The bus leaves in five minutes, time is running out. But the key just can’t be found. A situation that causes unnecessary stress. A routine could help here. If you get in the habit of always putting your key in a bowl on the living room table or hanging it on a key rack, you will waste less time looking for the lost key and will be less stressed. In addition, there is more time for the things that are fun. This is just one positive effect of everyday routines. They also help to make healthy choices, because once established routines are part of the fixed habits. Instead of having to make decisions over and over again, the learned routine dictates that we eat an apple every day, for example. How healthy routines help us and how we can incorporate them into everyday life.
Those who have daily routines also support cognitive abilities. Research has shown that regular work processes allow workers to avoid having to expend their cognitive energy on repetitive tasks. This can help focus and creativity, says Megan Edgelow, an assistant professor of health sciences at Queen’s University in Ontario in The Conversation. For older people, routines can even help them cope better in their home environment. Not only in times of crisis, routines also help to make the situation feel more controllable and predictable.
But routines don’t just have to be there to be more productive, to structure the day or to save time: “Routines can also add some spice to our lives. Research indicates that a health-promoting activity such as hiking can offer the opportunity to enjoying the great outdoors, exploring new places and socializing,” says Megan Edgelow.
But if you want to integrate new, healthy routines into everyday life, you shouldn’t do too much. Until a routine runs more or less automatically, it is exhausting to read the plan for 15 minutes every day and actually put it into practice. In a University College study, 96 students were asked to adopt a new and healthy daily routine. On average, the subjects needed 66 days for the new behavior to take place automatically. In other words, it takes time to integrate new routines into your own life.
Research suggests that making too many changes too quickly is more likely to lead to behavioral relapse. Instead of making ten new routines, it’s better to start with just one. Whether an analogue calendar or an app on the smartphone, the new routine(s) should be scheduled – like a fixed appointment in the calendar. And if you don’t manage to go for the daily walk in the first week, you shouldn’t be too strict with yourself.
Some routines can also be combined well with each other. If you want to meet a friend once a week and go to yoga once a week, you could do the yoga class with a friend.
Tips for new routines that are good for your body and mind:
Sources: The Conversation, PsychCentral, Creativity Study in Sage Journals, Habits Study in National Library of Medicine, University College Study
