Creating routine allows us to build a system that allocates time for the important things. In addition, routine gives you a structure to your day and provides a sense of control. Routines and habits works hand in hand. We can avoid bad habits such as procrastination and laziness through routines because it triggers our brain to sense signals on functioning automatically without putting much thought into it.
Research indicates that individuals in good health engage in highly routine health behaviors. So, if you are looking to improve your life, start having routines. What type of routine can you start building?
Here are a few examples of routines that I do as my daily rituals and you can do.
Morning Ritual
Begin your day with a morning routine as your first thing to be done. For example, your morning regime could be waking up, meditation, working out for 30 minutes, and getting ready to work. As a result, your body will behave automatically and will resist procrastination in the morning.
Work Routine
Have you ever wasted time checking on your phone or social media when you are supposed to be working? Setting up a work routine will help you to stay focus and productive at work. For example, you put away your phone in your drawer, log in to your computer, and looking at your planner the moment you reach your office is a great way to start a work routine.
Evening Ritual
Evening routines are great to start preparing yourself to wind down a long stressful day. I set a daily schedule of bedtime at 9.30 pm on my phone so that I don’t receive notifications or calls that can disrupt my winding down session. Then, I will floss, brush my teeth, set up my Young n Living diffuser, read a book, drink a glass of water before going to bed. So this has stuck as my routine that I don’t put much thought into it. I do it.
Having an evening routine is essential to have enough sleep, and your energy levels the next day will be fully charged.
Weekly Routine
I pre-plan my tasks every week, which I plan by the hour and follow 75% of the time. This is my way of having proper time management. I don’t have much time to waste as I incorporate the things that I want to focus on like my blog, Youtube videos, home, and family. I set Sundays as my day to do my weekly planning. I am so used to it that it just comes naturally every Sunday.
Household routines
My home routine, such as folding clothes and ironing, comes once a week (batching tasks to save time). I set a specific day and time to do these routines, and I do it while I watch my favourite shows. It is less stress for me to think about those piles of clothes because I know that I will do it on Monday. Another great example is that each time after cooking, I have habit of washing the pans and wiping clean the hood and hob before starting to eat. I have maintained the cleanliness of my kitchen
So, these are some examples of healthy routines that I have created which eased on my mental energy.
Benefits of Routine
Reduce Stress
Our work day can be stressful because we put in loads of energy and thoughts in doing our job. Routine pretty much takes away the thought process because you do your routines as your second nature. Your energy levels do not deplete when you have routines. Better stress level gives your more time to relax and reduce your anxiety.
Maximise time
A regular routine helps you maximize time because you master the tasks and have been doing it regularly to complete them within a blocked time. It also makes you accountable for your time and leads you to understand how you want to spend your time.
Routines help you to achieve your goals
If your goals are to be healthy, writing a book, earn a second degree, etc. To achieve your goals, you need to spend time, and as I mentioned earlier, routines will maximise your time by spending on things that matters.
How to Create Routines
Daily practice is the answer. Your first step is to develop a solid daily routine that you will enjoy to form healthy habits. I would suggest you write down and print out strong routines that you plan to work on. Then, figure out how it can be parts of daily life.
If it is a weekly routine, then daily practice is out of the question. But, you can have a daily practice of opening your planner or routine sheet that you have created. This habit needs to be developed in yourself as second nature. Once it is, then you can master pretty much any routine that you would like to.
For example, you may want to start writing a book that you’ve been procrastinating for ages. First, decide when is the best time your ideas flow. Then, set goals like writing five pages a day or creating a skeleton for my chapters. It’s up to you. So, if you are a morning person, fix 7 am as your writing time. Create a routine of fixing yourself a cup of coffee and sit down at a specific place that your creativity flows. Set a timer for 30 minutes (example only) and start writing.
If nothing comes out, it’s okay. But sit there and put laser-like focus only to write content for your book. No phones, no web browsing. Nothing else. Do this daily without fail. Eventually, it will become a habit, and you will start writing. The smell of the coffee bean may even trigger the urge to write. Trust Me. Hahaha…
Start Small
Don’t start your routines with too many tasks. Start small. Combine it with the easiest thing. Have a fixed schedule and set time on when you plan to do it. Let’s say you want to exercise, but you have been failing to do so because the hardest part is to start. Then, combine your workout session with watching your favourite program. When you think about catching up on your favourite show, you will switch on the TV and do the workout.
This is how I can complete the basket load of clothes. Sometimes, I feel odd to watch TV on the days that I don’t fold clothes 🙂
Focus one habit at a time
According to Leo Babauta in his book The Power of Less, to have a habit, you need to focus one habit at a time, one habit per month, to channel your entire energy into creating that one habit. So, ensure that your routines concentrate on one habit at a time and not many.
Final Words
I hope this will help you to start a new routine to build a system that will create new habits and brings you all the good things in the best ways that you can imagine. Remember, even small change will lead to a giant leap in your lifestyle. So let me know in the comments what are you deciding to work on?