Each life contains at least one repeated rhythm. For adults, most of these occur at work, where a routine can be anything from taking lunch at the same time to performing an entire list of tasks before going home. For parents, the idea of personal routine is often left at work and from the moment they arrive home, it shifts to revolve around their children. This is a noble sacrifice as routines are especially beneficial to youth. 

Kids display a fear of the unknown that can prove to be rather intense. They frequently refuse to try new foods and may panic at the slightest notion of change. The truth is that a young body is constantly growing and changing. In what seems like the blink of an eye, an infant learns to speak and is potty-trained. They abandon their bottles and pacifiers and are faced with the prospect of “growing up” everyday. Establishing routines where everything remains the same can provide kids with a sense of security. 

It is rather common for children to have set bedtimes and mealtimes, however, adults often sleep and eat at irregular times. Though we tend to lose touch with them as we grow older, routines will never lose their importance. That sense of security is just as important to mature bodies as it is to younger ones. Life may be too hectic to accommodate a detailed schedule, but even small amounts of loose planning can spark big changes. For example, when your body is programmed to rest and rise at certain hours, you develop a healthier sleep cycle and may find yourself requiring less caffeine in the mornings. Also, if you can train yourself to take your meals at roughly the same time each day, you can also regulate how much you eat, resulting in less snacking throughout the day.

 Finally, you may be able to incorporate routines into your common errands. Dedicating a specific day every week to go to the grocery store, for instance, may not only save you from running out of items you need; it could also save you time that you would normally take out of other shopping trips in order to restock your kitchen. When order is added to average tasks, it can provide stability, which plays a key role in lowering stress.