Routines help rebuild a sense of order amid the chaos. Putting a routine in place can help you feel more in control of your circumstances. Let’s begin with a few common questions.
What is routine management?
Managing your routine is simply a way of using your time well: making room for activities you want to do, and limiting the ones you do not. Finding a routine that works for you takes time, but the effort is well worth it.
Adopting healthy routines has also been shown to have a positive impact on your mental health.
Are routines for people who like to go with the flow?
Maybe not. That said, even people who prefer to “go with the flow” usually have to function within some everyday constraints.
You may want to relax and not plan anything over the weekend, but if you are a student, parent or working professional, a little routine management on weekdays can help you truly relax at the weekend.
Tips to start a routine, beginning with bedtime
Here are some tips you can use to establish and maintain routines:
- Have a sleep routine before bedtime, such as brushing your teeth and washing your face.
- Try not to keep electronics around your bed. If you would like to watch that last episode of The Office, get out of bed, watch it, and then come back.
- Try sleeping with socks on.
- Try going to bed and waking up around the same time each day.
Getting support
Even when life feels unstructured and your feelings are complicated, professional mental health care is still available. If you are unsure whether you need it, these signs you might benefit from therapy can help. You can book a session with a Trijog therapist or call the Trijog helpline on 1800 202 7180.
