Mental health is an essential aspect of our overall wellbeing, and it plays a significant role in determining your quality of life. One of the most powerful tools you can easily access to improve your mental health is the creation of micro routines.
What Are Micro Routines?
Micro routines are small, consistent habits that you can integrate into your daily life. They can be as simple as taking a few minutes to do breathwork each morning or as complex as a daily exercise routine. The beauty of micro routines is that they are easy to implement, take very little time, and can be done consistently over time.
What’s In For You?
One of the biggest benefits of micro routines is that they provide a sense of structure and stability to your days. When you have a set of small, consistent habits that you follow each day, it creates a sense of predictability and control in your life. This can be especially beneficial for you if you struggle with workplace stress or mental health issues such as anxiety and depression.
Micro routines can also help to improve your physical health. For example, taking a few minutes to stretch in the morning can help to wake up your body and reduce stiffness or pain. A regular skincare routine can help to improve the health and appearance of your skin. Even just getting used to drink a glass of water right after waking up gives you a good start into the day.
Ready to start? Download your free self care companion
A related benefit of micro routines is that they help to improve your overall mood and sense of well-being. By taking time each day to engage in activities that you enjoy or that make you feel good, you can improve your overall mood and reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. This lowers the risk of burnout and helps you increase mental readiness.
Some examples of micro routines that can be beneficial for your mental health include:
- Meditation or breathing practice: Start your day with a 5-minute guided meditation or spend a few minutes focusing on your breath and being present in the moment
- Exercise or physical activity: Go for a morning walk or jog, do a yoga session, or hit the gym for a quick workout
- Journaling: Take a few minutes each day to record your thoughts and feelings, or set a goal for the day.
- Reading: Start your day with a chapter of your favorite book or reading an article you’ve been putting off
- Eating a healthy snack: prepare a healthy breakfast, or pack a healthy snack for work or school.
- Spending time outdoors: Take a walk around the block, sit outside and enjoy nature, or have a picnic in the park
It’s important to note that not all micro routines will work for everyone, and it’s essential to find activities that resonate with you. The key is to start small and be consistent. Choose one or two activities that you can realistically incorporate into your daily routine and stick with them. Over time, you can add more activities to your routine as you become more comfortable with the process.
How Self-Care Apps Can Support
Starting and sticking to micro routines can be challenging, especially in the beginning. However, there are tools that can make the process easier. One such tool is the use of habit trackers. Habit trackers are apps or journals that allow you to track your progress with your micro routines. They can be a helpful tool in keeping you accountable and motivated.
Another tool that can be helpful in starting and sticking to micro-routines is the Earkick self care companion. It’s an app that’s designed to help you integrate self-care and self-improvement routines into your daily life. It suggests suitable routines based on your selected goals and allows you to set customizable reminders. Earkick helps you track your progress, and provides personalized suggestions to help you improve your overall mental health one step at a time.
Ready to own your mental health journey? Download Earkick and start tracking today!
4 thoughts on “Small Habits, Big Impact: 6 Micro Routines For Mental Health”