Healthy habits aren't something you're born with, but rather something you can work on. Join us in realizing that even daily routines can be loved and should have a place in your self-care.
Rituals, habits, routines... Do you get chills at the thought of eternally repetitive activities? Perhaps you've just imagined boring tasks that were required of you at school or work, but you didn't see the point in them, or they remind you of failed New Year's resolutions. And maybe you feel that routine activities must be performed by inertia and that you'll lose your spontaneity, freedom, and creativity. Yet, it works the exact opposite way, and it's precisely daily routines that can help you properly kickstart your brain and contribute to better physical and mental health.
It seems that more and more people are realizing this lately, as the term routine is increasingly finding its way into our vocabulary and lives with a positive connotation. Under the hashtags #skincareroutine, #selfcareroutine, and #morningroutine, you'll find millions of posts on social media that show how pleasant, calming, and enriching it is to dedicate time to cultivating positive habits. If you're not doing it yet, we have some tips on how to get started.
Control over your own time and life
The average adult needs to make 33,000 to 35,000 decisions every day. Every single day. Some we make unconsciously or subconsciously, while others require us to engage in focused thinking. Whether it's what we wear in the morning, how much water we drink during the day, what we say to the boss at a work meeting, or which route we choose for an evening walk, our brain constantly evaluates which option is best for us. However, every decision-making process brings a greater or lesser amount of stress into our lives.
In today's fast-paced world, we cannot, of course, avoid it. However, regularly repeated activities can reduce the number of decisions we have to make every day. If we perform a certain activity regularly, the brain will know exactly what to expect, and thus will not have to exert itself and unnecessarily reconsider – saving energy for activities that truly require more engagement.
It's not just a nice idea: routine activities can demonstrably induce feelings of calm, mental, and physical relaxation. They give us a sense of control over our own time. According to many studies, repetitive activities can help the body calm down, achieve better sleep, and reduce anxiety levels.
The reduction in stress and anxiety levels is taken care of by endorphins, which our body releases when we do something that makes us feel good. And here we come to how to build a routine that will be pleasant, healthy, and beneficial for you.
Gradually and wisely
You may have heard that to form a habit, you need to repeat a specific activity for 21 consecutive days. Well, it won't be that simple (and maybe it will be even simpler for you?).
As is often the case, this number was taken out of context from a motivational book in the 1960s and became widely popular over the years. In 2009, experts decided to verify it with research, the results of which showed a completely different time frame. Building a healthy habit took research participants between 18 and 254 days. This range varied depending on the person's willpower, the type of activity they wanted to regularly incorporate into their life, and how the habit-forming process worked.
The fundamental way to increase the likelihood of success is to focus on activities that you enjoy, find meaningful, and can integrate into your life. Just like with New Year's resolutions, the rule is not to rush into it and try to incorporate several at once. You can add them gradually – and if they complement each other, the chances of naturally incorporating them into your life increase. And most importantly, don't give up on them if you happen to "fall out of rhythm" for a while.
Is one of your goals a healthier lifestyle and diet adjustment? If so, read the interview with nutritionist Judita Tkáčová:
Habits you'll appreciate and love
Although we've just hinted that you need to build your own routines, we're also including a few tips for positive habits that your body and mind will thank you for.
Morning routine
Plan your days so that you wake up at the same time every morning (try to avoid hitting snooze) and have enough time for everything you need to do in the morning – skin care routine, preparing breakfast, vitamins to start the day. Avoid unnecessary stress that would only escalate during the day. The feeling that you managed your morning without rushing and catching a bus will give you a sense of control over your day.
Find (time for) a hobby
When was the last time you found enough time for things you enjoy? Whether it's horseback riding, knitting, reading, or an hour of yoga, incorporate them firmly into your regular schedule and not just for when you have time for them. You'll see that the endorphins that your favorite activities can bring you are no myth.
Preparation of fruits, vegetables, and water
Healthy eating is a broad concept, but try to incorporate enough vitamins into your day. For example, by preparing fruit for a snack and salad for lunch or an afternoon snack for the next day every evening. You'll see that over time it will become a matter of course for you. Don't forget to stay hydrated. If you pack a bottle of Care Water in your handbag every day, in addition to enough water, you'll replenish your body with substances that will boost your energy, support your digestion, and concentration.
Daily walks
Try to dedicate enough time to walking every day. This can be more difficult with a sedentary job, but a daily walk can be an even more pleasant routine. If you set aside at least half an hour every evening for a walk around the neighborhood, your health, fitness, and improved mood will thank you. Romantic sunsets will just be a pleasant bonus!
Regular writing
Perhaps you've heard of the morning pages method, where before the day begins, you write out everything on your mind on three pages, thus setting aside anything unnecessary that would burden you throughout your day. (You can find more about this method in the book The Artist's Way.) Others prefer an evening gratitude journal where they reflect on their day. You can also find time to write in a diary at any time during the day. In any case, writing will help you organize your thoughts.
Evening routine
Don't underestimate sleep! A balanced sleep regimen is very important, so plan your days to get at least 8 hours of sleep. Treat yourself to a bath, moisturize your skin, or replenish essential vitamins with Care Water BALANCE, which is ideal for relaxation after a demanding day. Avoid using your mobile phone for at least an hour before bedtime and replace it with a book – for example, Why We Sleep.
