Certainty in Uncertainty: How to Establish a Home Routine

What is Routine?

So, what is a routine? To put it simply a routine is a course of actions or procedure that is carried out regularly. We all follow the rough routine of waking up, washing, eating, working and sleeping. However, it is the building onto this foundation where one will reap the greatest returns. Good habits form the basis of routines and it is this constant reinforcement which installs these habits then as routine in our brain.

The Importance of Routine

Routine is a quintessential aspect of human behavior. Good habit formation has shown to improve every element of an individual’s health. Throughout history humans have formulated routines in order to produce a predictability to the day. Disorder therefore is the nemesis to a healthy and productive lifestyle. There is some fascinating scientific evidence to support this and I urge you check it out some of these sources below!

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6378489/

Relevance To Now

In our current ‘stay at home’ climate this ability to create routine has been somewhat tarnished. This predictability that we strive for has been replaced with feelings of angst and uncertainty. The daily coffee breaks, time in the gym and even the normal work climate has evaporated leaving people floundering in a state of confusion. The problem arises as studies have repeatedly shown how a work and rest environment do not mix successfully. The psychological association with home as being a place of rest and relaxation has been thrown into pandemonium as we are now asked to work and study from here, keeping the same productivity levels. But I am here to fix that and hopefully display some simple remedies that will have you back into the swing of things in no time!

What is the solution?

So, what is the solution to this problem one might ask. It is simple really, a concise and direct home routine schedule. This can be as simple as writing out a list, the night before, of tasks and their durations to be completed the following day. I have found that writing things down and checking them off in a list style format to be the must time-effective and productive manner to go about your day. Here are some examples of activities to include in your home routine plan:

• Get out into Nature

Our current at-home environment sees us spending more time on screens and less time out in the real world. This is counter intuitive to our natural instinct to be out in the fresh air and sunshine for prolonged periods. For this reason getting out into nature is important for any home routine. Whether this is going for a walk or simply taking in all your local area has to offer, it is a key relaxation tool to have. Vitamin D offered by the sun is a sure way of boosting your mental well-being leaving you in productive mood.

• Home Workouts

Home workouts are a staple to any home routine. The benefits of physical activity on both mental and physical health are widely known. These can be as short as 10 minutes with no equipment needed. The endorphin release post workout is a great kickstart to any day and there is a wide variety of workouts available across the internet. Many of these workout routines are follow along and are brilliant to incorporate into your home schedule. I personally have found them to be very useful over the lockdown periods of the pandemic. Here is an example of a home workout for you to integrate immediately.

• Sleep

Sleep is an activity very often overlooked but arguably the most important in any day. It is essential to get at a minimum 6-8 hours of full sleep. Sleep offers our bodies a chance to re-set and recuperate for the next day. There are studies coming out all the time with findings on just how detrimental a lack of sleep can be. Failure to get adequate amounts will leave you feeing lethargic and run-down. This is why it is essential schedule in appropriate levels of sleep into your home routine planner daily. 'Power naps' throughout the day can also offer boosted productivity and mental focus.

• Personal Time

Taking a bit of personal time during the day is a necessary activity in any home routine. It is a chance for you to focus on your internal state away from all the externalities in your home life. Being on one’s own can gives the chance to clear your mind and improve focus and clarity of thought. Personal time can be in the form of meditating, reading or even listening to music. Any activity that enables you to clear your head without any distractions is a valuable source of personal time.

Constructing a Home Routine

The easiest way to follow through with an effective home routine, in which you will gain all the benefits, is by physically constructing one. This comes in the form of pre-planning the day ahead. Writing out in a step-by-step format what task you will carry out and at what time. It is a huge help to those who struggle with time management or find themselves endlessly scrolling through social media instead of being productive. Don’t be too harsh on yourself or try to get work done in unrealistic time frames, (don’t schedule yourself to finish that big assignment in 30 minutes!) but be realistic. Realistic routine planning is the key element to one that will be followed consistently and effectively.

The simplest way to draft your new home routine is to start in one hour blocks. List everything you will do in that one hour. For example;

8-9AM; Wake up, Brush teeth and shower, Eat breakfast, Respond to emails.

9-10AM : Home workout

This is the most stripped back and easy format for establishing a set out guide to achieving all tasks in a day. Having a time budget also helps you from straying off course and wasting it on miscellaneous things.

I urge you to try out constructing a daily home routine for even a week and just watch how your productivity and well being increases. It has certainly helped me out enormously in this stay-at-home climate we all find ourselves. But when it ends (it will end, trust me!), you will still benefit from keeping your routine planner when life goes back to 'normal'.

Watch this clip for an example of an epic home routine by actor Mark Wahlberg. I can't wait to here some of the home routines that you guys make!