The Power of Routine: How Consistency Can Improve Mental Health
Every day, teenagers struggle with something known as a “vacation” mindset where they fall into this sort of trap that leads them to procrastinate, have a lack of motivation, and not have any sort of consistency in what they do each day. However, this isn’t healthy and can cause various mental health problems. But how does this happen? In other words, why is it that building routines is a very smart decision to make as a person, especially during adolescence?
The Science Behind it
When you wake up, there might be something you always do. Over time, you’ve done something every day, again and again; it’s become muscle memory. In terms of neuroscience, when you make decisions consciously again and again, it literally becomes the way your brain is wired. These habits are integrated with mind circuits and as you do them repeatedly, it is reinforced. This leads to a decreased release of some of the negative chemicals in one’s mind, such as stress hormones. It can promote dopamine, the “happy” chemical, which can keep one feeling energized and positive every day.
The Benefits of Routine
Stress levels in teenagers fall. Research has proven time and time again that when one has a plan, they feel more in control of their lives. It also allows people to allocate time for them to get all the tasks they need to get done. This leaves people, especially teenagers, feeling more accomplished and productive.
Better sleep and eating schedule. When you set habits and a routine for yourself, your body will begin to get accustomed to a certain sleeping schedule, allowing you to get enough hours of sleep every night. It will also allow you to become trained to eat only certain meals which if done correctly, will be healthy. So routines will allow you to keep your physical health in good shape, which in turn will positively affect your mindset and mental health. In addition to this, routines can also help people struggling with addiction and disorders so it is an overall healthier choice.
You’ll be happier. Routines have been proven to elevate peoples’ mood and lead to an increase in Dopamine in the brain. This allows teenagers to be more happy, due to more consistency and predictability in their days.
Therefore, due to the multiple positive effects of routine, by adding a little more consistency in their lives, teenagers can battle various problems such as depression and negative mindsets. It will overall better one’s life and can help mental health significantly.
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