Tips for Setting and Keeping a Healthy Schedule
By Genevieve Cunningham
Even though we don't enjoy it, we all have to keep a schedule. We have a time when we must arrive at work. We have meetings and appointments to keep. We'd rather sleep as long as we want and do whatever we want, but for most people, that's just not practical. Luckily, setting and keeping a schedule isn't all bad. In fact, it can be really good for us -- if only we can learn how to make it happen consistently. If you have a little trouble making, sticking to, and enjoying a healthy schedule, take a look at these tips that can help you out.
Start With Your Sleep
Sleep is always one of the first aspects of your schedule to get messed up. And unfortunately, it's also one of the most detrimental to your health. When you don't get enough sleep, you're more likely to feel fatigued and rundown, and you're also more likely to suffer major disease such as diabetes and heart problems. To set a sleeping schedule, set both a bedtime and a waking time. Do whatever it takes to keep these times intact -- even if you have to nix TV, technology, or other habits from your nights. As your sleep schedule gets better, everything else in your schedule is more likely to follow suit.
Create Routines
It's a little easier to get things done if your habits are all put together in familiar routines. Before bed, create a routine that includes winding down, taking care of hygiene, and getting ready for the next day. Routines help you get things done and also create a sense of calm. Create routines around bedtime, the morning, workouts, and after work. The more routines you create, the more habits you'll accomplish, and the easier it will be to stay on schedule.
Don't Forget Downtime
In your quest to create a good schedule that promotes health, don't forget to schedule in some downtime. Downtime might include reading a book, lying outside in the sun, taking a day off, or some combination of all of these. You may feel like downtime is a waste of time, but it's actually a very important part of your health and wellness. Make time and space for yourself, and you absolutely won't regret your long-term choice.
It can be hard to set and stick to a schedule. We like to feel free. We like to do whatever we want whenever we want. But a schedule is better for our physical and mental health. Use these tips to help set a healthy schedule in your life, and watch your wellness and overall quality of life improve as a result.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Johns Creek, Ga.