Insight Behavioral Health – As we enter the busy final months of the year, life can feel overwhelming. Although everyone deals with stress differently, feelings of anxiety, burnout, and depression can take a serious toll on your mental health and overall well-being when not addressed properly. One particularly effective tool for improving mental health that is often overlooked is creating new routines. It may seem like something simple that we all do on a regular basis, but taking time to set up structure in your day can not only provide a sense of control, but also consistency and comfort in times of disorder or uncertainty. Here are five ways new routines can help improve your mental health.
Routines Reduce Anxiety
Feelings of chaos or loss of control are common when we do not have sufficient structure in our lives. Not knowing what to expect or feeling unprepared can also lead to unnecessary anxiety and stress. Setting routines throughout the day offers a sense of predictability which can make our lives feel more manageable. Routines can also reduce anxiety by eliminating the stress that comes with determining tasks that need to be completed and encourage you to to avoid procrastination and feelings of anxiety about outstanding responsibilities. Unsure where to begin? Start with developing a morning routine, including a consistent time when you wake up and set tasks like showering, eating breakfast, or exercise.
New Habits Offer a Sense of Purpose
Many people struggling with mental health issues experience a lack of direction or purpose in their lives. A simple but effective way to address this is developing new routines and habits that provide fulfillment. This can be something as simple as completing a responsibility around the house, working out, or engaging in a self-care activity. Whatever you choose, making these tasks a habit will help give you new meaning and a renewed sense of purpose in an otherwise hectic world.
Develop Resilience
Life comes with many uncertainties, which can lead to stress, anxiety, and other mental health challenges. When things seem to veer off track or we experience a setback, one of the best ways to rebound and develop resilience is through the establishment of routines. Routines help us believe in our abilities, maintain perspective, and embrace change throughout our lives. It is also important to give yourself grace and learn from your experiences when something in life goes wrong. Flexibility and the ability to adapt are skills that can be applied to so many aspects of life.
Routines Lead to Healthier Habits
It is easy to fall into unhealthy habits that can impact our mental health when we don’t have routines. But if you’re interested in eating better, getting more exercise, or improving productivity, you’re much more likely to stick to your goals with an established routine. For example, a daily walk or gym visit and eating a nutritious meal support both your physical and mental health. Keeping healthy habits is always easier said than done, so start small. This may be a ten minute walk after dinner each night or making a shopping list before every visit to the grocery store to ensure you are purchasing nutritious foods – something that you can commit to and build from.
Improved Relationships
Whether it’s work, school, or extracurricular activities, life can get hectic and our relationships with loved ones can suffer when we’re all on different schedules. Routines can help strengthen these relationships and support healthy communication. Whether it’s establishing a daily meal with family, scheduling a weekly call with a friend, or setting aside special time with a partner, having these routines in place offers stability in a fast-paced world and ensures the relationships most important to us are maintained.
Routines are often overlooked, but they can have a profound impact on our mental health. The structure, consistency, and sense of purpose that comes with these foundations in our lives can improve anxiety, stress, and our overall health and well-being. Although routines are beneficial, they cannot solve every mental health issue. If you or a loved one are struggling with mental health, it is important to be proactive and seek help from a professional. Take the first step by contacting Insight Behavioral Health to schedule an appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are some small routine changes that can help improve my mental health?
A: Starting small is one of the best ways to introduce new routines into our lives and get results. Making time for daily walks, maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, and planning ahead for each day are all simple but highly effective ways to improve your mental health and well-being.
Q: How long will it take to see results after establishing a new routine?
A: Each person is different, but it is likely you will start to experience benefits from your efforts within a few weeks of consistency. The key is to start small and build on your successes gradually.
Q: What can I do if I’m not motivated enough to establish routines in my life?
A: If you’re struggling with making routines work in your life, start by waking up at the same time each day and setting aside a few minutes for yourself. This can be enjoying a cup of coffee, reading, prayer, or anything meaningful to you. Starting each day on a positive note makes a big difference in how you approach the rest of your day. It’s also important to set goals and treat yourself when you reach them.