The importance of daily routines in managing stress and anxiety during periods of uncertainty

When life becomes stressful, or feelings of anxiety and uncertainty increase, it may be difficult to maintain normal daily habits. During such periods, adhering to a regular schedule may seem secondary to the problems on your mind, but it may actually be one of the things that helps you deal with them better. Maintaining a daily routine gives the day a degree of organization and stability, and enhances the feeling of control at times when many aspects of life seem out of control, according to the “Very Well Mind” website.

Following a daily routine may be useful at various times, especially if you are seeking to establish healthy habits. However, the importance of this routine becomes greater when you feel uncertain about certain aspects of your life. In times of high stress, maintaining a daily routine can help you feel more organized and in control.

What is the relationship between lack of routine and psychological stress?

Let's say you've lost your job and face the possibility of entering an indefinite period of unemployment, or perhaps you've taken time off work to deal with personal issues, such as caring for a sick family member or taking care of your mental health.

In such circumstances, you may quickly discover that constant isolation and the absence of a regular schedule can be psychologically exhausting.

The lack of structure and routine may exacerbate feelings of distress and may cause you to focus more on the source of your problems and the circumstances that are causing you stress.

“If people don't have a daily structure and spend their free time unfocused, they are likely to find themselves thinking about the stressful situation more, which can lead to more stress and anxiety,” says Dr. Rachel Goldman, a professor of clinical psychology at New York University School of Medicine.

Hence, one way to break this vicious cycle is to maintain a specific daily routine, even in periods when life seems unstable or difficult to predict.

What are the benefits of routine?

Research has consistently shown that routine has an important role in mental health, helping people manage stress and anxiety better. For example, studies have found that maintaining a daily routine can help protect our mental health from the negative effects of stress.

Following a regular daily routine can help you:

- Control stress levels.

- Forming good daily habits.

- Take better care of your health.

- Feeling more productive.

- Feeling more focused.

The benefits of routine are not limited to organizing time and daily tasks, as completing necessary tasks gives you more time to practice healthy behaviors, such as exercising, and also provides you more time to enjoy activities and hobbies that give you pleasure.

The importance of focusing on what you can control

Managing your personal behaviors can help you feel more in control of a situation, even when there are other aspects of your life that you can't control. For this reason, Goldman advises focusing on things that are within your ability to control.

The secret lies in establishing a daily routine that gives your day a degree of organization and arrangement. Of course, your daily schedule may change slightly depending on the day of the week, but sticking to a basic schedule that includes specific times for waking up, eating, working, doing activities, and sleeping can help you feel more comfortable and organize your day better.

Organizing your day also ensures that you complete basic and necessary tasks, which gives you enough time to plan other things that you want to accomplish or need.

Over time, basic tasks turn into habits, no longer requiring a great deal of thought or effort to accomplish. This in turn allows you to devote your time, effort, and energy to other things you love to do, instead of depleting these mental resources in constantly thinking about basic daily tasks.