How Routines Can Improve Mental Health

Everyday we are given various tasks to complete whether that be at work, home, school, etc. We all have schedules that we have to follow but what people are often lacking despite having a schedule is having a routine. Routines are practices that we regularly follow and can set in place for ourselves rather than the schedules we conform to everyday. 

Routines are really important because they help reduce stress and the uncertainty that we may face during the day. Having practices that we do every day allow for more feelings of control and security rather than waiting for the unexpected. Here are some ways that you can incorporate routines into your life. 

1. Meals: Meal prepping or writing out a meal planning calendar can be very beneficial in establishing routine and diminishing the stress of what to buy at the grocery store and what to eat each day. Meal prepping is a really great way to do this especially if you are on the go. Planning also allows you to make healthier choices because you won’t have to make quick decisions and you will already have the ingredients to make a meal rather than go out to eat. 

2. Sleep: Having a wind down routine can greatly improve your quality of sleep which in turn reduces stress levels. Creating a routine that sets your space up for sleep will allow you to start to calm down before bed and signal to your brain that you need to go to sleep. Some different things that you can incorporate into your nightly activities is to read a book, create a skincare routine, drink calming tea, and reduce screen time.

3. Mornings: The morning is such a crucial time of day because your mornings set you up for the rest of the day. Having a good morning routine will allow you to start your day on the right foot and bring you into the rest of your day with calm energy. Different practices that you can add to your morning to create a routine are doing a workout or stretching, meditating, getting fresh air, and journaling. 

The mental health benefits of routine can apply to everyone, but specifically people going through addiction recovery can greatly benefit from having a routine. Planning allows people to feel more in control and slow down the decision making process. Routines allow us to fill our day with productive thoughts and actions which allow for less stressors, preventing a potential relapse.

Creating routines that work for you is the first step to establishing this new practice. There are many different ways to create routines and ways that you can help yourself stick to them. 

1. Write them down: Writing out your routines can hold you accountable and allow you to see where they fit into your current daily schedule and tasks. Some different ways to do this could be getting an hourly planner that allows you to write out your day or make a to-do list of the different things you want to incorporate into your daily routine. 

2. Create manageable routines: Routines are only beneficial if they make sense for you. If the mornings are super busy, then make a small list of things that you can do in the morning. This can be as simple as writing out the order in which you would like to do your current tasks like brushing your teeth, then making breakfast, then getting dressed. This will allow you to have the order of your routine consistent without adding anything new. 

3. Making small changes: Fully changing the way you currently do things can be very overwhelming if you are wanting to add and change your current routine. Start with small changes and slowly incorporate all the different things you want to change in your day. For example if you want to change your nightly routine to minimize screen time and prioritize winding down, do not fully change the way you go to bed now. Start with dimming your lighting earlier in the night and decreasing your screen time from an hour to thirty minutes. Small changes are sustainable and lead to big differences over time.

Prioritizing our mental health is so important and a great way to do this is through establishing routines. Determine what you want your routine to be, make changes if necessary, start slow, and you will be on your way to having a more calm and consistent day. 

For some, meeting with a counselor can be helpful when looking to establish routines. Positive Directions has got your back. To learn more about our services go to www.positivedirections.org or call 203.227.7644 to speak with our Clinic Coordinator, Emily, and schedule an appointment. All insurances accepted and open availability.