Sunday, April 19, 2020

Don’t Underestimate the Power of Routine

One of the best things we can do for our state of mental health during this unpredictable time is maintain a certain level of predictability in the things we can control—like the ordering of our every day

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By Quentin Steen, Representative

I remember watching the movie Groundhog Day with conflicting thoughts. On the one hand, I thought how fun it would be to live the same day over and over again. On the other hand, I thought how much that would suck!

For those who have not seen it, Groundhog Day stars Bill Murray as Phil Connors, a TV weatherman who, during an assignment covering the annual Groundhog Day event, is caught in a time loop, repeatedly reliving the same day.

Groundhog Day was a modest success on release and generally garnered positive reviews. It later attracted critical acclaim and is often included in lists of the best comedy films. The term groundhog day is now commonly used to describe a recurring situation.

The last few weeks have left many of us feeling like we're starring in our own Groundhog Day—minus the groundhog sightings. Admittedly, the idea of staying home in quarantine and self-isolation was novel at first.

But how quickly things can change—even for those of us who are introverts.

Whether you're an introvert or extrovert, we all share one thing in common: this pandemic has brought about a total disruption of what we knew as the normal order of our day.

I remember when our kids were young, how emotionally finished my wife and I were by the time spring break ended. We could hardly wait to send them back to school, reestablish a routine, and get back to some semblance of normality.

One of the best things we can do for our state of mental health during this unpredictable time, and in other situations we have no control over, is maintain a certain level of predictability in the things we can control—like the ordering of our every day. Most of us will find the necessary comfort and support that comes from establishing and sticking with a daily routine that works for our specific circumstances.

Without a routine, you may find yourself more irritable, restless, wandering, and anxious than need be. Or, even worse, depressed.

My advice is similar to those who join a gym: know your limitations, set a reasonable and achievable goal, create a routine that sets you up for success, and stick with it.

Here’s the daily weekday routine that I’ve established for myself during this pandemic.

7 a.m. – Wake up

8 a.m. – Morning walk

8:30 a.m. – Breakfast

9 a.m. – Work

Noon – Lunch

1 p.m. – Work

3 p.m. – Break (I usually go for a walk.)

3:30 p.m. – Work

5 p.m. – Workout and run (well, more like a slow jog)

6 p.m. – Shower (It helps me change gears for the evening and wash away the day.)

11 p.m. – Bed time

This kind of routine might not work for you, especially if you have small children who need help with their school work. But the point is to find a routine that works for you, and stick with it as best as you can.

Quentin Steen is a certified mental health first aid instructor for the Mental Health Commission of Canada.

Get your BRAIN right and your MIND will follow!

CLAC’s two benefits providers, GSC and Manulife, have partnered together to provide Stronger Minds, a resource created by BEACON to support all Canadians through the COVID-19 crisis with

• Timely videos and quick reads from mental health experts

• Activities to help you gain resilience

• Ask an Expert videos in response to questions we receive

CLAC is also continuing to make available to all members and their families our employment and family assistance program. If you or your loved ones are struggling, please do not hesitate to reach out for help today.

Don’t Underestimate the Power of Routine

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