WHY A ROUTINE?
Consider your beauty routine as an example – doing things in a structured way becomes so natural that you don’t even have to think about it. But you still achieve the desired results right? Routines simplify things, saves you time and helps you reach your goals. They can also help you break bad habits, build self-confidence and truly become the best version of you.
HOW TO START A ROUTINE (OR IMPROVE ONE!)
Rome wasn’t built in a day. Adapting, improving or even transforming your routine is about making small changes. Yes, it will take a little time, patience and dedication, but the results will definitely be worth it! Research shows that it takes 21 days for a new habit to become a routine. But before you start, the most important thing is to identify your end goal. Is it to lose weight, find an exercise routine, or find a way to sleep more than 5 hours? Once you’ve determined the routine you want to start, you can focus on the small changes you need to make to get there.
1. ROUTINE GOAL: BETTER DIET OR WEIGHT LOSS
Most days we manage to keep our diets in check and get all the nutrition we need. But on some days, we fall short and go for the quick-and-easy options like fast food, sweet treats and unhealthy snacks. Luckily nobody is perfect, and changing your diet for the better doesn’t need to be daunting or mean that you can never eat another hamburger. It’s all about small steps; eating more fruit and vegetables and cutting out excess sugar is a great start, as well as kicking off with a simple routine.
Editors tip: Try our ABC approach to get started – read more here!
2. ROUTINE GOAL: EXERCISE
You may have heard that you should be aiming for 20-30 minutes of exercise every day. However, for those of us who do little or no exercise, it could seem like a huge mountain to climb. But rest easy, this doesn’t mean yoga pants and hitting the gym every day. A solid exercise routine is all about starting slowly; Begin by going for a short, gentle walk and work your way up to longer, faster walks or jogging over time. Another great way to ease into it is to take the stairs in your office or apartment building instead of the elevator and gradually move towards walking 10,000 steps a day.
3. ROUTINE GOAL: SLEEP MORE, DO MORE
The same way your skin replenishes and repairs itself by night, your mind needs the night time to rest and recover. Getting a good night’s sleep is crucial to keep both your body and mind happy and balanced. Aim for a minimum of 8 hours and make an effort to avoid using electronic devices for at least 1 hour before bed to not stir up your brain. Instead, enjoy a relaxing bath or read a good book to properly unwind. Namaste!