The importance of routines

• Routines at home can provide stability during times of change, helping you feel safe and secure
• Including time for fun or downtime with your friends and family can strengthen your relationships
• Regular bedtimes can help set your body clock
• Having specific tasks to complete such as walking the dog, making your bed or doing the dishes can bring structure to your day
• Routines can develop life skills and encourage healthy time management.

Let your friends and family know your plans so they are aware of your intentions and can support you where possible. From time to time, you may find yourself slipping out of your new schedule, but if you persevere, it will get easier.

A new routine

Here are some tips about how to start planning a new routine:

• Set a daily schedule with the same wake-up times and bedtimes for each week day
• Factor in time off—knowing there’s a reward for all that hard work is a great motivator
• Make it visual—draw up a chart or keep a day planner and keep it somewhere that you will see it every day
• Include any deadlines for assignments or projects your calendar or planner so you can see what is coming up
• The only way to make a routine stick is to keep doing it. Don’t worry if you don’t have it completely sorted immediately, it will take time.

Get the right mix

Aim for at least one activity each day from all of these three categories:

Self-care activities

Everyone’s daily routines look different, but there are a few things you can put on your list to look after your own physical and mental health. These could be:

• Showering, getting dressed, meals, getting fresh air, getting active, talking to someone about how we’re feeling, practicing mindfulness.

Productive activities

These are the things we are expected to do or that give us a sense of achievement. These could be:

• School or college work, doing dishes, clearing out your wardrobe, learning a new skill. If you study or work from home at all, it is still important to still take time off away from the desk.

Leisure activities

These are the fun, relaxing, enjoyable things we do. These could be:

• Reading, watching your favourite show, catching up with friends via phone or video chat, listening to music, playing Xbox, drawing.