Humans are creatures of habit. Even if they are only a small part of our day, we all have a routine we follow. Whether it is a morning routine, a skincare routine that you follow every day/night, or a workout routine that helps you stay on track, you have your own set of daily rituals.

No matter how small, these daily routines are a significant part of your lifestyle, and they can be beneficial to your overall health and wellness.

At The Pavilion Senior Living, with communities located in Tennessee and West Virginia, we see firsthand how important having a daily routine can be for our residents. This is why we are sharing the benefits of having a routine and how it can impact your wellness.

3 Simple Benefits of Routine

Reducing Stress

When you have a routine that you follow each day, it takes out some guesswork about what the day will bring. While you cannot predict how the day will play out, you know what tasks you have/want to accomplish and can map out your time accordingly.

For many individuals, especially those living with a form of dementia, stress and anxiety can be triggered by the unknown. Establishing and following a routine every day creates an extra sense of stability and familiarity.

Forming Healthier Eating Habits

Another one of the many benefits of following a routine is that you may form healthier eating habits. Unfortunately, in today’s society, we are so focused on convenience rather than proper nutrition. As a result, many of us resort to fast food or other options that lack the nutrition that we need to fuel our bodies.

Having a routine allows you to carve out designated mealtimes in your schedule. Additionally, this structure can help you preplan healthy meals and prepare them ahead of time. This way, you are getting the best of both worlds: convenience and nutrition.

We understand how nutrition and the dining experience as a whole can impact a person’s health, wellness, and recovery. We invite you to read our blog, “Nutritional Senior Dining Services Offered at The Pavilion,” to learn more about our dining experience.

Developing Better Sleeping Patterns

As we age, our bodies experience changes that affect how we sleep. For example, producing less melatonin, side effects from medications, and even becoming more sensitive to the sleeping environment are all factors that affect how long and how well we sleep.

Additionally, the inner circadian rhythm, an internal clock that tells the body when it is time to sleep and wake up, shifts forward in time. This means that older adults tend to go to sleep earlier in the evening and wake up earlier each morning.

A routine can help counteract some of these disturbances that inhibit quality sleep and reset the inner circadian rhythm. If you wake up and go to sleep at the same time each day, your body will learn when it is time to be alert and when it is time to wind down and sleep.

How to Create a Routine

Determine What Needs to Be in Your Schedule

We all have things that are important to us, so this step will look different for everyone. Reflect inwardly and decide what is important for you to do every day. It could be carving out a designated time for exercise, making sure you have socialization opportunities, or even a specific nighttime ritual that helps you relax each evening.

Write Out a Daily Schedule

Once you have determined what has to be included in your routine, write it down. Seeing and checking off items on your to-do list or schedule can help you stay on track with your day and provide a sense of accomplishment.

Stay Consistent

Consistency is key. Make mealtimes, morning, and evening routines the same time every day. By doing so, you will see the most benefits for wellness from your routine.

If you are just starting, be patient with yourself. Creating and sticking to a routine can take time. You may even need to adjust your schedule as you learn what is important to you and what is feasible for you to do each day.

The Pavilion Senior Living can help older adults create a routine that allows them to continue leading full, active lives. Our senior living communities in Tennessee and West Virginia provide compassionate, personalized care that focuses on health, wellness, and happiness. To learn more about how we can help you or someone you know, contact an expert member of our team or visit our website.