How to Develop a Daily Routine for Success and Happiness

Photo by Holly Mandarich on Unsplash

People thrive on routine from the moment they’re born. Children benefit from routines to feel comfort and stability, and adults are really no different. In today’s chaotic and busy world, it’s easy to fall away from daily routines, which in turn can cause stress.

Thankfully, developing a daily routine for success and happiness is easier than you might think. In fact, it can make you more productive and more fulfilled in your everyday life while reducing the risk of burnout.

If you’re already feeling overwhelmed by a busy schedule or chaotic lifestyle, starting a routine might seem easier said than done. Let’s cover a few tips you can put into practice immediately to establish a daily routine that works for you and benefits your well-being.

Set Realistic Goals Each Day

Perhaps the best way to put together a daily routine that works for you is by setting realistic, attainable goals that you can achieve each day. Goal-setting can be a motivational tool, especially when you know you can achieve the goals you’re setting. If you’ve never set goals for yourself, make sure they are SMART:

• S – Specific;
• M – Measurable;
• A – Actionable;
• R – Realistic;
• T – Time-bound;

If you can keep smart goals in mind each day, you’ll be able to prioritize the things that need to get done first and work your way down your list. By accomplishing one small task, you find the motivation to move on to the next one, until you’ve gone through your routine and it eventually becomes a habit.

How will your daily routine and your everyday goals intersect? You can cluster similar tasks, make a weekly chart, and make sure you’re writing everything down. While flexibility is important and you’ll have to perform different tasks each day, you’ll quickly start to form patterns within your routine that make it easy to get things done while achieving your daily goals.

Prioritize Self-Care

Self-care isn’t selfish or indulgent. In fact, it should be a major part of your daily routine, especially if you struggle with stress or mental health issues. There are plenty of ways to incorporate self-care activities into your day, starting with the way you sleep.

Healthy sleep hygiene is important for energy, focus, and mental health. In order to fall asleep more quickly and get the rest you need, work to establish a good nighttime routine. While everyone’s bedtime routine is different, consider things like avoiding caffeine and alcohol before bed, exercising earlier in the day, and putting together a relaxing ritual that includes reading, meditating, or light stretching.

During the day, your self-care routine can include regular exercise, eating well, journaling, and spending more time outdoors. Being out in nature is a fantastic way to boost your mental health and your mood. There are so many ways you can incorporate more outdoor time into your day, from gardening to having a picnic in the park. If you want to be active outside, you’ll experience even greater benefits. Try hiking a nature trail or going camping with friends. There are some outdoor activities you might not be able to include in your routine every day, but making time for them will make a big difference in your life.

Celebrate Small Victories

We tend to be our own worst enemies and our harshest critics. It’s easy to focus on your failures in life and let them get you down. But, when was the last time you celebrated a win? It’s easy to think that you should only celebrate major milestones in life. However, celebrating everyday victories can make you happier and more successful, overall.

There are countless ways to reward yourself for a job well done – no matter how small the task. Some of the best (and easiest) ways to celebrate include:

• Taking a day off of work;
• Treating yourself to a special day or event;
• Surprising yourself with a gift;
• Baking yourself a dessert;
• Buying something you’ve had your eye on.

Another great way to take care of yourself and make your celebration feel more important r is to get your friends involved. Jump on a Zoom call with your friends across the country, or plan a dinner with those close by.

By celebrating your small victories, you’re more likely to stay motivated to stick to a daily routine and healthy habits. It’s another form of self-care that doesn’t require a lot of time, effort, or even money. Celebrating your victories gives you something to look forward to, and that can keep you from feeling like you’re stuck in a slump in your career or personal life.

Routines are important throughout life. What you include in your daily routine might change depending on your stage of life, but even as you adjust what you do, it’s always a good idea to keep a routine in place for happiness and success. Find what works for you now and you’re more likely to stick with it – and reap the benefits.