Routine can instill a sense of calm or a sense of order in disorder. This idea can even filter down to the clothes you wear. Classic examples include Steve Jobs (Apple co-founder) famous for his black turtlenecks, Barack Obama (44th President of the United States) for his tailored blue or grey suits and Mark Zuckerberg Facebook co-founder) for his T-shirts. These men adopted a signature look to simplify their lives.
In an interview with Vanity Fair, Obama shares with interviewer Michael Lewis the importance of routine in his daily life, “I don’t want to make decisions about what I’m eating or wearing. Because I have too many other decisions to make.” "He mentioned research that shows the simple act of making decisions degrades one’s ability to make further decisions.”1
If food and fashion choices inspire you and provide a creative outlet that gives you energy, don't throw them out! There are plenty of other areas in one's life that can be routinized. Instead become aware of vacillating thoughts when you are making decisions on small stuff and routinize the inconsequential ones. This will give you a break from the inner chatter.
Popular culture and routines
In North America, it is common for interviewers to ask influential people about their routines, especially on topics surrounding health and wellness. People seem intrigued to learn about what makes people they admire tick and how they manage it all.
Contemplation and relaxation
I ran through some of the rituals and routines of well-known figures including Barack Obama, Oprah Winfrey, and Arianna Huffington. The common thread was some form of contemplation or relaxation practice which took on various forms: meditation, journaling, writing, time to relax with friends and family, etc.
Benjamin Franklin (one of the United States Founding Fathers) started his day by “addressing the powerful goodness “and by asking himself what good he could do that day - and he would end his days by asking himself what good he had done.
These leaders give themselves time to connect with themselves and the people or things that they enjoy daily. I have a friend who was not an early riser - until he started devoting himself to photography. He now willingly wakes-up at 2am to capture that perfect picture! Connection can help instill a routine. Connecting with something that inspires you may be the first step to help you establish a routine.
Where to start, when previous attempts have failed?
Pick one thing that inspires you and makes you feel more alive because in the end, isn't that what life is about?
Something that activates your senses: sing, dance, play, throw hoops, make dinner, take time with friends and family.... whatever makes you pause and smile inwardly, even if only for a few minutes.
Here are some other ideas:
Journaling
Journaling has many benefits and can be used in many ways. I like it because it provides perspective when my thoughts get muddled. It’s also a nice daily ritual that allows me to check-in before the day gets a hold of me. There are many ways of journaling. To learn more, click here https://www.businessinsider.com/tim-ferriss-explains-his-journaling-habit-2015-9
Headspace meditation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iN6g2mr0p3Q
A bedtime routine
Sticking to a set bedtime is another good place to start. Stress and lack of sleep can have a profound effect on one's wellbeing. Sleep is the only time your body has to mend and repair. (If you have an iPhone you can set a bedtime alarm, - click on clock app to learn more)
What if you can't sleep?
You can build your daily routine around getting proper sleep. Healthy habits are synergistic. A friend's love of photography, not only motivated him to get out of bed earlier but also turned him onto cross-country skiing, running and cycling, and more conscious eating. It also helped him manage his time better. Connecting with something he loves opened him up to other healthy habits.
If sleep continues to be a problem or addressing sleep is too daunting an undertaking for now, A. Vogel has products that might support you. However, it's important to recognize that an inability to sleep might be your body's way of saying that it's time to take care of your overall health. The body will always start by giving subtle signs if you are not paying attention to your health. If you mask these symptoms and insist on pushing through, the symptoms along with your health will most likely worsen.
So, as an interim measure, A. Vogel's Deep Sleep and Passion Flower products may help you get back on track. A. Vogel's Deep Sleep is an herbal product (valerian and hops) which can help people fall asleep faster and find deeper, more restorative slumber. Another product, A. Vogel's Passion Flower is a tonic for the nervous system that can lend support to people struggling with anxiety and nervousness. It’s a natural sedative that can help one relax and get a good night’s sleep.
Here's to better sleep and creating routines that inspire you!
References
https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2012/10/michael-lewis-profile-barack-obama
