Adapting, Coping & Achieving with Routines
Let’s face it, many of us lead pretty fast-paced lives. The idea of maintaining a semblance of structure can seem mind-boggling. How? When? But here’s the thing… daily routines, especially those in the morning and nighttime, are more than just a sequence of habits. Routines are powerful tools that can help us adapt to challenges, cope with stress, and achieve our biggest goals. Establishing and maintaining effective morning and nighttime routines is a game changer!
Routines provide a sense of predictability and control, something the human brain likes VERY much. When life feels too chaotic, we naturally seek order. When life feels out of control, having a set of activities you perform regularly can ground you. The structure of a routine isn't just about getting things done (although, that’s certainly fulfilling!); it’s about creating a rhythm that supports your mental and physical well-being, that supports your Full Circle Wellness!
Morning Routines: Winning the Day
Y’all. This wasn’t me. For the longest time I was a “roll out of bed at the last minute and go” kind of gal. And guess what? It made me cranky, resentful, and stressed for the entire day. What a waste!
Fortunately I learned. It took some doing, let me tell you, but I learned. A solid, productive day often starts with a well-planned morning routine. In my experience, getting up and getting a few things done before the rest of the world is even awake is life changing.
Yes, it’s hard.
When the alarm goes off… I want to roll over. But I don’t (because I have an F45 class to get to), and getting the F up ultimately feels freeing! Here’s why:
1. You’re Boosting Productivity, Obviously
Starting your day with a clear set of activities jumpstarts your productivity like you would not believe. Whether it’s a workout, meditation, breakfast, or simply planning your day, “gettin’ er done” sets a positive tone and prepares you to tackle the rest of the day ahead.
2. You’re Protecting Your Peace
A morning routine that includes mindfulness practices like meditation or journaling can clear mental fog, improve focus and give you a sense of peace that you can take with you into the rest of your day. This time is FOR YOU. Protect it. Use it. You deserve it.
3. You’re Cultivating Healthy Habits
Incorporating exercise, a healthy breakfast, and hydration into your morning routine sets a healthy tone for the rest of the day. I’ve started getting up at 5am, to hit a 6am workout class, so I can come home to make a high protein breakfast, finish off my first 32oz of water, and THEN I start my day… beginning with getting cleaned up, and fully dressed, followed by journaling or meditation, and then doing a little social media recon for the day ahead (content planning/execution). These habits contribute to my overall goals, dreams, physical wellbeing, emotional wellbeing, AND provide me the energy needed to take on the rest of the day.
4. You’re Setting the Tone for the Day
A positive start can and will influence your entire day. Hitting the ground running with activities that make you feel accomplished and centered (protecting that peace!), allows you to carry that positive energy into your work life and social interactions. Why wouldn’t you want to bring personal excellence and great energy to the table?
Nighttime Routines: Ending Your Day with Peace
I’ve got a secret for you… your morning routine STARTS with your nighttime routine! Just as important as how you start your day is how you end it. Not only is it important to truly “close out” your night, it’s important to jumpstart your next morning. Nighttime routines prepare your mind and body for restful sleep and gear you up for a successful tomorrow. Let’s dive in:
1. Improves Sleep Quality
A consistent nighttime routine signals to your body that it’s time to wind down. Chilling out with activities like reading, taking a warm bath, or practicing relaxation techniques like breathwork, or stretching, can improve sleep quality, ensuring you wake up refreshed, ready to rock your morning routine.
Quality of sleep is also immensely important for your Mind, Body and Spirit! I cannot stress this enough. If you’re working out, and giving yourself the physical fitness you need and deserve… you NEED good rest so your body can repair. If you’re working on your mental health, you NEED good rest so your mind can reset. If you’re working on your spirituality, or your intuition… sis, we’ll leave dream interpretation right here, because that could be a whole other blog post!
2. Reduces Stress
Winding down with a nighttime routine before bed can help reduce the stress accumulated throughout the day. This downtime is CRUCIAL for your mental health, because it allows you to reflect, relax, and let go. I’m a big fan of reading for this!
3. Promotes Reflection and Goal Setting
A nighttime routine is also the perfect opportunity for reflection. Journaling about your day’s achievements and challenges can provide insights and help you in setting goals for the next day. It’s also a great time to practice gratitude! Write down: What went well today? This practice fosters a growth mindset, which is SO KEY to Full Circle Wellness, and personal development.
