Starting a new routine is not just for kids entering the school year. We work on our routines at every time of year. This is a great time of the year though, with a lot of momentum of change, to take advantage and create a new routine to reclaim your health, your Vitality and have an amazing year! Here are seven habits to a routine that creates health and Vitality:
1. Be Organized
The easiest way to fall into chaos is by not knowing what you are doing. That is usually when we start making some bad choices in our confusion. Making a plan for what you’re going to do and when you’re going to do it will make sure you’re always ahead of the curve – literally. It doesn’t have to be written in stone and so rigid that you can’t live but know your priorities and what you need to accomplish.
2. Get Quality Sleep
A healthy and productive day begins after a good night’s sleep. Deep sleep is when the brain cleans house to start fresh the next day. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends preschoolers receive 10-13 hours of sleep each night (including naps), grade schoolers 9-12 hours, and teenagers 8-10 hours of sleep. Adults need to sleep 7-8 hrs. If you or your child doesn’t get enough sleep, they’ll have a hard time concentrating and engaging at school/work the next day. Make and stick to a bedtime along with a bedtime routine that ensures all will be well rested come morning.
3. Practice Mindfulness
Mindfulness is a practice that focuses on being aware of our surroundings, thoughts, and feelings in a nonjudgmental way. In this way we can pay attention to what we eat and how it makes us feel. Or pay attention to how we speak to ourselves and others. Pay attention to if your current routine leaves you feeling exhausted or exhilarated? Mindfulness is a way to intentionally engage in life to have the outcome we want.
4. Be Proactive
This is about taking responsibility for our life. Proactive people recognize that they are “response-able.” They recognize that they hold power over circumstances, conditions, and their own behavioral conditioning. Every successful endeavor has a leader that takes action in both good times and in bad. Let’s recognize our own power and choose to act in life, rather than just wait for what comes along.
5. Make time for rest and fun activities
All work and no play makes Johnny a dull boy. This is a phrase I grew up with. All successful routines have a sense of balance to them. A routine that has some time to rest and time for fun has the best chance of becoming a long-term routine. This is about creating a balanced lifestyle that allows you to enjoy both business and pleasure.
6. Use the power of repetition
There is nothing like repetition to get good at something. To master something, you’ll have to experiment and repeat, just as the Wright Brothers did, time and again, before getting that first flight. And remember that there has to be a bit of a “stretch” to improve each time—even if simply doing it today is the stretch you make. If something is important to you, make a commitment to repeatedly spend time on it—every day, every
7. Make regular visits to your favorite holistic health care professional
A balanced and well-functioning body and mind will improve your physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. Some self-care is good for everyone and as you feel better you will more easily create your power routine and stick to it.
We love to care for our clients and help them become the best versions of themselves. We feel honored to be a part of the transformations we see in many who benefit from regular care. So many of the habits can be found reinforced in each other and that is part of the secret to success. Tell us in the comments how you are doing.