We’ve all experienced so much upheaval in our daily lives and changes to our norms and routines this past year. The disruptions caused by COVID-19 have dramatically altered our lives, which makes it much harder to cope with the stress and anxiety that many are feeling.

With many people now working from home, suffering redundancy or worried about their long-term employment, the feelings of isolation and lack of normal schedule have taken a toll mentally.

By making and sticking to a daily routine, you can help to keep your mind occupied, feel more in control and reduce stress levels. Introducing a daily structure into your life can help both your mental and physical health.

Here are some of our tips that you can make part of your daily routine to stay healthy:

Stick to a sleep schedule - going to sleep at the same time every night and waking up at the same time every morning can help regulate your body’s internal clock and help improve sleep quality.

Maintain a morning routine - mornings can be difficult for some people, and getting yourself motivated for the day can be more difficult when working from home. By sticking to a good morning routine it can set you up for the rest of your day. Getting up with your alarm, having a shower, getting dressed, making the bed, having breakfast or coffee each morning is a great way to start your day and will help set you up for a successful day.

Make a list and set goals - try writing a list before you go to bed each night, even if there are only a few items on it, such as work tasks, meal preparation and household tasks. Do each one in order, if you can, and tick them off, so you can see and chart your achievements and stay on track. A top tip if you are struggling to start a list is to add all the daily tasks you already do and tick those off such as make a coffee, shower, make breakfast, call a friend.

Stay active - make exercise a part of your daily routine by going for a brisk walk around the block, a jog or by doing some yoga. Exercise will help you to increase your overall energy levels, help your mood and help you to stay focused throughout the day.

Set aside time for activities you enjoy - with all the changes to how we socialise, it’s important to find ways in which you can unwind and relax. Make time in your routine for doing activities you enjoy: read a book; call a friend; listen to a podcast; spend time on a hobby that you enjoy.

Whatever your 2021 resolutions are, remember to be kind of yourself, try to keep to a routine as best as possible, look after yourself and have faith that the coming year will be better for us all.

From everyone at Rightdose, we wish you a very happy new year.