4. TWO WORDS: Self. Care.
A good nighttime routine often includes self-care activities like skincare, hygiene or light stretching. These routines are a solid reminder to prioritize your well-being, fostering a strong sense of self-worth and personal care. My nighttime routine includes taking nightly supplements (Magnesium, and some adrenal support), washing my face/skincare, brushing my teeth, setting out the next day’s outfit, reading, stretching and pillow-talk with my Boo. All of these things send me to bed feeling relaxed, and ready for a good night’s rest. It’s also worth noting that I use a weighted eye mask to bed, I spray a lavender & camomile pillow spray, and turn on BetterSleep for some ambient sounds and sleep hypnosis. It might be a little high maintenance, but I know what works for me!
At the end of the day, life is full of unexpected changes, and routines can provide a stable anchor. When you have established routines, it’s easier to adapt to changes because you have a reliable foundation to fall back on, and ground you. Whether it’s a new job, a move, or any other life transition, maintaining your routines can help you navigate these changes with a little more confidence and ease.
Routines can also be a powerful coping mechanism when shit really does hit the fan. Because they create a sense of normalcy and control (again, our brains love this!), routines can be comforting during stressful times. Regular routines reduce the mental load of decision-making, conserving your mental and emotional energy for more important tasks. This consistency helps manage anxiety and fosters resilience.
And let’s not forget… Setting and achieving goals is a PROCESS, that benefits greatly from the structure provided by routines.
Here’s how:
1. Consistency
Routines help you make consistent progress towards your goals. Routine boils down to daily habits, and daily habits, such as setting aside time to work on a project, or hitting the gym at the same time everyday, can help ensure that you’re continuously moving forward. It’s all about MAKING the time for YOU, and your goals.
2. Time Management
Effective routines optimize your time. Period. Allowing yourself to allocate time to different tasks helps you get them done efficiently. This optimization is MAJOR for balancing work, personal life, and goal-oriented activities. If you’re striving for Full Circle Wellness, routines are going to be a major tool in your health and wellness toolkit.
3. Building Momentum
When you incorporate small right actions, and goal-oriented tasks into your routine, you build momentum! And here’s the truth… motivation is bullshit, it's the momentum that you want! Momentum makes it easier to tackle larger tasks and keeps you motivated to pursue your long-term goals. Action breeds momentum, breeds motivation… not the other way around.
4. Self-Discipline
Routines foster self-discipline, and personal excellence. This boils down to a matter of showing up for yourself, keeping promises to yourself, and doing what you say you’re going to do. By sticking to a schedule, you train yourself to follow through on your commitments, which is essential for achieving any goal, personal excellence, and Full Circle Wellness.
Creating Your Ideal Routine
Now that you get it, let’s make it happen!
Designing effective morning and nighttime routines requires personalization. No two people are the same! So while that’s going to look however it looks for you, I’ve got some tips:
Start Small: Small right actions are the KEY ingredient. Begin with a few simple activities and gradually build your routine. Don’t try to start with an elaborate 20 step plan. Keep it simple until you can build onto it with things like hygiene, setting out an outfit, or prepping your lunch box.
Be Consistent: Stick to your routine even on weekends or vacations to help you maintain the habit. Do I get up at 5am on weekends? No. But I still get up early, and follow the same patterns and routines I would follow during the week. This ultimately sets an internal clock, and helps maintain my energy and focus.
Adjust as Needed: Life changes, and so should your routines. Be flexible and adjust them to fit your current circumstances. Going from “just married” to “having a baby”... your routine is gonna change! Going from day shift to night shift? Your routine is gonna change. Going from couch to 5k? Your routine is gonna change. You get it.
Prioritize Activities: Choose activities that align with your goals and well-being. Don’t get up and start running if you don’t have a goal to be a runner. Pick things that align with your values and your goals so that you’re staying authentic to yourself. But if you do have a dream of becoming a runner, get the hell up, put on your shoes, and get out there!
Daily morning and nighttime routines are more than just habits; they are essential tools for adapting to change, coping with stress, and achieving goals.
By creating and maintaining effective routines that work for you and your life, and your goals, you can enhance your productivity, improve your mental and physical health, and live a more balanced, fulfilling life. Which is what Full Circle Wellness is all about!
Embrace the power of routines and watch how they transform you. I promise.
Be well,
L
