Having a daily routine is something that comes naturally to certain people. However, that is not the case for everyone. Others might struggle to develop a predictable schedule. But, it is important to maintain routine and structure in times of great stress.
The truth is that a routine can be beneficial, especially if you want to establish healthy habits. When life seems uncertain, it is vital that we add some structure to it. Plus- it will help you feel more in control.
The coronavirus pandemic has left many people across the globe in isolation. It has disrupted their daily routine. Hence, it has become difficult for many to cope with stress. It is due to this reason that you need to take care of your mental health by organizing a daily schedule.
Lack of Structure
Remote work has become the new normal, whereas, there is also the prospect of unknown periods of unemployment. Individuals that do work from home are likely to find the constant isolation to be mentally taxing.
If your day does not have a structure or routine, it will only increase your anxiety and stress levels. Thus, you will have trouble concentrating and focusing. Understanding that a lack of structure can exacerbate feelings of distress is crucial as it will encourage you to take action.
When people do not have any structure, they will spend time sitting and thinking about the most stressful scenarios. This would increase anxiety and stress. Hence, you need to put an end to this cycle.
Benefits of Having a Routine
Research shows that having a routine is important for our mental health as mentioned below.
- It helps keep you focused.
- It boosts productivity.
- It allows you to take better care of your health.
- It forms good daily habits.
- It lowers your stress levels.
When you complete necessary tasks, you will have more time to engage in healthy activities like exercising and pursuing hobbies. Here are some of the things that you should do for maintaining a routine when under stress:
Develop a Routine that is Good for Your Health
When it comes to creating a daily routine for taking care of your mental health, there are some things that you need to incorporate as mentioned below.
- Set aside time for fun activities.
- Get in touch with family members and friends.
- Prepare for challenges.
- Try to remain positive.
- Set realistic goals.
- Eat healthy meals regularly.
- Get plenty of rest.
- Stay active and get your daily exercise.
Remember, the structure is only good as long as it’s not stifling. Therefore, create a routine that gives you room to breathe.
If the routine is too controlling, it can be counterproductive.
Hence, create a strong framework, but don’t restrict yourself.
Focus on Things That You Can Control
One of the things that you should do to take care of your mental health is to focus on things that you have control over. Through the management of your behavior, you get to feel more in control. Therefore, it is a good idea to focus on things that are in your power.
A wake-up and bedtime routine along with activity and mealtimes are a great place to start. The main goal is to establish a routine that provides you with a sense of predictability and adds structure. It is obvious for your schedule to change based on the day of the week.
A basic structure involving your sleep, meals, work, and workout will reduce your stress levels significantly. When you structure your day, you get to accomplish basic tasks and have time left for completing other things. Thus, you will feel most productive and organized.
Make a List
Another thing that you can do to take care of yourself is making a list of things that need to be done during the day. It should include everything, from meal preparations to work to household tasks.
After you have considered the basic tasks that require accomplishing, you will have a general outline. Since stress is likely to make it difficult for you to concentrate, you should outline the daily activities for better focus.
Although you have to take care of the essentials, you also need to set aside time for things that you enjoy such as meeting up with a friend or watching your favorite show.
Take a look at these handy list-making apps to create personalized lists in no time.
Find What Works for You
There is no such thing as a daily schedule that fits all. This is why it is important that you find what works best for you. Whether you are running a digital marketing agency or have any other remote work, you need to try out different things to see what suits your lifestyle.
Some people prefer having a highly structured routine, whereas, others find a loose to-do list to be perfect. Therefore, it all comes down to your interests. To determine the right approach, you need to think about your motivations.
It is best that you schedule things that are of immense importance and leave out time for the rest.
Even if you are just starting out, you will need to schedule time for high-priority tasks and set time aside for other tasks that you enjoy such as watching Netflix, reading books, going bicycling, and cooking food.
As for things that you do not enjoy doing, you also need to include them into your routine so that you can get them done and reward yourself. It will ensure that you remain on track.
Practice
Everything takes time and practice. You cannot expect to create the perfect daily schedule the first time around.
Even though you know yourself, there are still many things that you are likely to forget about. This is why practice is necessary. It allows you to tweak the schedule to suit your needs.
Pay attention to how you feel and find out what time makes you the most productive. Then, you can set important tasks at that time.
Conclusion
Organizing your daily schedule will help you take care of your mental health. Only when you add some type of structure to your life will you feel in control. Otherwise, it is easy to get lost in the noise. Take advantage of our post to create the right routine.