Consistency is key.

Establishing a consistent routine in your everyday life is one of the most important factors to a happy and successful life. 

With the new school year starting, curating a routine around your daily schedule can be very beneficial. Falling out of a routine can be physically and mentally draining. There are a variety of things you can add to your daily routine and ways you can stay on course. 

During the summer, school routines tend to fade and many get off track of their circadian rhythm. While many use it as their time to rest and relax from the stress of the school year, establishing a new routine can be the best thing you can do to have a great summer. Starting a new routine can be tough at first but it will show benefits later in life when it is needed. “I just now got to the point where I’m staying consistent with my routine and I can already tell the difference in how I feel,” senior Ethan Haddaway said.

The earlier you are able to establish a proper routine, the better off you will be when it comes to the beginning of the school year. Starting your days off with positive actions and habits is the best way to put yourself on the right track for great days. “Waking up early to lift and get a good breakfast is probably my ideal morning routine,” senior Logan Leake said. 

Going continuously without an established routine can be something extremely detrimental for one’s overall health. Not knowing what comes in the near future causes stress and anxiety levels, causing worse sleep and eating habits. According to Northwestern Medicine, “often, no routine means you simply run out of time, leaving things undone and not making the most of your time.” While falling out of routine may cause minor inconveniences in the short term, it can build up and get worse over time. 

There are many precautionary measures that can be taken to slowly adjust your body into a strong routine. The most important step begins at the beginning of the day. Waking up an extra 15 minutes earlier can change the whole course of your day. Getting a fulfilling breakfast with a little caffeine can fuel your body with what it needs to take on the day. Adding cardio, yoga or weight training is also an effective way to wake your mind and body up for the remainder of the day. 

Along with the morning routine, time-planned meals are a good way to keep your body trained and on track to have a healthy diet. This can keep your mind fueled to stay awake and can help your communicative skills at its best throughout the day. 

As a whole, establishing a strong routine can be a life-changing choice to make in the long run. It can teach you discipline, self-respect and time management that will be essential later in life. Managing your life in a more time efficient way can be the best way to turn your life around.