Integrating routine into your daily life is a powerful form of self-care. Routine eliminates the stress of having to make decisions. It settles the nervous system, and repeated, it becomes our new way of being. A few tweaks to the following routines can do wonders for your mental and physical wellness. Here are three daily routines you may want to reconsider:
Your morning routine
Are you starting your day in way that sets you up for the rest of the day? Beware of reaching for your phone too soon and opening yourself up to the demands in your inbox or the energy drain of scrolling social media. Reclaim your mornings by prioritizing an activity that leaves you feeling good.
If you’re not sure where to start, try mediation, exercise, a mindful shower or sipping your coffee slowly while listening to music.
Your work routine
Do you make time for self-care within your working hours? A long-time favourite productivity method used by the Tranceform Team is the Pomodoro method. Simply pick a single task, remove all other distractions, set yourself a timer for 25 minutes and work away on that task until your time is up. Once the timer goes off you should take a short break to ‘reset’ your mind. This technique helps to break down big tasks and also enforces a regular self-care break throughout the day.
You could also take a mindful walk on your lunch break or change-up the scenery by taking your meeting in a local coffee shop.
Your evening routine
How much time do you set aside to wind-down from the day before going to bed? Often underestimated, the power of a solid wind-down routine is very helpful in assuring a good night’s sleep. I’m very luxurious with my routine, setting aside a whole 2 hours before bed to wind down, but some people are happy with just 30 minutes. My routine includes turning down the lights, doing my skincare, journaling, and reading before drifting off to some sleep music.
Try a short meditation before bed using Insight Timer or maybe even enjoy a warm bath before getting into to your comfies.
Use the new year as an opportunity to rejig your routines into something that serves you.
Sending loving kindness your way,
Jess
