Does Having A Daily Routine Improve Your Mental Health?

Life is filled with an overwhelming amount of choices and responsibilities that can lead to unnecessary stress, which can result in mental health conditions like depression and anxiety. However, a daily routine and schedule can help minimize your stress.

Why is a routine and schedule important for Your Mental Health?

Following a well-planned routine or schedule is crucial to creating a sense of purpose for each day. Also, you should understand the connection between the importance of mental health and daily routine. According to a study,conducted by NCBI have shown that daily routine can have a very positive impact on physical health. It can have far-reaching mental health benefits, including preventing substance abuse, alleviating bipolar disorder, managing other mental health issues, etc.

How does having a routine benefit your mental health?

Stress reduction is not the only benefit of having a routine and schedule. It can also pay off in other ways, including creating healthy habits and improving interpersonal relationships and mood. A routine helps you feel happier and stay healthier. You can set one or more routines and benefit in the following ways:

1. Alleviate Anxiety

You may feel anxious when you’re to do something unplanned. It’s a very unpleasant feeling or an uncomfortable sense of apprehension. However, if you have planned a schedule for yourself, you will know what needs to be done, which can help you cope with anxiety. Projecting possible predictable situations through habits enable your mind to adjust, comprehend expected scenarios, and minimize anxiety regarding unknown circumstances.

2. Combat Burnout

Gradual stress accumulation can lead to major burnout, resulting in emotional and mental exhaustion, loss of productivity at work, and poor interpersonal relationships. Over time, it can also lead to serious mental health issues and other health conditions. You can prevent and combat burnout by making certain changes in your schedule, like taking periodical breaks throughout the day or scheduling time to be alone.

3. Healthy habits

It takes about 18 to 254 days to develop a new habit. So, if you plan to stick to a new routine, this can lead to forming new healthy habits that can keep you happy and healthy in the long run. Having a schedule helps you take time for things that you enjoy. Carve out time to read books, play games, or anything else that helps you re-charge. This downtime is good for your health happiness.

Setting up a daily routine for good health may seem intimidating, but it’s critical to your mental health. Do what fits you best, so you can have a fully laid out schedule or dedicated time each day to meditate and reflect. If you are looking to address any behavioral or mental health concerns, contact our team at Pinnacle Healthcare Services in Alexandria, VA. We specialize in primary care, behavioral & mental healthcare, and addiction medicine.

Dr. Kurwa Nyigu, MD

Dr. Kurwa Nyigu is a distinguished doctor with board certification in Internal Medicine. She has a distinct interest in managing a broad range of addition-related conditions and has specific training in medication-assisted opioid treatment. She is passionate about providing a holistic approach to patient wellness, thereby creating a practice with a dual focus on primary care and behavioral health.