Mental Health and Routine
Routines
It is easy to become overwhelmed when our day is
filled with working, cleaning, cooking, taking care of others, and trying to
maintain our health. Life is so
fast-paced these days and it is easy to lose focus of our mental and physical health
as we struggle to complete all our daily tasks.
If you are feeling overwhelmed or demotivated, having a manageable daily
routine can help build your emotional resilience.
Establishing a daily routine helps us to
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Identify essential tasks
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Prioritize those tasks that need doing
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Factor in time for self-care and wellness activities
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Create healthy habits
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Pace ourselves so we don’t burnout
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Improve relationships
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Enhance feelings of control and clarity
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Effectively manage time
● Reduce stress and anxiety
It’s so early, you’re tired, you might not have slept well, and you may
not want to start your day. So, you lay in bed for a little bit longer. Now
you’re late, and stressed, and rushing around trying to make up the time you
lost.
Does this sound familiar?
Mornings are tough, but they can be made a whole
lot easier. The key is to have a routine
and then to be consistent with your morning routine. This will increase your sense of control,
positivity, and productivity.
There is so much scientific evidence supporting the notion that daily routines help
to enhance mental health and well-being.
Daily routines not only provide psychological benefits, but they also
offer physical health benefits. A good
routine in the morning can help automate mornings, developing good habits that
become second nature.
Now, let’s talk about Routine
Essentials
Anxiety and overwhelm can arise from dealing with the unknown, and having a good morning routine can provide the predictability, calm and control, our minds need to feel ready to tackle the day. Building resilience through morning routines can help us build the capacity within ourselves to respond positively to challenges throughout our day.
What makes a good morning routine? A morning routine is the backbone of
self-care and mental well-being. Having
a focused morning routine sets the tone for the day, and helps you prioritize
your mental and physical health. There
is no ideal morning routine that works for everyone, you should create a
routine that works for you. This should include some essential personal care
elements including washing, eating breakfast, and getting dressed, and also
some self-care elements such as stretching and writing out a list.
You should make sure that any routine you build
for yourself has the following elements:
●
It is manageable
●
It is realistic
● It factors in breaks
● It is holistic and factors in mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual wellness
How do we Create a Healthy
Routine?
Start by focusing on those activities you do
every day and always start with a good morning routine. Being consistent with performing health
behaviours will not only result in a calmer start to your day but will also
improve your overall mental health.
These tips will help you build a great morning routine:
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Prepare – plan out your morning routine the night before
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Light – when you wake up open the curtains and windows and let the
light and air in so you can ease yourself into the day
●
Make your bed – this easy task will improve your
mood. nad if you need motivation for understanding how this simple task can supercharge your day. Listen
to the YouTube video of Admiral McRaven. Entitled “if you want to change the
world start by making your bed.
●
Hydrate and nourish – rehydrating and eating a good
breakfast early helps waken our bodies and improve cognition
●
Move – movement will stimulate your body and produce serotonin
that will help your body’s ability to deal with stress and generate a feeling
of bliss
●
Gratitude – think of 3 things you are grateful for
●
Make a list – note down all the tasks you hope to complete during
the day
A good routine does not have to cost a lot of
money or take up a lot of time. That is
why it is such a great way to start the day, not only does it set you up for
the day, mentally and physically, but it also means you develop resilience to
be able to cope with the challenges sent your way. A top tip for developing a beneficial morning
routine is to cut
out a bad habit – do you start your morning by scrolling through your phone? If
so, change this up by showering first thing and grabbing a nice coffee. Swap your old non-therapeutic activities for
good morning habits. This could be something that supports your psychological
well-being such as practicing gratitude for 5 minutes or meditating.
Whatever your goals are for the day, week, or
month, having a good routine in the mornings will help you tackle your daily
goals and activities with energy, strength, and mindfulness. Morning routines provide psychological and
physical benefits and helps to lower stress levels.