The Benefits of Getting Back into a Routine

Did you spend your summer traveling, entertaining friends and family, or trying to squeeze as much out of the longer days as possible?   

You may be ready to get back to a routine for the fall.

The word routine has a bit of a bad reputation. It can sound boring or predictable. 

But the truth is, a routine is actually good for us.

Getting into a routine can help us manage everyday stress, increase productivity, and lead to more quality sleep – which are key components for our health and wellbeing. 

A routine can help us deal with daily stress

Everyday stressors affect us regularly. Traffic, work tasks, family demands, and daily chores all can all be stressors in our daily lives. 

Having a routine that includes a set time to get up in the morning, exercise, and attend to daily tasks like walking the dog, can help us manage the unpredictable events that happen during the day. 

Being grounded in a routine gives us the emotional fortitude needed to deal with the unexpected, leading to better overall mental health.

A routine keeps us accountable and more productive

In addition to mental health benefits, a routine can help us feel more productive and accomplished.  A routine adds accountability to the parts of our days that are both task-based (household chores, projects at work, errands) and those more based in self-care (exercise, meditation, going for a walk). 

The balancing in our routine of things we need to do and things we enjoy doing, leads to feelings of accomplishment and satisfaction.  

It’s important to balance productivity with fun.

Making sure our routines includes activities that we enjoy and involve socialization, is important for both accountability and reaching our goals. 

Good sleep hygiene is key to maintaining a routine

A key factor to building and maintaining a balanced routine is quality sleep. 

The Mayo Clinic recommends that adults get at least 7-8 hours of sleep daily.  Studies have shown that insufficient sleep is linked to many chronic diseases and conditions—including type 2 diabetes, obesity, heart disease, and depression. 

A lack of sleep can also have cognitive effects.  When we are tired, concentration and memory isn’t as good and we may experience brain fog.

Going to bed and waking up at the same time each day (even on weekends) is good sleep hygiene and part of a routine.  

Maintaining a balanced daily routine and practicing good sleep hygiene work together to improve our mental and physical wellbeing.

Ready to start healthy new routine?

South Shore Health has a wide array of exercise programs to support any new wellness routine. We offer fitness classes in land, pool and virtual settings, as well as personal and small group training. 

To learn more about our Community Exercise Program offerings, call the Center for Physical Wellness at 781-624-4367 or visit our website.

Jennifer Logan is the manager of the Community Exercise Program at South Shore Health. Learn more about fitness programs at the Center for Physical Wellness.