Are Routines Worth It?

Adhering to a routine benefits many lifestyles. It can help reduce stress, enhance mood, and boost productivity. Routines come in various forms, including morning routines, skincare routines, or even workout routines.

Despite their diversity, all routines share one common element:

Consistency.

This is key to maximizing the benefits of a personal routine. By completing tasks consistently at set times, you save time for passions or additional sleep, which also promotes better health.

To begin, why not track your routines? We've got you covered with our 2025 Rise & Thrive healthy habit tracker, your ultimate tool for achieving goals throughout the year. Available for both online access and print, this tracker includes spaces to monitor sleep, daily habits, and even offers helpful tips. Let's make 2025 a thriving year together!

Ready to start? Click the images below to access your tracker and begin!

If you encounter any issues accessing your tracker, click here for a step-by-step tutorial.

What is a Routine?

Routines are regular tasks or occurrences that happen repeatedly over time. They can be as simple as brushing your teeth morning and night or as specific as planning a workout targeting certain body areas. In the short term, routines help us achieve goals and manage daily needs. Long term, they are essential for establishing healthy habits.

If you're enthusiastic about organizing routines, you're among the fortunate ones. Some people thrive on creating charts, lists, and maintaining order, often also crafting homemade greeting cards. If that describes you, you'll find this article particularly enjoyable.

For others who might not be as organized and hesitated to read about routines, we're glad you stayed. There's plenty to learn here about enhancing your well-being, achieving more, and even improving yourself!

Benefits of a Routine

One of the most significant benefits of routines is their impact on stress and mood. They provide stability during life changes or events and help manage stress.¹ Routines also support the commitment to healthy habits that foster an overall healthy lifestyle.

Routines can enhance productivity as you see your to-do list diminish. This progress can help you focus better and start your day successfully.

How to Start a Routine

Anyone can start a routine—the challenge is sticking with it. Follow these tips to turn your routine into a lasting habit.

1. Make a To-Do List

Staying organized is easier with a visible to-do list. Some may prefer a flexible approach, handling tasks throughout the day, while others might set aside specific times for activities. Whatever your style, crossing items off as you complete them can be satisfying.

2. Take Small Steps

Starting with small steps is crucial when introducing a new routine. Overhauling your entire day can be overwhelming and may hinder the formation of a new routine, so set yourself up for success by beginning with manageable changes.²

Start with something simple, like establishing a consistent bedtime or taking time for mindful meditation in the morning. This allows you to celebrate small victories and expand your goals when you're ready.

3. Personalize Your Routine

Remember, this routine is tailored by you, for you. Everyone has unique responsibilities and schedules, so no two routines will look the same—and that's perfectly fine.

Focus on areas you wish to improve, such as incorporating vegetables into every meal, turning off electronics an hour before bed, or walking daily for 30 minutes.

Avoid the misconception that you must rise at 5 AM to succeed. Consistency is what matters, not the time you wake up.

4. Remove Obstacles That Cause Stress

If your to-do list involves numerous decisions, try to minimize them to reduce stress and stay focused on personal priorities.

Consider signing up for automatic deliveries of groceries or essentials to save time and avoid overspending. Meal prepping and overnight oats are excellent time-savers for meals.

5. Have Flexibility for When Life Happens

While a predictable life might seem dull, it's rarely achievable. Allow some flexibility in your schedule and be kind to yourself when unexpected events occur.

6. Be Good to Yourself

Forming habits takes time, ranging from 18 to 254 days, depending on the person and the habit.³ Hold yourself accountable, but don't be too harsh if you miss a task. There's always an opportunity for improvement the next day.

We hope these six steps help you establish your routine and kickstart new healthy habits. If you enjoyed this article, you might also like 14 Adaptogens for Stress Support and How to Tackle your Goals.

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*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Sources

1. Effects of Activity Limitation and Routinization on Mental Health. The Occupational Therapy Journal of Research. Read more

2. The Importance of Creating Habits and Routine. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine. Read more

3. How are habits formed: Modelling habit formation in the real world. Eur. J. Soc. Psychol. Read more