How to create a routine to support your mental health and why it is important

 

 

The alarm goes off, its Monday morning. The idea of getting out of bad sounds like a horrible idea. Your body is dragging, and you can't seem to get your eyes to stay open. The amount of exhaustion that has come over you is unbearable. Do ya'll know that feeling? It means it's time to create a good mental health routine like yesterday.

 

Routines are so important to one's mental health. Creating good habits to incorporate into your life is helpful too. Routines help you to create stability for yourself, it helps to increase your energy, productivity and positivity.  

 

So if we are looking at creating a routine, what should be the components? What are the important things that you must do throughout the day? Wake up time, bedtime, breakfast, lunch, dinner, relaxing time, medication management, exercise, and work. Other things to add in are things you find pleasure in, relationships, and to do list. We want to create a routine that provides you a daily schedule that incorporates self-care, mental health wellness, daily chores, and work schedule.

 

For starting a routine let's start simple by putting in a few components into our routine first and then slowly find more ways to personalize your mental health routine.

 

Meditation

Add in a 10 min mediation practice to your routine to promote relaxation and calm. Meditation can help to clear your mind and provide balance.

 

Journaling

Providing yourself some time throughout the day to journal can definitely help your mental health. Being able to vent about your day or journal your thoughts or even practice gratitude and allow yourself time to go over the positive things that have gone right.

 

Exercise

I know exercise, ugh, but it can definitely be helpful. If you already exercise on a regular basis, maybe try to incorporate yoga. If you don’t exercise on a regular basis, I recommended starting with light exercise like 15-30 min exercises.

 

Nourishing Breakfast

Breakfast is something that nowadays people skip. Eating breakfast is helpful because it jumpstarts your system. It is helpful for many health reasons as well as mental health. You can do something as simple as a bowl of cereal or something a little more time consuming like homemade smoothies or an egg white omelet.

 

Medication or Supplements/Vitamins

If you have been prescribed medication, it would be helpful to pick up a pill box and remember to fill it on a weekly basis and take your medication on a daily basis. Supplements and vitamins can be added to those medications to help your mental health and body. Some people prefer not to take medication and just take supplements and vitamins which can also be helpful and give you the support you need to balance your mental health.

 

Relaxing time

Naps are life! We all know we miss preschool/kindergarten nap times. Allow yourself the same luxury again! Take a 30 min nap daily if you feel you need it. If aren't into napping then you can also just allow for some lounge time either reading a book, watching your favorite movie or tv series, or being outside in nature.

 

Positive Affirmations

Affirmations help rewire your subconscious mind, empowering you to overcome challenges and embrace a positive mindset. I always recommend that clients buy themselves a pack of sticky notes and write down a positive affirmation and stick it to a place in their home or room that they will see regularly like a bathroom mirror or refrigerator. This way throughout the day you can see the positive thoughts about yourself, and it will empower you to be your best self. 

 

I hope one of these positive mental health activities can make it into your routine! I hope this helps you to provide yourself a little structure and consistency.