Routine

The research on routines is clear. They are effective. They help us activate when we are feeling low, automate decisions so we don’t burn willpower, and prime our mind-body system to move into tasks more easily. If you work out every morning, you don’t have to think about working out, you just do it. And, if you’re like most people, you feel much better afterward, regardless of how you were feeling before.

Although routines can be magical, there is no magic routine. What works for one person might not work for others. This is problematic for those in the cult of routines, especially those looking to make a buck selling their own.

Different people have different natural and unique ebbs and flows of energy that individuals experience over the course of 24 hours. Whether it’s a physically or cognitively demanding task, science has shown that most people tend to perform their best either in the earlier part of the day or in the latter part of the day. Scientists refer to those who are most alert in the morning as larks and those who are most alert in the evening as owls. These individual differences are rooted in our bodies’ unique biological rhythms—when various hormones associated with energy and focus are released and when our body temperatures rise and fall. There is no evidence that either way of being is inherently better. There is, however, evidence that fighting against your biology is detrimental.

Other research shows that many of the typical features of “optimal routines” affect different people differently. Some people perform better while listening to music. Others do not. Some people get a boost from caffeine. Others experience anxiety or an upset stomach.

The bottom line is that the only way to an optimal routine is through astute self-awareness—not mimicking what other people do—and experimentation. The more you can match your activities to your energy levels, the better. The more you can figure out which types of environments stimulate your best work, the better.There are, of course, certain behaviours that are close to universally effective, such as exercise and sleep. But again: there is no optimal time, place, or way to engage in these behaviours. You’ve got to figure out what works for you.

There is also a danger of becoming overly attached to your routine. If for whatever reason you can’t stick to it—you’re travelling, your special coffee shop closes, whatever elixir you order from your favourite podcast’s advertising goes out of business—you won’t know what to do. The first rule of routines is to develop one and stick with it. The second rule is to cultivate the capacity to easily release from it.

I don’t have a special routine that will dramatically change your life. But you could develop your own that would. Just make sure that you’re willing, and able, to let it go.

People are creatures of habit, and routines offer a way to promote health and wellness through structure and organization. Having a routine can greatly improve your health.

Many people who don’t have any type of routine suffer from:

·        Stress. No routine often means having the constant worry of “when will I get it all done.”

·        Poor sleep. Without a daily routine at work and/or home, you may find yourself playing catch-up with yesterday’s to-do list. If you’re always behind on what should have been done the day before, you’re likely also staying awake worrying about what didn’t.

·        Poor eating. Unhealthy diets (like eating lots of fast food) become the norm if there isn’t time scheduled for grocery shopping. Quick, unhealthy substitutes become the next best food option.

·        Poor physical condition. Working out usually requires some advance planning.

·        Ineffective use of time. Often, no routine means you simply run out of time, leaving things undone and not making the most of your time.

 Routines Can Be Fun

Routines can be fun and don’t need to be boring. Their health benefits will make you wonder why you didn’t start one earlier.

 Some ways a routine can help include:

 Better stress levels lead to improved mental health, more time to relax and less anxiety. A lack of healthy stress management techniques can put you at greater risk for heart disease and negatively impact your overall health.

Better sleep will leave you refreshed. Your daily routine influences your quality of rest. Your sleep schedule and bedtime habits affect your mental sharpness, performance, emotional well-being and energy level. It’s best if you can maintain a consistent time for waking and going to bed.

Better health is a result of just a little extra planning. Set the alarm a little earlier and you’ll have time to exercise and eat breakfast, fueling your body for the day. Even a quick (and healthy) breakfast will get you energized. Whether you like to just go for a run or go to the gym for a bigger workout, it’s important to make time for exercise.

Good example setting will encourage others to try a routine as well. You demonstrate its importance and the positive effect it has on health, motivation and self-esteem.

 Kick-Start Your Life

Everyone is unique. Not everyone requires a fully scheduled day to reap the health benefits of a routine, so make the choices that work for you, knowing they’ll only make you healthier and more efficient with your time. My stress levels plummeted...

Sleep became effortless...

And my productivity skyrocketed…

All because of… my daily routine.

But when I studied some of the most successful people on the planet, I found they all followed their own precise daily habits, which made a huge difference to their life experiences.

The science is clear.

A routine radically reduces stress because your daily activities are predictable and familiar.

And when your brain is less stressed, you become more productive and creative.

Not only that, but the cumulative effects of positive habits also build exponentially, creating dramatic change quicker than you’d think.

Here are 3 simple ways to add a routine to your day: 

• Go to sleep and wake up at the same time every day (even on weekends)
• Eat meals at regular times
• Exercise daily at the same time (if possible)

Now, I know what you’re thinking…

That sounds so boring!

So, as an experiment, why not try creating your own positive routine -- and following it for just a week?