The benefits of a flexible routine
Many people have their own little morning routines, others have their own elaborate late-night rituals, while for some, the entire day is planned down to the last detail.
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In our society, routine sometimes gets a bad rap: it's described as beige and monotonous, when in reality it has a host of benefits, including for our mental health.
Routine is also recognized as being very important for children, since a predictable environment provides them with security and a sense of confidence. For adults, it also has its share of benefits, as long as a certain flexibility is maintained in its execution.
The Benefits of Adopting a Routine
Adopting certain daily habits brings several benefits. In particular, it allows for better time management by minimizing the need to think about upcoming actions, thus allowing for time optimization and increased productivity.
Additionally, research has shown that routines have a positive impact on mental health, helping to reduce stress through the structure and predictability they provide.
This stability also contributes to improved sleep quality, regulating the body's internal clock and therefore promoting a state of relaxation.
What's more, by establishing a routine, it becomes easier to dedicate time to activities that support health and a general sense of well-being, such as exercising or preparing balanced meals, or simply taking care of yourself.
When Routine Becomes Stifling
As we've seen, adopting a routine has benefits for both our physical and mental health. However, when we're too rigid in our routine, we can end up suffering from it rather than benefiting from it.
We can feel stifled by the monotony of days that follow one another and are all the same, lose our motivation to accomplish our goals, or even experience a decline in creativity.
Following a routine that's too strict can also lead to a decrease in our tolerance for change. We then risk experiencing a lot of stress when an unforeseen event arises.
Psychological flexibility, which generally allows us to adapt well to unexpected upheavals, is thus too weak, which doesn't create the right conditions to react to the situation calmly.
It is also possible that a busy routine leaves no room in the schedule for social activities and human contact, which can then lead to a feeling of isolation that is detrimental to mental health.
The key: be flexible
When you see how beneficial adopting a routine can be, you realize it would be a shame to deprive yourself of it! So, how can you implement one without falling into rigidity?
The key is flexibility. First, you should develop your daily routine, taking care to leave yourself "space." By this, I mean that it's necessary to plan empty time slots between your daily activities, little "air pockets" that will allow you to deal with unforeseen events and time overflows.
A schedule that's set down to the last minute is more likely to go off the rails (and, in turn, cause a lot of stress) than a flexible schedule that leaves room for life's ups and downs.
To avoid becoming bored with our routine, it can also be a good idea to incorporate a little variety. For example, you could vary your routine depending on the day of the week or set aside time slots for new activities.
Also, don't forget to schedule time to treat yourself and indulge in your favorite hobbies. Having fun is essential for a healthy life balance!
A Routine That Evolves
In summary, routine, when balanced with flexibility, provides beneficial structure to our daily lives.
However, it's imperative to reevaluate it periodically, adjust it according to our changing needs, and revisit it from time to time to maintain a harmonious balance between organization and spontaneity.
My suggestion: Take a moment each new season to examine your routine and assess what could be revised to better match your current desires and state of mind.
Well, I'll leave you, it's time for my pre-bed beauty routine!