A simple daily routine can be life-changing!
A simple daily routine is a set of simple activities that are repeated every day.
It can be as simple as brushing your teeth and taking a shower, or it can be more complex, like following a strict work schedule. A daily routine can help to structure your day and make it more efficient. For example, if you always brush your teeth after breakfast, you won’t have to waste time and energy thinking about when to do it.
I want to make it clear that not everybody thrives on strict routines. But a simple daily routine has a lot of space for flexibility and is very powerful if you use it correctly.
What are the benefits of having a simple daily routine?
A daily routine can seem like it constricts your life rather than freeing it up. But having a healthy and simple daily routine is one of the best ways to stay productive and feel in control of your life. It can also literally change your life!
When you have a set daily routine, you’re more likely to get things done and less likely to waste time. That’s because you’re not trying to figure out what you should do next, you already know what comes next in your day. This frees up your brain to focus on the task at hand, making you more productive. And when you’re more productive, you have more time for the things you enjoy outside of work.
Additionally, a daily routine can help reduce stress because it provides a sense of structure and predictability in your life. When everything feels chaotic, a daily routine can help you feel more grounded and in control.
So if you’re looking to boost your productivity and improve your quality of life, creating a healthy and simple daily routine is a great place to start.
How to stick to your routine?
The key to sticking to your routine is to make it as easy as possible for yourself. If you’re trying to establish a new routine, start small and gradually add more activities to your day. And if you’re struggling to stick to your current routine, see if there are any ways you can simplify it or make it more enjoyable. For example, if you hate going to the gym but you do want to exercise, try working out at home or going for a walk outside.
It’s also important to be realistic about what you can accomplish in a day. If your routine is too ambitious, you’re likely to get overwhelmed and give up. So start with a few key activities that you really want to focus on, and then add more later as you get more comfortable with the new routine.
Moreover, try to be flexible and go with the flow on days when things don’t go as planned. If you miss a workout or can’t make it to the grocery store, don’t beat yourself up. Just try to do better tomorrow.
And finally, remember that it takes time to form new habits. So be patient and keep at it, even if you have a few setbacks along the way.
How to create a simple daily routine that works for you?
The best way to create a healthy and simple daily routine is to start by brainstorming a list of activities that you want to do every day. This can include things like exercise, eating healthy meals, spending time with family and friends, reading, writing, or meditating (more on that below).
Once you have a list of activities, try to order them in a way that makes sense for your day. For example, you may want to start your day with a cup of coffee and some quiet time to yourself, followed by breakfast and getting ready for the day. Then you could head to work, and after work, you may want to go for a run or to the gym.
Again, try to be realistic about what you can accomplish in a day. And don’t forget to leave some time for relaxation and fun! A simple daily routine should make your life easier, not harder.
If you’re struggling to come up with a routine, you can find some examples below.
Related: 65 Simple Living Tips
21 powerful simple daily routines
Life can be hectic and chaotic, but a simple daily routine can help you feel more grounded.
Here are some examples of healthy and simple daily routines that can work for you:
- Start your day with some quiet time to yourself. Even if for only a few minutes. This is a great way to center yourself and start the day on a positive note. Having time for yourself in the morning can also help you avoid feeling rushed and stressed later in the day. Also, it makes you feel in control of your life and your day.
- Set intention for the day. Each day, wake up and set an intention. Some examples are: I will be productive today, I will be kind to others, I will take care of my health, etc. By setting an intention, you will be more mindful of your actions and how they align with your goal. (Learn How to Set Powerful Daily Intentions).
- Don’t skip breakfast. Skipping breakfast can make you feel tired and sluggish later in the day. It can also lead to overeating later on. So even if you’re not a morning person, try to eat at least some kind of breakfast.
- Meditate. Creating a habit of meditating can help you focus and concentrate better during the day. It will also improve your sleep quality at night. You don’t need to meditate for hours. Even a few minutes of mindfulness can make a difference. Meditation is also a great way to make you aware of your thoughts, feelings, and surroundings.
- Practice gratitude each day. We often forget to be grateful for what we have. A great way to become more mindful of the good things in your life is to practice gratitude. Simply think of three things that you’re grateful for each day. This can be anything from your partner to your pet, or something as small as a sunny day.
- Journal. A journal is a great way to track your thoughts, feelings, and progress. It can also be used as a tool to vent your frustrations. Writing in a journal can help you make sense of your thoughts and feelings.
- spouse during dinner time, and talk with your kids about their day. This will help you feel connected to the people you love and care about. We are social creatures and we need human interaction to feel good.
- Read. Reading is a great way to learn new things, escape reality, and relax. Make sure to schedule some time each day to read. This can be for leisure or for work. Either way, you will reap the benefits of reading (Having books as a minimalist).
- Always have a bottle of water with you. Staying hydrated is important for your health. It will not only keep you hydrated but also will prevent binge eating since sometimes we think we’re hungry when we’re actually just thirsty.
- Disconnect from social media for 1 hour every day. Social media can be a huge time waster. If you find yourself spending too much time on social media, make a commitment to disconnect from it for one hour each day. This will help you focus on more important things and avoid getting sucked into the social media black hole.
