The Reason for Routine

"Look for magic in daily routine."- Lou Barlow, alt rock musician and songwriter

Routines get a bad rap. "If you think adventure is dangerous, try routine; it is lethal," is a Paulo Coelho quote that many would agree with. I get the sentiment.

But I think the quote is more an overall viewpoint about life -- the dangers of being stagnant and staying in your comfort zone versus growing and changing. In our day to day, though, routine can be powerful.

As someone who veers from having a solid routine in place to just winging it every day, I've experienced the positive difference routines make. So I thought I'd talk about it today.

Likely you have some sort of bedtime routine. It probably involves brushing and flossing your teeth, maybe washing your face or taking a bath or shower. Perhaps when you get into bed you read for a bit or drink some water. You may not consciously think of it as a routine, but if you do the same thing every night, it's your bedtime routine.

Do you also have a morning routine? Or certain things you do every single day? Those are routines. And if you become more aware of them and stick to them, they are definitely beneficial.

Strong routines are linked to better mental health, cognition, and energy. They reduce stress and anxiety.

I go through phases with routine. At times I have a solid morning routine where I wake up at the same time every day, listen to a meditation, do a little writing and reflecting, and some type of movement like stretching. This helps my mental and emotional state and positive mindset, setting me up for a good day.

During other periods of my life, routine goes out the door. In the mornings I'm either scrambling to get out of bed after hitting the snooze button one too many times, or sleeping in super late and feeling lethargic and fuzzy when I finally manage to rouse myself out of my bed. Or times I stay up until 3 or 4 in the morning watching TV, fall asleep on the couch, and barely make it through the day. 

There's a stark difference for me when I go with routines and go without. Not having a solid morning routine (or any daily routine at all) tends to make me feel guilty, puts me in a bad mood, and makes me feel like I'm behind for the rest of the day.

Consciously or not, I'm sure we've all experienced this. So solid routines can set us up well everyday, and not just in the morning. They provide structure and an anchor to which we can tie our daily actions. They help us feel like we've accomplished something, and they are an important touchpoint for measuring how well we're doing mentally and emotionally. 

When we deviate from a healthy routine, like not brushing our teeth or showering for example, this is a sign to check in with ourselves on our mental health. People we interact with regularly may also get tuned into our state of mind when we consistently call in sick for work or never leave the house.

Personally speaking, the COVID-19 pandemic made me much more aware of my routines and the pitfalls of letting them go. So even when I've fallen away from a good routine, I'll try to keep one or two easy, simple daily habits to feel like I haven't gone completely off the rails. Maybe I'll make my bed in the morning as the one consistent thing I keep when I'm not waking up at the same time every day, or I'll take some time out of my day to do a quick breathing exercise to feel centered.

The success in routines is making them stick. Here are a few ways to do that.

Personalize Your Routines

Build routines that work for you. Think about how your body feels, when you have the most energy, and how you define accomplishments. Keep in mind that your small victories lead to larger ones, so you don't necessarily have to overhaul everything in your life. Maybe try incorporating a few daily habits into your everyday routine until you can add more.

Write Them Down

I jotted down my best morning routine so I don't have to try to remember everything I want to do. Having a list of what you do consistently each day unburdens you from having to remember, and checking off each of those items gives you a sense of accomplishment.

Get Inspired

If you have a hard time with coming up with a routine that works for you, try someone else's on for size. Or mix and match different elements from other people's routines to see what works for you. If you'd like a fast, easy and effective morning routine, for example, download my free 15-Minute Centered Morning Checklist.

Lose The Guilt

Life happens. It's inevitable you'll fall out of your routine. Don't beat yourself up over it. Just get back up on that horse the next day (or week, or month, or year)! Weeks and sometimes even months have gone by for me where I'm struggling to get back into my routines. But once I do, I ditch feeling guilty about it and keep going. Don't waste your time and energy feeling bad about what you can't change; focus on the benefits you get when you're back to practicing your routine.

Build In Rewards

Our brains love a good dopamine hit. Find small ways to reward yourself for sticking to your routines and accomplishing your goals. If your routine involves tidying up your space, for example, light up one of your favorite candles after you've done it. Not only will it make the routine more pleasant, but it subconsciously links the two, telling your brain to keep doing it. 

Change It Up

After a while, your routine may not feel as effective as when you started. Don't be afraid to exchange something that's not working for something else that is. This doesn't mean you're constantly experimenting. Once you have a healthy routine in place, stick to it. But if it's just not working for you after you've been doing it for a long while, it's okay to see if something else works better. When you've made your tweaks, don't deviate.

Resources for Routines

What is a Routine? 9 Ways to Define A Routine That Works -- LifeHack

How to Start a New Routine and Stick To It -- Northshore University HealthSystem

15-Minute Centered Morning Checklist -- All You. All In.