Do Routines Help You or Hurt You?
October 22, 2019
You’ve probably heard the expression, “It takes all kinds.” That’s true! We’re all different, and when it comes to living a healthy lifestyle, it makes sense that we’d all have slightly different “best practices” for keeping ourselves on track.
So, of course, I have to ask: are you the type of person who benefits from routines? Or do routines tend to make you feel bored, stuck, and unmotivated to stay on task?
I thrive with routines, but it may not be what you think.
When it comes to your health, your best bet is usually to strike a balance between establishing routines and knowing when to spice things up a bit. Personally, I really benefit from creating habits and sticking to them as best I can. Whether you’re talking about eating, moving, or recharging, I’m at my best when I have time to prepare and get my head in the game.
Does that mean I never get bored with those routines? Of course not! But part of my “routine” is planning for those moments when I’m likely to start feeling restless with my patterns. ;) Having a wide variety of healthy recipes on hand, a few different exercise classes you like to circulate through, or a variety of big and small ways to recharge your batteries is a great way to make sure you keep up healthy routines without the risk of your daily life feeling monotonous. And then there are those ‘treats’ that I look forward to working in when I’m ‘bored’.
Whether you’re a big planner or more of a go-with-the-flow type of person, I challenge you to reflect this week on where the sweet spot between “routine” and “flexibility” might be for you. Knowing your own preferences, habits, and weak spots is key in establishing a healthy lifestyle that works for YOUR life!
I’d love to hear more about your feelings on routines. Do you feel like routines help or hurt? How do you strike that balance in your own life? Leave your answer in the comments, and feel free to shoot an email to dawn@dawnmcgee.guru if you have any questions! I’m always more than happy to hear from you. :)