You already know, morning and evening routines help manage anxiety and stress by building margin in your days and minimizing the need for constant decision-making.
You probably have some already - Do they include looking at your phone?
Do you really want to read the news first thing or last thing? If the answer is yes, do it, but remember starting your day in a reactive mode, cranks your nervous system. Ending it like that messes with your sleep.
Morning and evening routines build spaciousness. They allow you to decide things before they're decided for you.
- Peace over hustle.
- Thanks over complaint.
- Hope over despair.
Just a few minutes setting your mind for the day matters a lot. It sounds simple but it works.
Here are a few ideas I give my clients. If you're scrolling before your feet hit the floor, maybe do one or all of these instead. Click on them to download.
I know the whole world talks about having a solid morning and evening routine but do they actually do it?
As Stephen Covey says, "To know and not to do, is not to know."
And if you're one of the bajillion people who have trouble falling asleep, maybe consider what you allow to fill your mind right before bed. There are many causes of sleeplessness that are outside our control. But scrolling in bed? You might as well drink espresso.
The blue light from your phone messes with your circadian rhythm and a 2am TikTok binge might signal an addiction.
Below are a few evening routine ideas that once you commit to them - like every day - work really well for slowing your system for sleepytime. I mention the Daily Examen - download a pdf here.
Finally, an app I love for keeping my doomscrolling to a minimum is Screen Zen. I set the limits on Instagram and TikTok. Screen Zen holds me to them because I'm weak.
Remember, managing anxiety in an anxious time is still an inside job. Peace is your superpower.
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