The Power of Routine

We don’t need a lot of science to tell us that we are creatures of habit. The majority of us get up, follow our morning routine, go to work or school at a certain time, come back home and settle into our evening rhythm day after day. Our bodies and especially our minds crave routine for sanity, strength and energy.

This is not by chance. Everywhere in nature we see rhythms: days and nights, seasons changing, moon phases, the oceans tides. The consistent ebb and flow brings stability and a sense of peace and comfort.
In our current challenging times, when the new normal has very little in common with our routines of yesterday, we feel disoriented and feelings of anxiety may be sneaking in. That is why we need strong anchors so we can face this new bumpy journey. What I mean here is that we need to implement new routines that take in account the constraints of the current situation: social distancing, quarantine, lack of food or other necessities at the store or lack of jobs. This is not an easy time, but just like John Maxwell said “it is in time of crises that we reveal ourselves”.

So let’s figure out how to do this. Set aside 10-15 mins, get a white board or a blank piece of paper and start drafting your new routine. Here are a few considerations:

1. What time do you wake up and when do you eat breakfast? What time is lunch and dinner? 
2. Are you working from home? If yes, are your kids home with you? If they are, you may want to schedule your Zoom meetings in the morning when kids are still sleeping. Figure out how you can have some uninterrupted time.
3. Do your kids have a new schedule? Do you make their schedule or do they decide how to structure their day? Is there time to play, go outside and also do some academic/ brain work? My youngest daughter came up with the pictured routine pretty much by herself with a few suggestions from me.
4. How much time do you need to dedicate to your chores, family time, exercise and self care? When it comes to cooking and other chores, can your little ones help a bit more, especially now since school is on hold?
5. How often do you need to go out for groceries and essential errands? How about checking in with your distant loved ones?

Once you figure out these questions come up with a daily routine and a weekly plan. I guarantee it will not be perfect! But that is when you try it for a few days and then adjust it. Make sure to give your kids praise for helping you with this “new normal”.
Stay healthy and safe my friends!  Much love ~ Coach Alina