The Importance of Routines

Routines define who we are. That’s a big statement, but it’s true. The actions we take each day add up over time. In my daily work with students of all ages, we often work towards their personal goals, be it academic achievement, better organizational skills, or learning more about themselves and satisfying curiosity. Routines inevitably become part of the equation in helping them to find success. I will use three examples to illustrate the importance of having strong routines. Please note that these reflections are meant to help anyone of whatever age in many contexts, but can be applied well in an educational setting.

Example 1: Morning Classroom Routine

Many students enjoy going to school because of the structure and predictability that comes with it. A strong morning classroom routine that has clear expectations that are repeated from the beginning of the year allows students to feel secure and ready to learn. The best evidence for this is the counter example of a class with a poor routine, in which students may be anxious, talking out of turn, and improperly prepared to learn.

Example 2: Bedtime Routine

Bedtime routines are important for everyone, regardless of age. A good, relaxing bedtime routine with limited screen time and low stimulation can make for a restful night’s sleep. For the purposes of today’s discussion, let’s take the example of a high school student who is gaining more autonomy, but struggling to figure out the proper bedtime routine. In a panic to get homework done, Janet, a grade 11 student, is often up late. Being an adolescent, Janet is also connecting with friends virtually while getting her assignments done and taking breaks to watch YouTube. The end result is an erratic sleep routine that is preceded by much anxiety and stimulation. When she tries to go to sleep, it takes her longer than she hopes, and overall, averages between 5 and 6 hours a night. The routine starts to affect other aspects of her life. Eventually, Janet learns how to better balance her responsibilities and social life and adheres to a healthier sleep routine over time. Over time, she learns to get to bed at roughly the same hour each night and wake up at the same time and to ease herself into her nighttime routine, which reduces her anxiety and has benefits on her school performance and other aspects of her life.

Example 3: Exercise Routine

For this third example, I will provide a personal anecdote. As was the case for many, COVID-19 completely disrupted my exercise routine. Hockey seasons have been postponed or cancelled and the gym has been closed for months. To compensate, I tried some home workouts and I was patient with myself. Some days I did exercises that I felt were easier and some days I pushed myself, but I managed to get six 30-minute workouts in per week. Ending the work day and concentrating on the workout regardless of how tired I was became easier because it quickly became part of my routine. Now, if gyms and rinks opened tomorrow, my routine would get disrupted again, but I think that I would carry this lesson forward of using shorter, but more consistent and intense workouts, to continue improving my physical and mental health.

Take-Home

With COVID-19 disrupting everyone’s lives, our routines are likely to have been disrupted as well. However, new routines can also be what anchors us. To wrap up, here are a few take-aways:

1. A little bit of consistent progress can help you to stay motivated.
2. Your routines can shape you in both the short and long term – getting a workout in can make you feel good in the moment, but many small workouts can make you feel better later.
3. We can anchor ourselves and those around us to healthy routines; when the motivation isn’t there, the routine can compensate.
4. Small changes can lend to big results – think of the benefits of an extra 30 minutes sleep each night, an extra 5 minutes of cardio each workout, or an extra 10 minutes of reading or studying each day.

Take a moment and reflect on your routines, whether it be at home, school, play, or work, and think about one way to make them work better for you.

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