The Benefit Of A Routine and Habit Filled Day

Why Routine and Habit

Have you noticed that it gets harder to make decisions toward the end of the day? There’s only so many decisions one can make in a day before the brain gets tired. That’s why you need to create a routine and habit filled day.

Having a routine and habit through the day will help you prioritize more efficiently. You can cut out a lot of decision-making by implementing routines and habits. The decision-making items can be saved for the important things. It also frees brain space for more creative and productive thinking. Routines and habits also simplify your life and cut out much of your daily stress.

First, let me define the words routine and habit

Routine

1. Google defines routine as, “a sequence of actions regularly followed; a fixed program.”
2. Dictionary.reference.com defines routine as, “a customary or regular course of procedure. commonplace tasks, chores, or duties as must be done regularly or at specified intervals; typical or everyday activity”

Habit

1. Google defines habit as, “a settled or regular tendency or practice.”
2. Dictionary.reference.com defines habit as, “an acquired behavior pattern regularly followed until it has become almost involuntary.”

Create A Routine

Chances are you already have a morning routine. Maybe you get up, get your coffee, read the paper or check email and fix something to eat before heading to the shower. Let me expand on that. If you create a “uniform” for yourself, you don’t even have to think about what to wear. You just grab the uniform and off you go.

Implement a routine and habit whenever possible. Meal planning helps you figure out what meals to fix and eat. A cleaning schedule makes sure you stay on track with your household chores without having to spend any valuable decision-making skills in the process. For example, I have sanitizer wipes in the bathroom. Most mornings I wipe down the sink while washing my hands. If I notice the sink or counters need something more before deep cleaning day, I use a sanitizer wipe to do a quick once over.

Wrap your day up with a bedtime routine that not only helps when you’re too tired to make smart choices, it also helps you fall asleep easier. What works for your toddler also works for you. {wink}

Make It A Habit

Start by doing a few chores that make the next morning easier. Making sure the kitchen is clean, and the kids’ school things are in order are good examples. Come up with a few calming things that help you slow down and get ready for sleep. Read a book, listen to some music or wind down with a cup of herbal tea.

For us older folks, maybe lay out medications, vitamins, and clothing the night before. I try to write down everything I want or need to do the next day, so it’s out of my head. I also feel better after washing my face, brushing my teeth, and flossing.

Sit down with a pen and piece of paper and think about what parts of your day and week you can turn into routines and habits. Write them down and create daily to-do lists until these habits are established.

Spending a little time creating routines and habits will make your day run smoother. You might just find yourself less stressed and get more done during your productive hours, and that’s a beautiful thing. It allows you to save plenty of decision making for the fun stuff like figuring out what park to go to, what family movie to watch or where to go for vacation.

Tell us what routines and habits you’ve found helpful in the comments below.

Blessings and Peace,

Susie

New York Times: Do You Suffer From Decision Fatigue?
New York Times learning Blogs: Do You Have A Hard Time Making Decisions?
HuffPost Healthy Living: James Clear,
The Science Behind Bad Decisions: Is ‘Decision Fatigue’ Causing You to Make Unhealthy Choices?

©2016 Susie Glennan