Supporting Your Mental Health Through a Daily Routine

Skin breakouts can be stressful for many of us. It not only affects our physical appearance but can take a toll on our confidence.

Acne, blemishes, and other skin imperfections can be particularly challenging to deal with on a daily basis, as they are often visible to others and can sometimes feel like a constant reminder of our insecurities.

Understanding the emotional impact of skin breakouts is crucial for developing effective coping strategies. Finding a daily routine can help achieve this.

It’s well-known that a lack of routine can heighten feelings of distress. When you move from one task to the next without a schedule, you give yourself plenty of time to dwell on your feelings and fixate on your mental health. Cognitive function decreases and your mood drops, making it more likely you’ll develop depression, anxiety, and bipolar.

Fortunately, though, you can flip this on its head. By creating (and sticking to!) a routine, you give your mind order and encourage feelings of happiness and pride, reducing the impact of negative thoughts.

If you’re struggling with your mental health, give your mind a fighting chance with these tips to create a joy-inducing routine.

Consider Adding Therapy to Your Routine

We encourage anyone who struggles with mental health problems to seek the advice of a professional. Adding scheduled sessions with a therapist at a treatment centre into your routine can be very helpful.

This can help you to stay organised and to remain in a positive mindset, and is also a smart idea if you suffer from chronic low moods. Not only will regular sessions add another pattern to your routine, but you’ll be actively working to improve your mental health and learn many more tactics to feel better every day.

There’s absolutely no issue in reaching out for help. If you’re struggling, talk to someone - and then reward yourself for your accomplishment!

Look at What You Can Control

Not everything in your day is going to stick to a strict schedule - and, more importantly, it doesn’t have to. Life is unpredictable and striving to control everything in your day is going to leave you more stressed than when you started. Instead, focus on the parts of your life that can be set to a routine.

For example, if you head to work at 8.30 am every morning, Monday to Friday, have a shower every day at 7.30. If you’re self-employed, set a time that you start working rather than opening your laptop whenever you feel like it, and create a morning routine to prepare you for the day. That could be as simple as washing your face, getting dressed, and making a cup of coffee, but as long as you do it every day it’ll help create order in your mind.

Write a list of everything you do in your day that’s in your control. Then, begin to slot these events into a schedule that you’ll be able to stick to.

The Importance of Patterns

A routine for mental health has to be timed. It’s not enough that you do the same tasks daily or weekly; they have to follow a schedule that your brain adjusts to. A timed routine provides structure, giving you a reason to move from one activity to the next without procrastinating, and reducing the chaos in which mental illness thrives.

Following your schedule is going to leave you feeling accomplished and energised, too. Simply taking a shower in the morning or making yourself a healthy breakfast can be a game-changer in terms of your mindset. You’re being active and productive, which will set the mood for the rest of your day.

Create a Routine That Prioritises Health

A vital part of a routine that’s geared towards improving mental health is prioritising fitness and tasks that put your health first.

Look at what’s scientifically known to help your mental health. Getting outside amongst nature, for example, has been proven to boost your mood and reduce feelings of anxiety, and adding a 30-minute walk to your routine could do wonders for your happiness.

Other factors to consider when creating your routine that will aid mental health include:

• Daily exercise
• Preparing healthy meals
• Reducing your time sitting down
• Drinking water regularly

Don’t Forget a Sleep Schedule

Sleep is such a vital part of mental health. Bear in mind that an active daily routine can help you sleep better, so adding a lunchtime cycle or evening jog into your schedule could make all the difference when you get your forty winks.

You can also get better sleep with a schedule. Consistently going to bed at the same time every night and waking up to the same alarm in the morning maintains your circadian rhythm, improving the quality of your sleep. When you sleep better, you feel better.

Make Time For Self-Care

Many people add self-care routines to their morning or evening routines. In reality, though, it’s likely to be a constant part of your daily schedule.

Self-care is all about doing things that are good for your body and mind - so creating a routine is, in itself, a form of self-care! Other common activities may include a Friday night soak in the bath, journaling your thoughts every morning, and meditation, as well as a fitness routine.

To kick-start your self-care routine, take a peek at our range of Alkaline Skincare and treat your skin to nature-based nourishment.

Practice Makes Perfect

Adjusting to a schedule takes time, so be kind to yourself. Nobody gets everything right on the first try - or even the first 50! - so if you slip up, try not to punish yourself. Instead, take a deep breath, give yourself a pat on the back for everything you have done, and set your sights on meeting your goals tomorrow.

Final Words

Though a daily routine isn’t the be-all and end-all of mental health, any professional will tell you that it can help. So, it’s time to get out your notebook and start organising your life! Trust us, your brain will thank you for it.