Brushing your teeth. Applying deodorant. Putting on a seatbelt. Locking the door as you leave your home. Some things are just routine. You do them so often that you don’t even have to think about them. Routines like these keep you healthy, safe, and smelling great.
For other things, like flossing and drinking eight glasses of water daily, you know you should make them routine, but life gets in the way. Today’s blog post discusses why routines are good for you and how to turn a semi-regular habit into a routine.
Why is a routine so important?
In a world where everything is “urgent,” and “busy” is a badge of honor, a routine helps establish what’s truly important to you. The routine is set in stone, and everything else fits in where possible.
Setting a regular pattern may feel boring, but when you align your routine with your goals, regularity brings comfort and stress reduction. It also supports cognitive function by freeing your mind from making mundane decisions and making space to focus on complex and creative tasks. A perfect example? Steve Jobs famously wore the same black turtleneck, blue jeans, and New Balance sneakers every day, and he gave us the iPhone. What might a routine free you up to create?
Which routines should I include in my day?
Bedtime
If you’re a parent, you know the importance of a bedtime routine for your kids. But have you considered implementing one for yourself, too? A 30 to 60-minute wind-down routine could include the following:
- Drinking a mug of (caffeine-free) tea
- Journaling about your day
- Writing a to-do list for tomorrow
- Listening to a bedtime playlist
A bedtime routine can help prevent insomnia and signal to your brain that it’s time to release the day’s anxieties and focus on rest.
What you do is just as important as when you do it. Having a regular bedtime and wake-up time helps you get better rest, lower your risk of heart disease, and kickstart the human growth hormone that creates lean muscle and burns fat.
Meditation
Some people get overwhelmed by the word meditation, but it’s so much more than chanting or “om”-ing your way to inner peace. This practice of reflection helps you stay fully present in the moment while adding other benefits like:
- Reducing stress
- Enhancing memory
- Improving sleep
- Easing anxiety
- Decreasing depression
- Lowering blood pressure
If you’re a newbie to the meditation world, apps like Calm or Headspace can help you get started!
Exercise
As an online fitness brand, we know better than most the cyclical nature of exercise. We’re gearing up for full classes in January and a quieter time in February. The start/stop fitness cycle mirrors the effects of yo-yo diets, leaving people feeling discouraged. Exercise isn’t a means to an end— it’s the whole enchilada! Having an exercise routine (whether you love the way you look or want to lose a few pounds) should be consistent to achieve benefits such as:
- Improved sleep
- Enhanced brain health
- Stronger bones and muscles
- Increased energy
- Reduced risk of chronic disease
Sticking to a routine is so much easier when you have support. Sign up for online classes at Enhancewell Fitness and start a routine you’ll love!
