routines

your morning matcha won’t solve problems, but it might help life feel a little more manageable when the world feels too much. below are three reasons why having a ritual or routine can positively impact our wellbeing

1. routines reduce cognitive load our brains have limited mental resources. habitual behaviours reduce the mental fatigue of decision making, freeing up cognitive resources to cope with the weight of personal and world events 

2. routines increase predictability and perceived control we are highly sensitive to uncertainty; not knowing what will happen next causes us stress. having a routine helps to create a sense of order and control, which can feel even more important when our environment feels unstable. this helps to reduce anxiety and emotional reactivity

3. routines support emotional regulation our mood is regulated by biological cycles such as our circadian rhythm (sleep/wake cycle). having daily routines have been shown to reduce depression, anxiety and overall mood instability. routines therefore help to stabilise our mood and improve emotional resilience