BENEFITS OF HAVING A ROUTINE
Why should we have a routine?
Let’s face it, we all have some kind of routine, whether it’s for work, skincare, or exercise prep. It’s the actions that we regularly do that we follow, and oftentimes, the day feels incomplete without them. The most common example is drinking coffee; most people start their day with it. It feels like something is missing when we don’t drink it in the morning–– some even get cranky about it.
Those who have never lived a life of routine may find it trivial to have one, especially since it has the tendency to feel restrictive and repetitive. But having a routine is actually proven to be beneficial in health and psychological aspects.
As stated in a medically reviewed article by WebMD, researchers have found links between family routines and children’s social skills and academic success. Also, routines are valuable for families during times of crisis. If a parent is ill, for example, children with routines are better able to cope.
So why choose to have a routine when you can be spontaneous in your daily life? Here are 5 health benefits of having a routine
Lower stress levels
A routine is basically a fixed program or a sequence of actions that are regularly followed. Typically, a routine requires no thinking as your body is already used to this program. This means fewer things to worry about, like forgetting to load the washer or heat water first thing in the morning for your boiled egg breakfast.
Having a routine doesn’t lower stress levels only in a way that it helps you avoid unfinished tasks, but also saves you from the unnecessary drag of thinking about minor things and spares your mind for more demanding things waiting ahead.
Routines help you have a smoother morning, so instead of spending minutes being torn between a cup of coffee or chocolate, you can go straight to the part where you are enjoying it with a good book. Being in a good mood with little to no stress is important to starting a productive day at work!
Feel more focused
One of the main benefits of having a routine is feeling more focused. If you have a plan, you feel more in control — both in your actions and your surroundings. How does this happen?
Routine frees up cognitive resources. Daily habits and predictable tasks let your mind see them as a second nature. As a result, your body performs on autopilot, allowing you to finish tasks successfully without strain.
Moreover, because routines are practically a single line of activities, your brain is not left with confusing options that are scattered and waiting to be picked. Having a routine keeps your mind almost literally on track, keeping you focused.
Feel more productive
The sense of accomplishment that comes with completing tasks is an immensely satisfying feeling, and the only way to be productive is to be focused. When you are focused, you have pretty much got the baseline for successful completion of activities.
Imagine going to your workplace without a day plan. What happens is you’re going to pick a random task, probably without even thinking of timetables or other priorities, only to later discover that you might have just worked on the wrong thing. Just starting with this is already massively risking yourself to a day of panic and disorganization.
If you have a reliable routine to follow, you know how your day will go, and you can expect to be more productive because no time or brain energy is wasted.
Take better care of your health
People who prioritize taking care of their health are most likely to build and stick to a routine. When you have a routine, you do three things: [1] save a huge chunk of time, which allows you to finish things quickly, and have enough time for rest and leisure, [2] avoid mental stress caused by probable delays, and [3] start healthy habits, giving you opportunities to incorporate healthy activities like regular exercises and meal preps.
On the superficial side of things, routines can be seen as something that doesn’t go beyond daily activities, but they have quite an impactful role in taking care of you both physically and mentally.
Form good daily habits
Depending on your lifestyle’s demands and personality, you can create a routine that works just for you. Are you a morning person who functions best before sunrise, or do you find your energy peaks late at night? Building a routine around your natural rhythm helps you maximize your strengths.
Routines also give structure to habits you want to develop. For example, setting a fixed time for exercise makes it less likely that you’ll skip it. Scheduling reading before bed encourages consistency until it becomes second nature. These small, repetitive actions eventually stack up, shaping your lifestyle into one that supports your long-term goals.
At first glance, routines may look repetitive or even dull. But when you take a closer look, they give a sense of order that reduces stress, sharpens focus, boosts productivity, supports health, and nurtures lasting habits. Far from being a limitation, routines can be a reliable framework where spontaneity can still thrive. Look at it this way: with the basics covered, you have more freedom to be creative and flexible.
Building a routine doesn’t mean rigidly living the same day on repeat. It means intentionally setting rhythms that make life smoother, healthier, and more fulfilling. Start small, stay consistent, and soon enough, your routine will feel less like a checklist and more like a backbone to a better, balanced life!