A Simple Daily Routine That You Will Actually Love

 

A simple daily routine can structure our day and help us achieve more. While not everyone is a big fan of routines, I believe that anyone can benefit from having a general idea of what their day will be like. 

 

Some people say routines are boring and take excitement away from life. I am all in for doing things spontaneously as they come but also believe that a routine can help you stay on top of important things. 

 

Before we break down a simple daily routine, let’s understand what a routine is and why you should have a routine in the first place.  

 

What is a Routine?

 

A routine is a set of activities. It mostly consists of habits and deliberate actions that you do to achieve an outcome, often in the long run.

 

You can do routines in the morning, afternoon, and evening. Or a routine can be more specific such as an exercise routine or a skin-care routine. 

Why you should have a Routine

 

Routines act as a roadmap for our day-to-day lives. By having a routine, you can save up your limited energy otherwise spent on thinking about what to do next. 

 

Having a routine with some flexibility allows you to get straight into the important work while still having open slots to do things that pop up spontaneously and when there is a change of plans.

 

That is why it is so important to have a simple daily routine that is not too packed but still covers the important things and has plenty of breaks and free time.

 

This post will cover a simple morning, work, and evening routine that you can use to create a simple daily routine that works for you. 

 

Morning Routine

 

1. Wake up early

 

Becoming an early riser is one of the best habits you can start. The hours of early morning are said to be the best time for productivity and focus. 

 

By going to bed early and waking up well rested, you are already ahead of the majority of people giving you plenty of time to do things slowly but well. 

 

2. Drink a glass of water

 

As soon as you wake up, drink a tall glass of water and hydrate your body. Especially if you sleep in an air-conditioned room, the body can be quite dehydrated by the time you wake up. 

 

3. Brush

 

Next is to brush and wash your face to freshen up and begin your morning routine.  

4. Move your body

 

Energize your body by doing some form of movement. Some people prefer to go for a walk or run while others prefer to do yoga or a full workout in the gym. 

 

It’s really up to you. You could also be creative and do different exercises on different days. 

 

5. Shower and skin care

 

After exercising, it’s time to take a cold shower. It’s a great way to wake up your body and relax your muscles after a workout. 

 

Cold showers are also linked to many health benefits. 

 

6. Meditate

 

After your shower, it’s time to focus on your mental and emotional well-being. A short 10-20 minute meditation is a great way to begin your day with clarity, focus, and calmness. 

 

Below are some great posts on meditation we have covered on the blog before if you’d like to learn more. 

 

• How to make meditation a habit
• What is Mindfulness Meditation?
• A Beginner’s Guide to Zazen Meditation

 

7. Read

 

Once you’re done with your meditation, brew yourself a cup of tea or coffee and spend the next 20-30 minutes reading.

 

You can read a book of your choice, an article, or simply catch up on world news whichever you feel like on any given day. 

8. Breakfast

 

Make yourself a healthy breakfast and ensure you’re starting your day with the right nutrition and fuel in your system.

 

Work Routine

 

1. Do the most important, and difficult tasks

 

Once you’re ready for work, it’s time to strategically tackle your work day. By keeping it simple yet smart, you can get the most out of the hours you spend at work. 

 

Always remember, in the morning when you’re fresh and well rested, your mind will be at its peak. Spend this time to tackle the most important and difficult tasks. 

 

2. Attend to emails and calls

 

Once you have your most important tasks out of the way, it’s time to reply to your emails and calls. You can also set two time blocks per day for emails and calls.

 

The important thing is not to make the mistake of jumping on emails in the middle of important tasks and losing your focus. 

 

3. Meetings or less productive tasks

 

While some meetings are important, most of them aren’t. In my personal experience, most meetings I attend are unnecessary and can be done over a call or email. 

 

So it would be smart of you to schedule them for the afternoon when you’re done with the important stuff. 

 

4. Plan for the next day

 

Every day, before heading home make a plan for your next day. Decide what are the important tasks for tomorrow and what can be done after that.

 

That way, you’re ready to tackle the actual work as soon as you start your workday. 

 

Evening Routine

 

1. Light exercise

 

Once you’re back from work, especially if you’re an office worker it’s a great idea to do some light exercise to counter all the sitting.

 

Some light yoga or stretching can be a great way to give your body the exercise it needs. 

 

2. Shower

 

Follow that with a nice warm shower or bath to prepare your body for winding down and the rest of your evening routine. 

 

You can add some bath salts to your bath for added relaxation and comfort. 

 

3. Early dinner

 

Make it a habit to eat dinner at least 3 hours before bedtime to give yourself enough time for digestion. 

 

Experts say there are health benefits of having an early dinner such as better digestive health, improved energy levels, and blood sugar control. 

 

4. Brew some tea

 

After dinner, brew yourself a nice cup of chamomile or valerian root tea that has been linked to inducing sleep. 

5. Brush and skin care

 

Brushing and skincare should be an important part of your evening routine to ensure good oral and skin health. It will also make you feel good and ready for bed. 

 

6. Read, Journal, or Meditate

 

Doing some reading, journaling or a short meditation for sleep is a great way to incorporate mindfulness into your evening routine. 

 

7. Lights out

 

Try to go to bed latest by 10 pm. This ensures you get enough sleep if you’re targeting to be up by 6 am. You cannot compromise on sleep if you want to have a productive day without feeling burned out and tired. 

 

A simple daily routine will look a little different for every person. But the above gives you a general example of how a simple day should be structured.