Improve the Way We Work and Live

How Establishing a Routine Can Create Consistency Amidst Uncertainty

Over the past seven months, remote working and schooling wreaked havoc on American households navigating the new pandemic reality. Many suddenly found themselves working remotely for the first time and feeling overwhelmed without their old in-office workday routines. At the end of the day, they didn’t feel satisfied with what they’d accomplished, regardless of running around “putting out fires” all day long. Sound familiar? You’re certainly not alone.

The good news? Rolling with the chaos isn’t your only option. Studies show that adopting healthy lifestyle routines can reduce stress and improve longevity by an average of 13 years. Even in these unusual times, you can create structure and establish habits to combat stress, work better, and give your brain a break.

2 Stress-Reducing Tips for Remote Working — or Anytime

1:  Examine your limiting beliefs.

Our thought patterns influence the way we experience the world. If your inner voice always says you’re not looking forward to the next day and you’ll be exhausted, is it any wonder you then experience exactly that? You can change this pattern by taking responsibility and ownership of shifting your mindset.

Observe your self-talk and keep it short and kind. For example, when reflecting on your day you could say, “I did a really good job,” or “I tried my best.” Leave it at that, then move on. The idea here is not to overanalyze or waste time being hard on yourself.

The pandemic reality might feel like “Groundhog’s Day” right now, but you don’t have to stay trapped in that way of thinking. You are in charge of your routine and your time management; you can choose to organize and prioritize. And you can do so with confidence, knowing that committing to your routine will decrease stress and improve creativity and productivity. It’s about making a decision and then taking just one step at a time.

2:  Create a morning routine — and start it the night before.

Use the last 20 minutes of your workday or your evening to plan out the next day. Take note of meetings, appointments and deadlines so you don’t return to your desk with any surprises. This will also save you from wasting an hour trying to figure out what you’re doing that day while your inbox dings in the background. Other steps you can take to start your morning routine the night before include:

  • Taking care of mundane tasks before you go to bed (i.e., dishes, lunch prep, laundry, charging devices, picking out workout and work clothes for the next day).
  • Eliminating clutter to start the day fresh; make sure your desk, common areas and kitchen are cleaned up to avoid overwhelm the next day.
  • Setting your intention for the next day.
  • Planning an intentional evening and bedtime to allow for 7-9 hours of sleep.
  • Using an alarm, but don’t hit snooze.
  • Keeping your phone (even if it’s your alarm) out of reach overnight. (You’ll have to get out of bed to turn it off.)
  • Waking up earlier (just five minutes at a time). This is an easy early-morning “win” you can take into the rest of your day.

Don’t beat yourself up if you fail to follow your routine. Think of your new morning routine as a skill that needs to be honed. Try again tomorrow and allow for changes and flexibility. Routine is the antidote we all need right now to beat pandemic stress and anxiety so we can live and work our best. Start small, form healthy habits, and you’ll be well on your way to a more clear and balanced day, even in uncertain times.

Thanks for your Wisdom Katy Kvalvik