Make Fitness Part of Your Everyday Routine!
What Are Routines?
Routines are an essential part of life. They help us stay organized and productive and can also provide structure and stability in our lives. Routines are especially important for establishing and maintaining healthy habits, such as regular physical activity, eating healthy, getting adequate rest, and managing stress. Overall, living with routines can lead to improved physical, mental and emotional health.
Why Have Routines?
It comes down to the idea that having routines throughout the day is important for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Why you may ask? Well, routines provide structure and consistency, which can help with reducing stress and anxiety. Plus, they help us stay focused and on task by managing our time more efficiently by giving us a plan for when to do certain activities and chores. Having a regular routine or even multiple daily routines gives us a sense of purpose and control over our lives, which can be beneficial for mental health. In other words, there is less wondering and by removing constant decision-making pressures it helps alleviate some stress and the risk of forgetting.
The idea is to use routines to take action today that will benefit ourselves the next day. It’s all about setting ourselves up for success!
Do Routines Affect Our Sleep?
Creating a routine is also important for developing healthy sleep habits. Having a regular sleep schedule can help us get the rest we need, which is essential for good physical and mental health. Having a set sleep routine can promote better rest for everyone.
Not getting enough quality sleep can lead to an increased risk of developing chronic diseases, as well as a weakened immune system and disruptions in cognitive and emotional functioning. Creating a consistent sleep routine can help us fall asleep faster, stay asleep longer, and wake up feeling more refreshed and energized. This can be achieved by going to bed at the same time each night, avoiding caffeine and other stimulants in the late afternoon and evening, and limiting the use of electronic devices in the bedroom. Additionally, making sure our sleeping environment is comfortable and free of distractions can help create the best conditions for a restful night’s sleep.
The benefits of getting enough quality sleep are numerous. When we sleep well, we wake up feeling more alert and ready to tackle the day. Regular, quality sleep helps reduce stress and boosts our mood. It can also improve our memory and cognitive functioning, as well as help our body repair itself and stay healthy. Ultimately, having a consistent sleep routine helps promote better rest and improved physical and mental health. Hence, we should strive for better quality sleep, as the benefits are numerous and can help you lead a healthier and happier life.
Commitment
Establishing routines for ourselves can be beneficial in a number of ways; for one, they can help us stay committed to our goals, as routines can help us form healthy habits that are easier to stick to than one-off activities.
Regular physical activity can reduce the risk of many health conditions, including heart disease, stroke, and some types of cancer. Establishing a routine can help us stay motivated to exercise more regularly, thus helping us maintain a healthy weight, reduce stress, and improve our overall wellbeing.
Routines can also help us stay motivated to achieve our other goals, such as eating healthy, getting enough sleep, and managing our time wisely. Having a set routine can make it easier to stick to healthy habits, and it can help us better manage our time so that we have enough time to do the things we want and need to do. Did you know it’s now possible to download the Barre Fit Warrior app on Android and iOS devices? Seeing the app on your phone can serve as a reminder to book those fitness classes and try a class. New clients only have to pay $5! That’s healthy made accessible and fun for all.
Reduce Stress
When we think of routines our mind can fixate on structure and consistency and yes in part routines serve to establish a sense of normalcy. However, there can also be flexibility in routines. Allowing for this flexibility can help to reduce stress and burnout, as it provides a sense of freedom and creativity. This can be achieved in various ways, such as by allowing for breaks throughout the day, adding in an activity that is enjoyable or rewarding, or allowing for occasional spontaneity.
If a person has a routine that includes an hour of studying every day, they could allow themselves to take a break in the middle of the hour to do something enjoyable or rewarding. This will help to break up the monotony of the routine and provide a sense of accomplishment.
Additionally, allowing for occasional spontaneity can provide a sense of adventure and excitement. For instance, if a person usually follows a strict routine for their morning, they could choose to do something different one day and go for a spontaneous walk or explore a new place. This can be a great way to break up the routine and create a sense of freedom.
Let’s Make It Our Own!
Routines can also help to establish healthy habits, stay organized, and stay connected with other people. Here is an example of a routine for an overall healthy lifestyle:
- Start the day with an energizing exercise routine: Start the day with an energizing routine such as yoga, Pilates, Barre Fitness or a light jog. This will help to wake up the body and get the blood flowing.
- Break the day up with a leisurely walk: Take a 15-20 minute walk during lunch or in the afternoon. This gives time to get away from work, kids or other responsibilities to get some fresh air and re-set.
- Finish the day with a strength training session: After dinner, spend 15-20 minutes doing an at home strength training session. This can include body weight exercises such as push-ups, squats, and lunges. If you want some guidance, checkout the Barre Fit Warriors schedule for livestream classes in the evening or turn to the On Demand Library for lots of options! Did you know the On Demand library allows you to create your own workout by mix’n matching shorter segments together.
- Make it a family affair: Get the whole family involved with preparing healthy meals and workouts. This can help to keep everyone motivated and on track and when you’re doing online workouts it’s easy to get everyone involved and set the example for kids.
- Take breaks: Don’t forget to take breaks throughout the day. This will help to keep you from feeling overwhelmed and will give you time to rest and recharge.
By following these tips and making them your own, you can easily build an exercise routine that will help you to stay fit and healthy while juggling kids, work, and daily tasks.
