“I CAN’T FIND MY PHONE!”
My friend didn’t answer my calls, and when she finally got back with me, she said she had left her phone on a table in a friend’s house. She mentioned that she occasionally loses her phone and it usually happens when she puts it down on a table or desk wherever she goes. That happens to many of us!
A good solution can be to always place your phone in your purse, pocket, or the same place every time you finish using it. Having a solid routine can help you keep your phone with you. Experts believe that routines can simplify our lives and make them more efficient, and even can offer us a less stressful and healthier life. Northwestern Medicine says, “People are creatures of habit, and routines offer a way to promote health and wellness through structure and organization.”
Most of us stick to some routines. We always place the cans in our pantry on a certain shelf, leave an empty lunch bag on a table near the door to remind us to take our lunch to work, or call a relative on the same day and time. Things like always eating at a fixed hour and going to bed at a regular time help us get everything done. We know “when to do it.”
During the stay-at-home pandemic time, many people got out of their typical work and home routine and put their normal life schedule on hold. As a result of not having a routine, they often suffered from:
• Stress—No routine often means having the constant worry of “when will I get it all done?” • Poor sleep—Without a daily
• Poor sleep—Without a daily routine at work and/or home, you may find yourself playing catch-up with yesterday’s to-do list. If you’re always behind on what should have been done the day before, you’re likely also staying awake worrying about what didn’t.
• Poor eating—Unhealthy diets (like eating lots of fast food) become the norm if time isn’t scheduled for grocery shopping. Quick, unhealthy substitutes become the next best food option.
• Poor physical condition— Working out usually requires some advance planning.
• Ineffective use of time—Often, no routine means you simply run out of time, leaving things undone and not making the most of your time.
Daily routines can add more time to our busy schedules because we get things done that we might not if we just assume we’ll have time to do them later. If we do keep a daily routine, we can also look at routines that are not daily but could be added to our lives. Things like a scheduled grocery store trip, exercise, or a visit to the gym would probably get done if we were to add a slot for them in our schedule.
As a result of COVID-19, many people began staying at and working from home, and their routines often fell by the wayside. Mental Health First Aid USA (May, 15, 2020) offered the following suggestions for keeping a routine so you can reap its health benefits:
1. Stick to a sleep schedule. According to the National Sleep Foundation, going to sleep at the same time every night and waking up at the same time every morning can regulate your body’s internal clock and improve your sleep quality.
2. Do daily activities at the same time every day. Taking care of daily activities, such as the dishes, helping kids with homework, or taking out the trash, at the same time every day helps you create a routine at home and helps your family and children know what’s expected of them.
3. Schedule meal and snack times. Try to eat at the same time every day. This gives you time to plan and gives your family a break to look forward to.
4. Take care of your physical health. It can be hard, but try to maintain a routine to take care of your physical health— including personal hygiene and making time every day for physical activity.
5. Be flexible. This is new for everyone. It will take trial and error to find routines that work for you and your family. Be flexible and remember that you are trying your best during a difficult time.
It seems like making a routine or schedule can be just another thing to do. It is. But the benefits can be so positive. We all know that deadlines can be stressful, but following them can be quite positive: we complete that work project, write an article, or finish cleaning out a closet. Stress can be creative and make our lives a lot better. Start or stick to your routine. It’s all in good time!
Sister Karen Zielinski is the Director of Canticle Studio. Canticle Studio is a part of the Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania, OH’s overall advancement effort and has a mission of being a creative center where artists generate works, products, and services in harmony with the mission of the Sisters St. Francis. She can be reached at kzielins@sistersosf.org or 419-824-3543.
