The Importance Of Having a Routine

A routine can be something as simple as waking up, brushing your teeth and making a cup of coffee every morning. Routines can be observed in the smallest of activities to the most complex projects. We naturally fall into a rhythm of doing things a certain way at certain times and this constitutes what we usually call a routine. While almost everyone has some sort of a routine, how actively we create and manage this routine varies significantly. Some want to manage every second of their day while others just follow the day as it comes.

Why is a routine important?

A routine can have a big impact on your daily activities, your success, and even on your mental and physical well being. A good routine that works for you and supports you can help reduce anxiety with predictability, and while having routine can seem boring, it is integral for building a safe and controlled environment.

In a study of 2,000 Americans by OnePoll on behalf of Wrangler, 67% of participants said that they rarely strayed from their routines, and 20% said that their routine hadn't changed in a decade. This is strong evidence that most of us prefer repetition and it makes us feel more comfortable when we know what to expect. We all have things we do in repetition; maybe it is waking up at the same time, making breakfast, going to work, watching TV, making dinner and taking a shower. These are a few of the many examples of what could be a part of your routine.

While it is important to have a routine, it is also important to accept that life is unpredictable and things will not always go according to plan. As a result of this, I like to leave room for breaks and flex time in my schedule. This time can be used to catch up on tasks left behind, take a break, learn something new, take a nap or do anything that you want! That is the fun part of flexible time.

Routine or change. Can we have both?

The same study concluded that 45% felt that the regular routines brought comfort and 51% thought their routine could use some change. I also believe that “changing it up” is important even in your routine for it to continue to work for you as you change. One way I continue to change my routine is that every year I learn a new skill. This could be swimming, pottery, gardening or even learning a new language. All I have to do is to incorporate it into my routine. This adds a fun activity to my schedule and gives me the opportunity to learn something new!

Routines are important and their impact can be huge on how they impact our well being. At the same time changing your routine and re-evaluating your needs is equally important. If you feel stuck in your routine, overwhelmed or just unhappy about it, this is your reminder to take a small step today, every little change counts.

If you are looking to learn more about routines and want to create, optimize or improve your routine, follow our Campaign on Road to Routine | Making Millennium

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Resource: 80% of Americans Admit to Being Stuck in a Routine - digitalhub US (swnsdigital.com)