There are so many studies and articles out there about how important routines are for kids, and especially infants; but what about adults? Does something in our genetic make up change as we get older and we no longer “need” routine in our lives? Our answer is, NO! We believe routines are important for ALL humans, young and old to help manage and reduce stress.
According to Dr. Steve Orma, a CBT clinical psychologist specializing in treating insomnia, anxiety and stress, “Routine [also] helps with stress … Create a set schedule for doing chores, work tasks, meetings, exercise, paying bills, and all the usual things you need to do. Put these into your schedule. Once this becomes your normal routine, it’s easier to accomplish everything, because it becomes habit.”
An added benefit of making a routine is the ability to break bad habits. Melani from NaturalQi.com suggests, “Pick the things you don’t want to be doing. Define what the opposite of those are, and start pushing for habits in the opposite direction. Instead of trying to avoid bad habits, it’s easier to start to create new ones.” Once you stick to a good routine for at least 21-days, it will become a habit, and your old, bad habits will fall to the wayside.
Starting a routine will not only make your day go smoother, but you will also notice the benefit of better sleep! Sleep is so important for your mental/physical well-being. The National Sleep Foundation says going to bed and waking up at the same time every day helps regulate your internal clock, therefore making it easier to fall and stay asleep at night.
So, as you can see, routines are extremely important for helping reduce stress, but one last thing to note is the equally important aspect of having a supportive partner. Having a supportive partner is more of a lifestyle choice than it is a “routine”, but it is just as important nonetheless. A good supportive partner does not have to be a romantic partner, it can just as well be a close friend. This person is someone who can help relieve stress by practically and emotionally guiding you to focus on all of the important things in life.
Coming up with a routine might sound more stressful than it is worth, but this could not be further from the truth! When starting a new routine, and sticking with it, the first rule is to make the routine work for YOU. Your friends and family may have routines and tips, but use your best judgments in deciding what will work best for your lifestyle.