- Eat fresh fruits. Instead of reaching for that chocolate, eat a fruit. A tip for you is to always keep fruits on the table and sweets somewhere hidden. This way you’ll be more likely to eat fruit when you see it.
- Move your body. A short stretching or a long hardcore workout, anything that moves your body is good. I am sure you have heard “exercise is good” a million times but it’s because it’s true. It makes you happier, healthier, and more energetic.
- Go outside. Spend some time in nature. Breathe in the fresh air and feel the sun on your skin. This will help you clear your mind and feel more connected to the world around you. Do not get into the trap of being glued to your phone or computer all day.
- Get social. Reserve some time each day to ask your mom how is she, fully commit your attention to your spouse during dinner time, and talk with your kids about their day. This will help you feel connected to the people you love and care about. We are social creatures and we need human interaction to feel good.
- Do something creative. Use your imagination and let your creative juices flow. Draw, paint, write or bake. It doesn’t matter what you do as long as you’re being creative. By doing so, you will express yourself and get to know yourself better.
- Do a negative visualization practice. Negative visualization is a mental technique where you visualize the worst-case scenario. This might sound counterproductive, but it’s actually a very effective way to appreciate what you have. Just as a stupid example: if you don’t like your job, visualize yourself getting fired. What would you do? How would you support yourself? This exercise will help you put things into perspective and realize that you have a lot to be grateful for. Doing this every day will help you appreciate your life more.
- Take small breaks during work. If you have a desk job or something that requires a lot of concentration, it’s important to take small breaks throughout the day. Get up and walk around for a few minutes every couple of hours or so. The movement will do you good.
- Make time for cooking. A home-cooked meal is so much healthier and cheaper than a takeaway. If you care about your health, make time for cooking. This doesn’t mean that you have to cook elaborate meals. Even simple meals are better than no meal at all. For example, you can make some whole grain pasta with veggies. It is such a satisfying and filling meal.
- Plan the next day. Before going to bed, take a few minutes to plan for the next day. This can include doing laundry, cleaning the fridge, making pizza for dinner, or a million other things. Planning ahead will help you feel more prepared and organized for the next day.
- Tidy up before bedtime. A clean house creates a sense of order and calm. So, take a few minutes each night to tidy up your living space. This will help you relax and feel more comfortable at home. It could also help you sleep better. Also, you won’t get overwhelmed with cleaning because you will already be in the habit of doing it every day.
- Take time to relax in the evening. Make sure to schedule some time each day to relax and do something that you enjoy. For example, you could take a bath, read your favorite book, or listen to calming music. This will help you wind down and avoid feeling stressed.
- Go to bed at the same hour every night. This will help you establish a sleep routine. The sleep routine is important because it helps your body know when it’s time to wind down and go to bed. Preferably you shouldn’t go to bed past 10 pm, but of course, listen to your body and lifestyle.
Customize the routine according to your preferences
You don’t need to incorporate all of these daily routines into your day. These are just some examples to get you started.
Start with a couple of them that resonate with you and that you think you can stick to. As you get used to them, you can add more. The most important thing is to find a routine that works for you and that you can stick to.
And don’t forget, a routine is supposed to make your life easier, not harder. So if you find that a certain routine is too much for you or that it’s stressing you out, ditch it and try something else.
I follow some of these routines myself. I do eat breakfast every morning and I always find time for myself in the morning as well. Also, I love drinking a cup of tea or coffee and just being with myself, even if only for a short time.
Also, I make sure to take small breaks throughout the day. I take a break after every hour or so. During my break, I stretch a little bit, drink some water, or get a snack (usually fruit, but sometimes chocolate).
Every evening, I try to cook a meal. I feel like my stomach is really happy about it. And the next day for lunch I usually have leftovers from last evening. Leftovers are such a blessing!
I enjoy having a conversation with my husband every evening during dinner time. This is our time to connect with each other and catch up on our day.
Before bedtime, I try to remind myself about the things that I am grateful for in this life. For example, I am so grateful that my son is healthy! A few months ago I was so worried that he might have a serious health problem, but it turned out that he is all good. And yes, I am so, so grateful for that.
Besides that, I always have a glass or bottle of water nearby to stay hydrated. I tidy up before bedtime every evening. And I go outside for walks, or just to breathe some fresh air on the balcony every day.
Right now, I am trying to incorporate meditation into my daily routine. I do it almost every day. But my goal is to do it every day. It really makes me feel better overall and to feel more present.
Final thoughts
There are countless ways to structure your day and find what works best for you.
Hopefully, the tips and examples we’ve shared in this article will give you a good starting point as you begin creating your own healthy simple daily routine.
Remember to be patient, take things one step at a time, and don’t be afraid to experiment until you find what works best for you.
As mentioned before, creating a healthy simple daily routine can be a great way to improve your overall well-being, so it’s definitely worth the effort!
And finally, don’t forget to create some fun daily routines, such as watching your favorite show, taking a relaxing bath, or eating popcorn at 7 pm every day. These activities will help balance out the more challenging aspects of your routine and make it more sustainable in the long term.