Lastly, Set Yourself Up For Success
Doing what needs to be done today is an important step in ensuring that your days are productive, and your future is successful. It can be hard to think about the future when there is so much work that needs to be done in the present but taking a few moments to focus on what needs to be done now can help set you up for a successful tomorrow.
Start your day by making a list of the tasks that need to be completed. Prioritize each item and then break it down into smaller, more manageable tasks. This will help you focus on completing what needs to be done today and not get overwhelmed by the amount of work.
Don’t forget to actually be realistic about what you can accomplish in a day—don’t set yourself up for failure. Take breaks and reward yourself for completing tasks. This will help with motivation and staying focused on the tasks at hand.
Finally, take time to reflect on each day. This will help with being aware of what was accomplished and identify any areas that need improvement.
Doing what needs to be done today doesn’t have to be a daunting task. By taking the time to plan and break down tasks, we can all ensure that we are setting ourselves up for success tomorrow.
You got this Warriors!
Commitment is the number 1 thing that I have to work on to improve my fitness goals this year. Great article.
I really like the way you recommend to break up the day with fitness as I spend a lot of time in the kitchen or working on the computer. Yoga in the morning an afternoon walk and evening strength training is doable. Thanks!
Great post! I found it very interesting and insightful. You’re absolutely right that making fitness a part of our everyday routine doesn’t have to be daunting. Planning and breaking down tasks can make a huge difference in achieving our fitness goals. Thanks for sharing!
I love how you broke up splitting workouts throughout the day, I think that’s a great way to integrate exercise into your day. And yes quality sleep is so, so important. I really value it. Thanks for sharing!
Sleep! That needs to be my priority. Never really thought about it being so affected by routine.
I’m ready to get back into a good routine! One more month and my baby will be born and I’ll be back at it!
Congratulations! Super exciting. You should come try out a Barre Fitness Class with me. It’s a great way for new moms to get back in shape. You can even do the class with your baby from the comfort of your home. I have a few clients who do the workouts with their babies.
This is a great article! I really appreciated the reminder to be realistic in setting your expectations. I have a tendency to over-extend myself, so that reminder really resonated with me.
Absolutely Anita. We all do at one time or another. Remember setting realistic goals helps create positive results. Love to see you class.
Ok I’m convinced I need to start a new routine! Fitness easily falls through the cracks with work, chores, cooking and other obligations. When I was younger I did have a routine even if it was just pilates on Tuesday and meeting a friend at the gym on Thursday afternoons and it did keep me in shape and help lower stress. While I don’t have that kind of time anymore I’m going to try and implement your advice to at least get a little bit of a routine going and prioritize myself.
Hi Sienna, I’m happy to hear that. If you are ever interested, I’m an online fitness coach. My clients take classes from home. You can check out the Barre Fit Warriors site for details or message me.
i workout 6 days a week
Jimmy that’s awesome.
I definitely need to develop routines as I fell behind with that. I can’t keep consistency. This is a great reminder.
We all fall behind sometimes. It’s okay, just keep trying. You got this!
Routines totally rock…and I love how you built in the movement!! Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts and inspirations 😉
So glad you enjoyed the blog. Routines do Rock!
Such important information here! People NEED to get up and move! I know when I started work out everyday, I became a whole new person! Thank you for sharing😊
Gabby it really does change so much. I’m so glad you found your groove.
consistency has been one of my work out goals this year and i believe making it part of my every day routine is helping me to stay consistent
Hi Tianna,
That’s wonderful. You got this.
Great post! Commitment is a big one for sure. I am trying to workout around 3-4 times a week but want to get some type of movement in daily. Slowly but surely getting there 🙂
Hi Deanna,
Glad you like the post.
One step at a time. You are already doing great. 3-4 times per week is excellent. Keep it up.
I really needed to read this! I tend to prioritize my kids’ routines over my own. I love the idea of adding a workout routine into my day. Thanks for the great tips!
Having a routine definitely makes it easier to achieve your fitness goals. I always find structure is a great way to stay consistent. Thanks for sharing!
I am glad you bringing awareness to the importance of fitness!!! Amazing read!
Yes! Yes!
I’ve only recently started back into exercise and making a conscious effort to add it into my daily life! What I also find helpful is having friends to do stuff with (walk, classes) – that just keeps me committed!
That’s great! Absolutely, a friend can be a way to stay accountable. Keep it up.
This is so valuable and such a good reminder! I have found myself owned my to do list too many times. I so needed to read this. Thank you!
Love this post, thanks for sharing! Lots of great information
Glad you enjoyed it.
I find that if I can fit it in within my breaks, I can do it. It’s tough when you’ve got a full schedule and work from home, but it is possible to get some exercise in. Thanks for sharing this.
Of course life does get in the way sometimes. Try scheduling the time out for yourself just like you do for work meetings. That will help create a healthy habit of carving out the time for you.
Nice article without being pushy!
Glad you enjoyed it. My aim is only to guide, never to push. 😉
I like how you have this broken up during the day! Would you say that this is something that you feel you need to do every day or would you take some days off?
Hi Hannah, that’s going to depend on what you are doing. For example if walking is your thing then absolutely everyday works. If it’s exercise classes your body does need recuperation time. Everyone is different so my suggestion would be to start slow and see how it goes. You will find what works for you and your body.
Great advice. I always feel like I need to do it all at once. I’m going to try breaking it up like you suggest.
I can see such a huge difference in my stress level when I’m consistently exercising vs. when I’m not. These are such helpful tips, thanks for sharing!