Setting Routines For the New Year

Are you ready to get this New Year off to the best start? Of course, you are! Starting the year with a strong start can help set the tone for the year ahead. And a tool I like to use to help get a good strong start? Routines, baby!

Having set morning routines, bedtime routines, and self-care routines is crucial for me. They help me keep on top of things, otherwise, I forget half of what I am supposed to be doing.

Establishing family routines streamlines daily activities, promoting organization and productivity while providing stability and structure to our lives.

Morning Routines to Start the Day Off Right

Setting yourself up for a great day starts first thing in the morning. Plan to make sure that you have enough time to get everything done that you need to, allowing for a smooth and stress-free start.

Prioritize tasks and establish a morning routine that aligns and aids you with your goals and well-being.

Taking control of your mornings will set the tone for the rest of the day, fostering productivity, clarity, and overall vitality. Including mindfulness, exercise, and gratitude can positively influence the rest of your day as well.

  • Wake up early– Starting early will help ensure you have all the time you need in the mornings. That peace and quiet time first thing in the morning can be exactly what you need to start the day off right.
  • Drink a glass of water before coffee– We all know that we should do this, but I know that I never do. But it can be a great way to help kickstart your body for the day. It’s also helpful to get you closer to your water goal for the day.
  • Meditation or Mindfulness– Take a few minutes to Meditate or practice mindfulness to help clear your mind and give yourself some calmness and clarity to start the day.
  • Move your body– Get your body moving early in the day and you’ll have more energy throughout the day.
  • Eat a healthy breakfast– Starting off eating well can help set the tone for the rest of your meals throughout the day. I know, I tend to make better choices throughout the day if I eat a healthier breakfast in the morning.
  • Spend time on your self-care. Take some extra time getting ready, or spend 15 minutes reading or journaling. Whatever it is that you do for you. Check out my post-Quick And Easy Self-Care Ideas for some quick and easy self-care ideas.
  • Connect with loved ones– Start your day by showing and sharing your love with those around you.

Bedtime Routines to Help Wind Down

Utilizing a regular bedtime schedule is very helpful because as you go through the motions of your routine, your body will start to recognize that it’s time to start winding down. This makes it easier to get that good rest we all want and need.

A regular bedtime routine can also offer a sense of stability and structure which leads to less stress and anxiety. Adding in things like gentle yoga, meditation, and other relaxation techniques can further enhance the calming effects of regular bedtime routines.

Keeping regular routines with your children at bedtime can lead to less struggling to wrangle them into bed at night.

  • Gentle Yoga– Engaging in gentle yoga poses before bedtime can help release tension and promote relaxation. The emphasis on controlled breathing during yoga also encourages mindfulness, contributing to a calm state of mind.
  • Meditation– Practicing meditation before bed can help you quiet your mind, slow your thoughts, and help you work through things that are on your mind.
  • Reading– Settling down, relaxing, and enjoying a book before you close your eyes for the night is a fantastic way to unwind from the day and let your body know it’s time to sleep.

Routines to keep the Family Organized

If your family has a busy schedule, with numerous activities going on, it can seem impossible to keep everything straight some days. Finding routines that work best to help your family with this can take a little time and adjustment, but it’s so worth it.

  • Review the family calendar regularly– Plan a time and frequency that works best for your family and plan to have a calendar review to make sure everyone is on the same page. This can be a daily activity if you have a lot going on in your lives, or less frequently may work better if you have a regular set schedule or not a lot going on from day to day.
  • Keep a family calendar- In my house, there are only 3 of us to keep track of so it’s not terrible. But a big helpful tip, if you decide to go this route, is to color code it. Every person gets a different color designated to them and their activities go on the calendar in that color. We prefer to use a dry-erase calendar and keep it on the fridge so it’s always visible. You could also use a digital planner that’s shared with everyone on their devices, or a regular paper calendar.
  • Have a family group chat– Take full advantage of technology to keep in touch when everyone is on the go. From group text chains, chat apps, etc, its easier than ever to stay connected.

Make Fitness a Regular Part of Your Life

Making an effort to be more physically active is something that you can do for yourself that has so many benefits. It can enhance mood and energy levels, improve overall health, and help with weight management.

  • Make it a habit-Getiing yourself started is usually the hardest part. It becomes second nature once you make the steps to include fitness in your everyday life.
  • Find something you enjoy– You are not set to any one specific type of exercise to get healthy. You can try different things until you find something that you really enjoy. If you enjoy doing it, you’re more likely to stick with it.
  • Don’t make it complicated– Don’t overthink it. You don’t need a gym membership or fancy equipment to incorporate fitness into your day. Utilizing bodyweight exercises and free outdoor cardio activity is all you really need. Go for a walk and do some push ups.
  • Include Friends and Family– Get a friend to join you at the gym or walk. You could make evening walks with your family a regular activity to help everyone stay healthy.

Meal Planning and Prep For Smoother Mealtimes

Planning meals on the fly is not a strong quality of mine. So I like to spend some time each week planning out our meals and snacks. It makes things easier during the busy week ahead.

Once the planning and shopping are done, you can try to find other ways to help make mealtimes easier, like prepping foods ahead of time or portioning out items for easy portability.

  • Prep Meals/ Items Ahead of Time– Help yourself and save some time during the week and start prepping foods and food items ahead of time. Make a large batch of rice or pasta, or cook a whole pack of chicken at the same time to save the steps later on.
  • Keep Essential Ingredients Stocked– This enhances your routines by saving time on grocery trips, ensuring the ability to cook a variety of foods, and promoting more efficient cooking time.
  • Have a Set Mealtime and Location– To ensure an easier mealtime with the family, have a set time and a specific location for meals. This allows everyone to be aware ahead of time and plan accordingly.
  • Utilize Kitchen gadgets to save time– There are a wide variety of kitchen gadgets out there that can make your time in the kitchen so much easier. My two favorites are my chopper/slicer and my Pressure Cooker/Air fryer combo.

Looking Ahead

Remember that there is no harm in changing or adjusting a routine to better fit your family’s lifestyle. Always stay flexible and adjust as needed. Routines are going to change a lot throughout the year so just make sure what you are doing is working for YOU.

Setting routines for yourself and your family is a great way to ensure that you stay organized, connected, and efficient in the new year. Happy New Year Friends!!

Head on over to Just Your Everyday Mama‘s Facebook page and share your routines that help keep your life manageable!

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One Comment

  1. Lots of great ideas of setting routines! I am a big fan of routines and feel it totally makes for a better day and week, especially with littles! So good!

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