The second “R” to help navigate us through difficult times is ROUTINES.
A routine is the usual series of things that you do at a particular time, and the practice of regularly doing those things. Routines are something that we have some control over and they help make our homes feel safer and calmer – so important during uncertain times!
Pamela Cantor, MD, states, “Our brains are prediction machines that like order and knowing what is coming next. When our environments are orderly, the brain is calmer and able to learn … A brain under stress is shut down, it can’t focus and concentrate, has little working memory, and is easily triggered by emotions…. “
“Our brains are prediction machines that like order and knowing what is coming next. When our environments are orderly, the brain is calmer and able to learn.”
Pamela Cantor, MD
She also gives four ideas to reduce stress through routines:
Build a Daily Schedule. Build a daily schedule with your family that includes regular times for lessons, reading, movement, journaling, healthy meals, and leave room for hanging out together!
Display a Chart or Calendar. Make or hang a visible chart or calendar with schedules and lists of successes to celebrate.
Set and Post Achievable Goals. For learning and wellness: for example, homework, good bedtimes, piano practice…
Plan in Activities to Look Forward To. Playing board games or cards, Twister or playing music. Zoom with a friend if you’re in quarantine, or a hike with friends. Regulated screen time would be another idea here. For adults it might look like a quick soda-run, a regularly scheduled date night with your sweetie or lunch with a friend.
I would add regular chores to this list. Having the whole family helping keep a house clean helps our order-loving brains. But it’s also team-building as everyone in the household chips in and helps out. Things are put away, easy to find, and things run more smoothly. Big stress buster there.
When everybody knows what’s coming up and what’s expected, we feel like life is under control — and we all need more of that!
Here’s a couple of freebies to help your life become more “routine”. See what I did there? ☺ Enjoy.
I had never thought about routines being self-care, but it makes so much sense!
Yeah, we’ve noticed a negative effect on everyone at our house when routines fall to the wayside. Meals late, chores not done, house cluttered … everything starts to bug us and life feels generally more stressful and yucky without us consciously thinking it. I’m surprised how much keeping up with routines makes a difference.