The Importance of Routines

Creating a routine is a great way to take care of yourself, as well as keep up with life’s daily tasks. What routine does your morning look like? Is it different during the week than it is on weekends?

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Creating routines is something humans have been doing since before history was recorded. We create routines because they provide security: knowing what you’re going to eat or what you’re going to wear gives you a sense of control over your life. Routines also provide order: who has time for chaos when you have three kids, two dogs, and a full-time job? Routines are also healthy: eating breakfast starts off your day right and getting some exercise is good for your mind and body. The bottom line is that establishing routines is an important component of being organized and being efficient.

You’ve likely heard the term routine before, but you may not have much experience with it. While some people might consider routines to be boring or tedious, they play an essential role in a healthy and productive life, especially when it comes to personal wellness. Routines help you take charge of your daily tasks by breaking them down into bite-sized pieces. In this way, you can easily check off items on your to-do list without having to constantly worry about getting everything done!

So, What Exactly Are Routines?

Routines are patterns of behavior that we repeat regularly. They can be helpful in many areas of our lives, including our physical health, mental well-being, and productivity. For example, getting a good night’s sleep after an exhaustive day requires a routine to fall asleep at the same time every night and wake up at the same time every morning. Also, developing routines for eating healthy foods will help you stay on track with your diet plan because it’s easier to stick to healthier options when they’re always available instead of waiting until you get hungry before deciding what to eat.

How Do I Get Started on Creating Routines?

Creating a routine is important when it comes to organizing your life into manageable chunks of time. This is especially true when you’re working full time or have kids – there is just never enough time to go around!
 
The book “Atomic Habits An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones” by James Clear is a favorite of mine for an action-oriented plan for changing behavior and building habits.
You can look at and order a copy here: Atomic Habits by James Clear
 
Here are three steps to creating an effective routine:
1) Make sure you set goals that align with what you want in life (what kind of lifestyle do you want?)
2) Take inventory of what you need right now (find balance between personal time and time spent on family, friends, community, hobbies)
3) Write down specific steps to take in order to accomplish these goals
 
Other tips to keep in mind include:
1. Start small – routines don’t have to be elaborate or time-consuming. A simple daily routine can make a big difference in your overall well-being.
2. Be consistent – try to stick to your routine as much as possible, even on weekends or days off. This will help your body and mind get into a healthy rhythm.
3. Set realistic goals – if you’re new to routines, start with something achievable that you can realistically stick to.

The book “Tiny Habits: The Small Changes That Change Everything” by BJ Fogg, PhD, is a great one to look at for suggestions on how to build habits into your daily routine. 

 You can get here: Tiny Habits by BJ Fogg, PhD

Types of Routines

There are all sorts of routines you can incorporate into your life in order to make it more efficient and productive. Some examples include:
-Waking up at the same time each day
-Exercising for 30 minutes every morning
-Taking a quick shower before work
-Putting on makeup or getting dressed before leaving for work
-Making lunch for the week on Sunday night
 
There are many other routines that people find helpful in their daily lives, and you may want to experiment with some new ones! Remember, though, that it is important not to be too rigid with these routines as well; sometimes we need some spontaneity!
 

Examples of Some Helpful Routines To Try

Are you feeling frustrated because you have yet to find a routine that works for you? One way to get started is by creating a morning routine. 

A morning routine helps you start your day off right, so when you wake up you’re energized and ready to take on whatever comes your way. Plus, it’s always great to know what time you need to wake up and what time you need to start getting ready.

A morning routine also helps create structure in life. It’s important for everyone – even the busiest person – to have some type of daily structure or routine that helps them feel organized and grounded.

Here are some examples of activities that might make up a morning routine:

  • Spend time reading something positive 
  • Meditate 
  • Eat breakfast 
  • Spend time practicing gratitude 
  • Do some yoga stretches

How about in the evening?

Whether you like it or not, life has a way of taking over. But what if you had just one hour of intentional time before bed? We are all busy, but that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice sleep or shut off your phone for an hour before bedtime. 

It is actually beneficial to have an hour routine in place before bed:

1) Log off social media

2) Shut down any open tabs on your phone, laptop, or tablet

3) Turn off notifications on your phone

4) Read a book, meditate, or journal

5) Drink warm water or tea or take a warm bath or shower if you want to relax your body more

6) Turn off lights

So, To Recap

We all have routines in our daily lives — whether it’s in how we prepare our morning coffee or how we get ready to go to work, there are things that we do every day without even thinking about them. Those little things can add up to a big impact on your overall quality of life. A good routine ensures that you’re getting enough sleep, eating the right foods, and getting exercise in each day, allowing you to live more healthily and feel better about yourself overall. You know what it means to have a routine because we all have them. So whether you live with one or without one, start by thinking about what it means to you and what you want it to mean to you.

For More Recommendations and Resources, go to: Recommended Resources

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