Our first reaction: Routine? UGGGHHH!!!
As Headspace's: https://www.headspace.com/articles/the-secret-benefit-of-routines-it-wont-surprise-you puts it…
"So excited to be shocked awake by a relentless shrill signal, force down some oat sludge, and stare at a screen for the rest of my life."
WAIT, hear me out for a second
In recent years, there's been a lot of credit and significant value in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's "the dull routine of existence". Researchers have found that routine can have profound psychological benefits, including alleviating bipolar disorder, ADHD, and insomnia.
Want to find out more? Keep reading!
A routine can help alleviate anxiety and stress
Dr. Steve Orma, a CBT (Cognitive Behavioural clinical psychologist) who specialises in treating insomnia, anxiety, stress mentions that maintaining a routine is what keeps his patients able to navigate these symptoms in their life. He says:
"To manage anxiety, you need to consistently check in with yourself about what's worrying you, then ADDRESS IT."
By being consistent with our routines, it becomes a form of exercise for our brain which in turns strengthens its muscles and makes it more likely for you to function to your best!
One way to do this is by scheduling thinking time. This is a time where you think through the problems and worries that has been weighing you down instead of letting them build up. This is one way keeping a consistent journaling practise can help those who stuggle with anxiety.
Orma adds:
"Routine helps with stress. By creating a schedule for doing chores, work tasks, meetings, exercise, and everything in between, it's easier to accomplish what you intended to because it becomes a habit!"
Career coach and writer Marty Nemko points out another soothing effect:
"A routine is something you know you can do well, which will comfort you during tough times: Modern life, increasingly defined by our unpredictability, can be anxiety provoking, BUT routines provide us with that anchor of predictability
Routine for creativity and productivity
What do Freud, Beethoven, and Georgia O'Keeffe (to name a few) have in common? A ROUTINE!!
An internationally best-selling author Haruki Murakami talking to The Paris Review:
When I'm in writing mode for a novel, I get up at 4am and work for five or six hours. In the afternoon, I run 10km or swim for 1500 meters (or do both), then I read a bit and listen to some music. I go to bed at 9pm. I keep this routine everyday without variation.
To be honest this sounds quite exciting and frankly, EXTREME. It doesnt have to be! What you need to be taking away is CONSISTENCY: Maintaing your routine EVERY. SINGLE. DAY
"Having a routine helps ensure you do things well — Marty Nemko
How to create a great routine that works for you
Here's what Orma has to say:
Sit down with pen and paper and write out everything you do each day over the course of a week. See what you can cut out or reduce. Then see what you can set as a normal routine, something you do at a set time each day or week. It has to work with your lifestyle. Once you have your routine, give it a little time and it'll start to feel like second nature— but if you feel like something isn't working, don't be afraid to change it.
Sports psychologist Dr. Jim Taylor, an expert on the power of routine for athletes in training, mentions:
"It can be worthwhile to alter routines periodically to keep things fresh and stimulating. This is another bonus tip! Once you've got a routine that work, tweaking it once in a while helps keep life fun, exciting, and enjoyable!
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