Introduction

Have you ever felt the burning desire to transform your life and embrace a healthier lifestyle and mindset? If so, then you’ve come to the right place! Transformative change begins with setting a healthy routine that encourages a balance between your mind, body and soul. So what exactly is a healthy routine? Is it an art, a science? Well it’s kind of both. It’s about creating positive habits and nurturing growth. If you don’t know where to start, don’t worry! We’re going to break down exactly how to set a new routine and help you embrace a healthier lifestyle that’s better for your mind and body! Here’s our beginners guide to starting a routine!

Embracing Healthy Habits

Healthy habits can make you more resilient and prepared to take on any challenges

Your new routine is going to be built on the basis of embracing healthy habits. We’re not just talking about the physical aspect (i.e. eating the right diet and getting in daily exercise), but also embracing habits that will improve your mental state. It can be difficult enough as it is getting through some days, so why should you take the time for healthy habits? Seems like a mission, right? But honestly, healthy habits can make you more resilient and prepared to take on any challenges life may throw at you. Habits are the catalysts which define how we spend most of our time, so when we actively seek out healthier habits, we are already getting the ball rolling towards a better routine. 

Clearly Define Your Goals

The clearer and more defined your destination is, the easier it is for you to know where you’re going and how to get there. By creating goals that are tangible, you may find newfound motivation and direction which will encourage consistency and avoid you slipping back into old habits. When you’re setting goals, you should follow the S.M.A.R.T rules. This means your goals should be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound. If you follow this formula of goal setting you’re far more likely to achieve them because you’re not just writing a general idea down. You’re going into detail and breaking the goal down into smaller objectives. So decide what your goals are for your routine and allow them to be the cornerstone that you can begin building your routine around. 

Create Morning Rituals That Encourage Positivity

Winning your mornings is the best way to win your day. When you’re starting out your routine, you want to make sure you fill your mornings with as much joy and positivity as you can, because they will set the tone for the rest of the day. From mindfulness to positive affirmations, we’ll explore simple yet effective ways to start your day on a positive note, setting the stage for success! 

1. Start The Day With Positive Affirmations 

Positivity is a language that you can easily teach to yourself with a little bit of consistency. Repeating positive affirmations to yourself in the morning will help cultivate the mindset that’s going to propel you when you’re trying to reach your goals. Positive affirmations can be more than just words, if they’re handled right, they can begin to shape your reality and become words of truth. If relationships are an area you’d like to improve on you could say, “I attract loving, positive relationships into my life”. If you’re seeking financial success you could say, “I am a magnet for success and prosperity”. The affirmations can be simple and to the point, but they can completely transform the way you see the world! 

2. Mindful Breathing Practices 

Tap into your inner sanctuary with mindful breathing practices.

When you tap into mindful breathing practices, you are tapping into your inner sanctuary. Picture it as inhaling peace and exhaling the chaos of daily life. Breathing is all about rhythm, and when we’re mindful of our breathing it can bring us a significant amount of tranquility. Consider practicing 4-7-8 breathing, where you inhale for 4 seconds, hold your breath for 7 seconds and exhale for 8 seconds. Repeat this cycle until you feel more relaxed. Box breathing is another popular exercise where you inhale for 4 seconds, hold your breath for 4 seconds and exhale for 4 seconds. Even simply being mindful of your breathing, noting your inhales and exhales can significantly improve relaxation. With every deliberate breath, you can create a haven of serenity, which is a powerful tool to combat the hustle and bustle of the day that awaits you.

3. Incorporate Movement Into Your Mornings

One way to infuse your day with vitality is to incorporate movements into your morning routine. It can be as simple as going for a brisk walk, having a morning swim or it can be an intense workout routine. Depending on what you’re comfortable with, movement and exercise get the blood flowing and this releases feel-good hormones that can swarm your day with positive energy. When we are asleep our bodies are still, and this can result in us experiencing some degree of stiffness in the morning. This is why it’s important to get our bodies moving as early as possible and to help us get into the rhythm of the day to come! 

How To Overcome Challenges 

Even when you’ve become somewhat of an expert at embracing a healthier routine, you will still find challenges. If you can change your attitude towards challenges, you will see them not as obstacles, but rather as stepping stones on your way to the newer, better and more-improved you. Let’s take a look at some ways in which you can overcome these challenges!

1. The Power of Consistency

The heartbeat behind progress is the desire and motivation to maintain consistency. Consistently working at something and remaining committed to it-in other words, cultivating discipline-is precisely how you can turn your aspirations into achievements. Without consistency, it can be very difficult to maintain a routine. This is why getting out of bed, and doing your routine every morning, even when you don’t want to, is the right way to cement your routine into your way of life. You’ll find that by doing something every single day, each day gets easier and easier and it begins to feel like a normal part of your life that you can’t go without. 

2. Create A Support System 

There is a strength that is very visible when people come together in unity. 

We’re not alone in this world, so why should we have to deal with challenges by ourselves? There is a strength that is very visible when people come together in unity and when we’re looking for solutions to challenges, more often than not, two heads are better than one. Surround yourself with individuals who uplift, inspire, and understand your goals and aspirations. People who like challenging you and who expect you to step outside of your comfort zone are the ones who you should keep closest. Your support group can be made up of family, friends and work colleagues. Relying on other people for support should not be seen as a weakness, but instead a valuable weapon in your arsenal! 

3. The Effectiveness of Time-Management 

Time – why does it feel like we never have enough of it and that sometimes there’s just not enough hours in the day? It is the most important resource in our life and how we decide to spend our time is one of the things that we can never take back. This is why developing effective time-management skills are so crucial in life, and especially in maintaining a routine. By setting priorities, establishing routines, and mastering the art of focus, you unlock the door to productivity. Time-management is not just a tool for increasing your productivity, but it’s a way of achieving balance and harmony in all aspects of life! 

Finding Joy In The Process

In the pursuit of our goals and a more balanced life, we really need to stop and take time in the present moment to appreciate what’s around us. If you take a five-hour drive to a beautiful destination, but shut off along the entire drive and only focus on the destination, you’ve missed out on five beautiful hours of your life. Life is a road trip; we may be heading towards a destination, but we should take time to appreciate the scenery, soak up the sounds and embrace every moment of it. Too much time spent wishing on a better life is not a healthy mindset to adopt. Ideally, we should be happy with where we are and appreciate what we’ve got, while still striving to be better! 

Track Your Progress And Celebrate Your Achievements 

Self-awareness is the compass which can guide you through your days and give you the direction you need to succeed. In every single step we take, and every obstacle that we overcome, there’s a victory to be celebrated. Even if it’s a small win, it’s so important to be self-aware of your growth and to celebrate your progress. You can consider making a progress journal, where you write down your goals and track your activities so that you can monitor your progress. When we take the time to reflect on our growth, it can be immensely satisfying and help us feel more proud of ourselves. We often beat ourselves up because we’re not doing enough, but Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither will your success be! So appreciate the journey and give yourself a pat on the back from time to time!

Conclusion

So, as you reflect on your journey, remember this: you are creating a life that resonates with your deepest desires. Appreciate the beauty of the process, celebrate your victories, and revel in the knowledge that each day is a step toward the best version of yourself. Maintaining a healthy routine can help elevate your mind, body and soul, but it’s not an easy road and you will face challenges. The road may be long, but the joy is in the journey, and every stride counts toward a healthier, happier you!