How To Create The Routine That’s Best For You

Hi there and welcome back!

Hopefully you now know when you’re at your most energetic, and when it’s time to slow down. If you’re a lark, you’ll want to start the day full on—perhaps an early morning dog walk followed by a hearty breakfast; then tackling your biggest challenges straight away. If on the other hand you’re an owl, you’ll want to start the day more gently, perhaps listening to soothing music while you do a few yoga poses first thing, and facing your most challenging tasks later in the day. You’ll probably enjoy your long dog walk more if you take it in the evening.

If you now also realise you’ve been fighting your natural tendencies—and this is, by the way, more common for owls than for larks, because the usual work and school hours are designed for larks—how can you adjust your schedule so you’re at your best all day?

The secret is to fix and stick with regular waking and bed times. Creating a reliable structure will frame your day, so that within it you can then decide--given whether you’re a lark or an owl--when best to exercise, tackle work issues, socialise, and eat meals so you’re best able to digest your food. 

Given that most of us have less choice about when we get up, focus first on your bedtime. If you’re used to going to bed later (or more rarely, earlier) than is helpful to you, move your schedule back (or forwards) 15 minutes a week, until you’re going to bed at a time that ensures seven to eight hours of rest. Schedule your last meal about two or three hours before your desired bedtime. Dim the lights and turn off your screens half an hour before lights out. You might also purchase some lavender oil and sprinkle a few drops on a tissue that you place in your bedroom to help you relax. 

Now the tough news. You’ll need to keep this schedule up, even on weekends, for two months. It sounds like a long time I know, but if you can keep going for those two months you’ll almost certainly establish an automatic habit, one that means you’ll feel rested and ready to tackle the challenges of the day from the moment you wake. At that point the odd slip up is unlikely to matter much: just return to your regular schedule the next day. 

This routine means you’ll be best able to accomplish what you want to accomplish, and do it well. How you go about your day—with full energy straight away if you’re a lark, or gently with rising vigour if you’re an owl—is now yours to choose. 

See you in September,

Linda