Back in the Habit
Have bad habits crept into your morning routine? Are you struggling to resume the daily race against time? You’re not alone and there are little things you can change to help. Restrictions have eased across the UK over the last few months, meaning life is slowly returning to pre-pandemic normality
Now is the time to regain control and get back into some good habits to help your schedule run that little bit smoother! Here are some helpful tips to get you back on track.
How to get your daily routine back
Having a routine can do wonders for your well-being and set you up for the rest of the week. Whether you are heading back to the office soon or you’re continuing to work from home, being a little more organised can make a huge difference.
If you’ve noticed that you’ve been getting up later and later in the morning, consider setting your alarm 10 minutes earlier each day until you start getting up at a reasonable hour again. To help things further, why not organise your clothes the night before as well, so you’re not in as much of a rush when you get up.
Speaking of clothes, consider going a step further and sorting through your wardrobes and drawers. Separate work, leisure and comfort outfits so the right attire is always on hand. Having a clear-out also helps to declutter your home and even make room for some new clothes now that the shops are open again.
Before you go to bed, spend around an hour with no distractions so you can relax. Put your phone down and turn off the TV, perhaps read or have a bath to wind down. This can help you fall asleep quicker and might improve your quality of sleep too, so that early morning alarm doesn’t feel too bad after all. To remove the dreaded anxiety just before nodding off, try writing a list of all the things you need to do the following day. This will help your mind from having wandering thoughts of ‘what-ifs’ just before drifting off to sleep.
Restore your peace of mind
Getting your good habits back can include a whole host of things, from exercising daily to eating your 5-a-day, sorting out bills and paperwork or those annoying little DIY jobs you’ve been putting off for a rainy day. All these things add up, and with time being more precious than it was a few months ago, you may be overwhelmed with one or more of these chores in the weeks ahead.
One such task that you absolutely shouldn’t skip is reviewing your life insurance
If you took out cover a while ago and you haven’t checked your policy documents, or if your policy is due for renewal, it’s important to check you still have the right amount of life insurance. Circumstances may have changed over the last 12 months, including your financial situation or your number of dependents.
Consider changes that might require a review, such as:
* Births
* Marriage
* Divorce
* Moving house
* Change in salary
It’s important that you aren’t overpaying for life insurance, but equally crucial that you aren’t underpaying as this may not leave you with enough cover. A trained adviser can help you to better understand the amount of cover you need, based on your individual circumstances and budget.
Transport and travel habits
If you take public transport to get around, it’s so important that you are making your journeys as safe and as cost-effective as possible. Whether it’s wearing a mask and carrying hand sanitiser, or choosing the next bus that might be quieter, you can change your transport and travelling habits to keep you and everyone else that little bit safer.
If you are commuting by public transport, such as buses, trains or trams, but not travelling enough to make use of seasonal passes, check if it’s cheaper to travel off-peak; if it is, your employer may be able to look at you starting earlier or later on the odd days where you need to go into work. There are lots of different schemes to help you save on your travel costs, and those few pounds a month will soon add up.
Food planning
You can avoid additional stress in your everyday routine by being organised with mealtimes. If you’ve had a busy day, the last thing you need is to get home and then decide what you want for dinner. In most cases, this results in ordering a cheeky takeaway because you’re too hungry to prepare a nutritious, balanced and cost-effective meal.
Similarly, be sure to plan your snacks in advance to curb your appetite! Stocking up the cupboards and fridge with the right snacks and items to eat on the go can really make a difference to both your health and wallet.
