Everybody has them. Some are beneficial, some detrimental. Some conscious, most unconscious. Some created, most learned. We use them at different times of the day to get amped up and focus, or to calm down and rest.
Ultimately, the routines we have and do most often give us a glimpse into our priorities, and motivation behind our actions.
We’ve all seen the articles or social media posts that are over the top recommendations for the average person about morning or evening routines.
Go for a fasted 5k run followed by weights, then meditate for an hour, followed by a full breakfast, finally sauna and a cold shower all before 8am and you’re ready for the day!
These things themselves aren’t necessarily bad, but most often these kinds of recommendations are more suitable for a professional athlete or “influencer” than the general population.
Most of us simply want to be happy, healthy, fit, and have a sense of calm without sacrificing our limited free time too much.
The steps below will help you determine where you could potentially improve on certain routines you have or show you where you probably could put some more focus without completely uprooting your day to day schedule.
The beautiful part is like all things there will always be change. What may be beneficial for you now may not be needed in a few weeks. Or you may find a certain routine can last years.
Check in periodically to see if your habits are benefitting you and don’t be afraid to make a change if you notice it’s needed.
Where could I benefit from a daily routine?
The easiest place to begin is where you have the most control of your time. For most of us this is in the morning before the day, or at night before bed.
These are usually the best places to start anyway because these times can give you the energy and frame of mind you’ll need to do what you need throughout the day, or give you the environment suitable to fully relax, recover, and unwind.
What do I do in my routine?
This is where things get tricky for me and easier for you. The reason for this is that it will be completely individualized (based on your likes, lifestyle, culture, goals etc.).
Based on the two most common times mentioned above we can try a few simple things that could kickstart the more individualized habits/routines you want to implement after the momentum of the examples listed below that all of us could benefit from.
Morning:
– Habit: Water first thing upon waking. This will not only help your hydration, but kick start your body after it went the whole night without getting hydration. (Remember a lot of us is water, it’s pretty important!)
–>Ways to Start: put a glass of water next to your bed, fill your coffee mug with water first so you need to drink that before you can put coffee in, buy a fancy new water bottle you love etc.
– Habit: No social input first thing. Mainly what I mean by this is going on social media or watching the news first thing in the morning. The main reason is so you don’t get a stress response to something you may not even be intending to see that causes stress and lingering thought loops for the rest of the day.
–>Ways to Start: No screens until x o’clock, spend that time planning your day instead, get quality time in with loved ones, exercise, journal etc.
Evening:
– Habit: Relax (ground breaking info I know). Help let your body and mind know that it’s time to start winding down and to forget about everything in the past or the future. This is huge for settling into parasympathetic or recovery mode.
–>Ways to Start: nighttime stretching routine, quality time with loved ones, meditation, reading, listening to calming music, watching a relaxing show etc.
– Habit: Destress with a Hobby. This can give us something to look forward to doing without just dissociating or checking out at the end of the day. (This has been huge for me personally.)
–>Ways to Start: The key is it has to be something that ISN’T related to work AT ALL. Find something that sounds enjoyable that can help you get out of the day to day and into the present moment, something where you do it for the joy of doing it verses trying to accomplish or achieve something.
What This Means Going Forward:
Ultimately we turn into the summation of our routines, habits and beliefs. Physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
The more we take responsibility and conscious control over our time and actions we can begin to set up the life we want that is not only the most enjoyable, but most aligned to bring us our desired health and wellness benefits.
This all starts with the time we have most control over, and how we choose to fill it.
To Your Success,
– Josh
