Mental's Holy Place Lies in Routine

Oct 22 , 2022
By Eden Sahle

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Creating schedules to do chores allows people to form a habit which reduces the unpredictable turn of events. In this anxiety-provoking experience called life, routines constantly help people cope when unforeseen circumstances unveil.

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Boredom is caused by repetitive mental fatigue resulting from losing interest in daily tasks. But, it does not mean that routines should be cut out completely. Repetition is a vital component of life. It takes persistence to do the same thing every day, a discipline that leads to results.

Routines promote wellness through structure and organisation.

A consistent routine provides children with a platform to develop life skills from parents and social engagements, apart from the psychological impact of making them feel safe and secure. Children usually excel in their academic performance and gain confidence when their daily activities are familiar and predictable.

Creating schedules to do chores allows people to form a habit which reduces the unpredictable turn of events. In this anxiety-provoking experience called life, routines constantly help people cope when unforeseen circumstances unveil.

Recently, my doctor advised me to take an extended leave, following the grieving mode I was in after losing my father 10 months ago. I suffered a lot, putting my physical and mental health at risk. I stopped all my usual activities with the hopes of getting better. But, abandoning my routines altogether had worsened my condition.

After a few weeks of forced rest, I was reluctant to follow my doctor’s recommendation and returned to my usual activities. I started getting better. Within a week of returning to my daily routines, I began to eat my meals properly and adjust to a better mindset. This experience made me realise how vital habits are.

A disrupted routine can put a person under a lot of stress and aggravate situations that affect their health and mindset. I attest to this statement from personal experience and observing others. My mentor was diagnosed with depression after he retired from his full-time job. What was meant to be his most enjoyable time after hard years of work had taken a turn for the worse. His mental health was restored after he began working with children voluntarily, giving back to the community.

Another incredible story I got to witness involves a senior binman. He became ill days after taking off from his trash collecting duty, as his children were in a position to give him better financial support. The man suffered for several months while doctors tried to identify what was wrong and make a diagnosis, finally advising him to return to his routine.

Despite facing resentment from his children, the man took the doctor’s advice and returned to collecting trash. His health started to improve as soon as he was back on duty, making a full recovery in no time.

A saying goes, “you do not know what you have until you lose it”.

Maybe, it’s about starting over and doing the things we thought were doing us harm. Or sometimes, solutions may not come in the form of exploration or changing our environment but returning to the activities we relish most. Enjoying the process and keeping up with our routines give our life meaning.

Whether the challenge in life is death, broken family relationships, or life in general, all situations are inching us towards our initial standings. Life teaches us in many ways that what we perceive as wrong in our life could be how life is designed for us. Life may take us to where we least expected to be, but living in the present and keeping up with our daily routines can offer us personal fulfilment, overall well-being and meaning to what we do.

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PUBLISHED ON Oct 22,2022 [ VOL 23 , NO 1173]

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