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How to Use Routine to Positively Affect Your Mental Health
If you’ve read my previous work you can probably tell that I focus heavily on mental health. It’s something that is super important to me. In the many years I’ve actively worked on bettering my mental health I have found that routine is my best friend. So, here’s a little insight on what has worked for me, and maybe it can work for you too!
The Science
I’m a lover of peer-reviewed studies so here’s some scientific insight on how routine can positively impact your mental health.
One study, done with a focus on the Covid-19 Pandemic, discussed how regularizing your routine can buffer the negative impacts of stressful events. It divided routines into types: primary and secondary. Primary routines are behaviors that maintain livelihood and biological functions (eating and sleeping, for example). Secondary routines are unique to you! They reflect personal preferences and motivations. These include exercise, leisure activities, and anything that has to do with work.
When something (such as the Covid-19 Pandemic) disrupts primary or secondary routines, it can cause stress. This study suggests replacing old routines with new ones to lesson stress factors.
If removing routine can add stress into your life, can adding routine lessen your stress…
