Routines play a crucial role in our daily lives and have a significant impact on our overall well-being. They help us take advantage of our natural body rhythms, maintain a tidy and organized home, and provide structure for children who are still developing their coping skills.
An effective routine can significantly reduce stress, leading to better mental health and more time for relaxation. It can also promote better sleep, affecting our mental sharpness, emotional well-being, and energy levels. Self-care is also an essential aspect of a routine, including making time for sleep, grooming, exercise, and other activities that help us recharge.
Financial stability can also be improved through routines, such as paying bills on time, tracking budgets regularly, avoiding late fees, and taking vacation time instead of letting it expire.
Getting started with routines can be as simple as setting reminders on your phone, using focus settings for sleep or work, muting notifications, and communicating with your spouse or roommates about developing and maintaining routines. Recently, we found a notification summary feature on iPhones that will hold notifications until a set time. We can also set reminders for credit card bills, doctor’s appointments, or workouts.
A sample routine could involve waking up at 7 am, taking care of responsibilities such as feeding pets and checking the news, working out and stretching, eating breakfast, and engaging in activities such as work or exercise. Regular self-care practices such as a midday walk or household tasks can also be incorporated, leading up to winding down for bedtime around 10 pm.
What routines do you incorporate into your life? Which ones could be changed?
