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10 Benefits of Having a Routine | How it Can Transform Your Life!


In this fast-paced world we now live in, the benefits of having a routine are becoming more and more evident!

For ambitious professional women like you, having to juggle your career, personal affairs, and coping with life's challenges, incorporating a routine can help you gain control of your life, and allow you to claim back precious time for the things that matter most.

In this article, we'll explore the profound importance of having a routine and how it can transform your life, making it better organized, efficient, and more enjoyable.

Read on to find out how….

Contents

A young couple enjoying the benefits of having a routine


Understanding the Essence of Routine


Routines are a conscious way of doing things repeatedly and in a specific order. They are often made up of many habits or action steps to achieve a particular goal.

When someone mentions the word "routine", what are the first thoughts that come to mind? Dull, boring, and mundane tasks! Am I right?

Well, although it may seem that way, I can assure you that for me it has been quite the opposite. Speaking from personal experience, having routines in my personal and professional life has enabled me to achieve my goals and still have time to do the things that I love.

A routine is an extremely powerful tool, and when designed correctly, can make a huge impact on your life.


Key Benefits of Having a Routine


In the following paragraphs, we will explore some of the key benefits of having a routine and how you can make them work to achieve your goals and improve the quality of your life.


1. Routines provide structure


Having a routine is important as it provides structure and stability in our daily lives. We know what we need to do and when without having to waste valuable time thinking about it. This helps us to stay organized, gives us a sense of purpose, and makes us feel in control.

Life seems more manageable, even when things become hectic, and we feel better equipped to handle the unexpected.

The absence of routine can make us feel lost, demotivated, and unable to cope with life's challenges.


2. Routines reduce stress and overwhelm


One of the most significant benefits of having a routine is that it helps to reduce stress and anxiety.

A well-structured routine enables you to proactively manage your time, deadlines, and commitments, which gives you a greater sense of control and peace of mind.

When you have a huge workload, knowing what to expect and having a plan in place, also alleviates the feeling of being overwhelmed. Do you not agree?

Create a routine that includes time for planning and organizing your tasks ahead of time so you know exactly what you should be doing when you start your working day.

A stressed woman holding her head.


3. Routines reduce decision fatigue


Every day, we are faced with countless decisions: what to wear, what to eat, which tasks to prioritize tasks at work, etc. This constant decision-making process can lead to decision fatigue, leaving you mentally drained and less effective as the day progresses.

Having a routine provides a structured framework that automates many of these decisions, allowing you to save mental energy for more important matters.


4. Routines are the backbone of productivity!


One of the key benefits of having a routine is that it allows us to get on straight with the things we need to do without stopping to think, prepare, and plan.

When we practice the same routine every day, we become better at it, and it makes us more efficient.

Establishing a daily routine also creates a clear roadmap for your day which helps you to stay focused on your activities and on track.


5. Routines make you more likely to achieve our goals

 
Achieving a long-term goal implies regularly working on the tasks and activities associated with that particular goal. For example, if you want to get into shape, you need to eat healthy meals and do regular exercise over a prolonged period.

Going overboard with this for a week and then giving up won't work…however, making more manageable adjustments to your diet and incorporating regular exercise into your daily routine will.

Creating and sticking to a routine that aligns with the goals you wish to achieve is the key to achieving success!


6. Let's say goodbye to procrastination!


One of the main reasons why we procrastinate is because we lack the willpower and motivation to carry out a particular task.

Sound familiar?

Yes, I know exactly how you feel!

My natural tendency is to put off doing difficult or time-consuming tasks as long as possible until I can't put them off any longer. How do I address this? When I create my weekly schedule, I set aside two-hour blocks first thing in the morning (every morning) to address these tasks. This is now part of my daily routine and it doesn't feel that difficult anymore.

When we carry out tasks and activities as part of a routine, they become almost automatic and we are less likely to procrastinate on them.


7. Routines help to create healthy habits 

A woman exercising with weights.

Habits are formed by repeating the same tasks over and over again until they require little thought or effort to execute them and feel like second nature. Having an effective routine can help to build good habits that are aligned with your goals. It can also be used to eliminate bad habits, which can hold you back.

To create healthy habits, incorporate activities such as meal planning, meditation, regular exercise, and self-care into your routines.

I also recommend including organizational activities (such as creating to-do lists, planning and prioritizing your tasks, checking and updating your calendar, keeping your physical space organized, etc.) into your daily routine, to build habits that will keep you organized and boost productivity.

Over time, these habits will become ingrained, leading to a healthier, more productive, and fulfilling lifestyle.


8. Routines favor restful sleep


Sleep is essential to our mental, physical, and psychological well-being. It keeps us healthy, helps to reduce stress, increases productivity, and much more! We all know what it's like when we have a poor night's sleep, we're tired, irritable, it's difficult to concentrate, we lack energy, and generally underperform.

A routine that allows us to go to bed and wake at more or less the same time, makes it easier for us to fall asleep and improves the quality of our sleep.

Create an evening routine and bedtime habits that enable you relax and to wind down before going to bed. This is extremely beneficial, especially if you have problems sleeping.


9. Routines help you achieve a good work-life balance


Balancing a career and personal life is no easy task, having an effective routine can help bridge the gap.

Create a routine that incorporates blocks of time for work, family, and self-care to help you achieve a better work-life balance. This balance is essential for maintaining your overall well-being and avoiding burnout.

10. Routines allow you to have Me Time


The ultimate goal of establishing a routine is to create more time for YOU! When you have a well-organized day, you can set aside dedicated "me-time" slots.

This is the time you can use for self-care, practicing you favorite hobbies, or just relaxing and chilling out!

Routines give you the opportunity to rest, recharge and have the time and energy do the things that matter most!

A woman with a face mask enjoying me time.


BOTTOM LINE

In our pursuit of a more organized, productive, and balanced life, having a routine is our secret weapon!

Use this powerful tool to reduce stress, achieve your goals and reclaim your time and energy for the things that matter most!


Check out these articles for great tips to become better organized and more productive.


References


1. The Importance of Creating Habits and Routine by Katherine R. Arlinghaus, MS, RD and Craig A. Johnston, PhD

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