time each day will ensure your body maintains a steady rhythm, keeping you balanced and ensuring your digestive system can function at its best. Plus, drinking enough water and having the routine to remind you to do so will have a huge positive impact on your daily life. Getting yourself into a steady routine will provide structure for your body to work at its best.
Increased creativity and productivity
Optimising your daily life will help you get on top of your game. The key benefit of routine for creative people is regularity: if you can turn your schedule into a process that requires zero thought, you free your mind to think creatively and without limits. You will feel more focused and this can lead to great productivity.
Routine also allows you to carve out time in the day for the things that matter most, whether that’s the new hobby you’ve discovered or writing that novel. Once it’s part of your regular routine, there’s no backing out because you forget or are too tired. Your dreams are more likely to manifest when you have the time to tend to them.
Sense of accomplishment
As well as all of the mental and physical benefits to a healthy routine, simply the sense of accomplishment can improve your wellbeing by itself. If you keep a routine checklist, ticking off those small things will be a little daily dose of success, even if you didn’t quite meet that deadline for work or manage to catch up with friends.
Setting a routine can help with your goals, too. Want to complete a marathon? That run scheduled in place at 6 am each morning is going to help you achieve it. It’s also a lot easier to practice gratitude when your days have structure and meaning to them.
Curating your daily routine according to your own personal needs will set you up for success when it comes to managing your mental and physical health. With the knowledge that daily habits are key to maintaining positive wellbeing and a healthy body and mind, allow your new routine to do the work for you so that you can focus on the things that matter most.
