How To Get Back Into Your Routine
It is hard, especially for people with chronic pain, to always stay motivated and in a good routine. Personally, even though I have learned the techniques that help manage pain, I still get overwhelmed and some days do not have the energy to stick to my routine.
It is important to know that not all days are going to be perfect. There will be some days when your pain takes control of you, but you just need to step back and completely reset. I have strayed away from my “normal routine” for a period of time and am trying to get back on track. I want to share 5 ways I am trying to get back on track and new things I am implementing to help manage my pain while accomplishing my goals.
1. Reflect on why your past lifestyle and routine did not last and make changes to your current lifestyle/routine
Most of the time, our past routines did not work because they were not sustainable. Maybe you had too much on your plate or were not enjoying your routine. Before you create a new routine, it is important to identify what was wrong with your past lifestyle and make changes so the same mistake does not happen again. For me, I had too much on my plate and would not schedule enough breaks in my routine. I could not pace myself and this led me to crash in the middle of the week. Therefore, in my new routine I make sure to take lots of breaks and do different activities that help my overall mental and physical health.
2. Write down your morning and night routine
An important habit I learned is to write down my morning and night routine so I can stick to a schedule. This creates a routine during the day and makes sure that I do not go off my track. Eventually, this becomes a habit and I look forward to my routine.
Some ideas to incorporate into your morning routine: drinking water, meditation, journaling, reading, exercising.
Some ideas to incorporate into your night routine: Reading, meditation, exercise, watching tv, or anything that allows you to relax and wind down!
3. Plan one thing out for the day or take one picture of something that made you happy
I like to get some movement into my day, walk with a friend, make one of my favorite meals, or watch a show on Netflix. Even if you have a stressful day or have a lot on your plate, it is important to have some time for yourself to relax.
4. Set 10 minutes in the morning or evening to reflect by writing in a journal or meditating
I used to not be a big fan of journaling and meditation, but it has significantly helped me. At the beginning, it was a challenge to focus and get into the routine, but meditation and journaling helped me relax and get all my thoughts down. Meditation has taught me pain management and relaxation techniques while journaling ensures I do not bottle up all my feelings. If you are feeling overwhelmed or frustrated, write down your feelings, try to find the root cause of your emotions, and write down things you can change to feel better!
5. Schedule breaks during the day
I always make sure to take breaks every 1-2 hours so I am not burnt out by the end of the day. It is important to incorporate this when getting back into your routine!
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