6 tips to sticking to a healthy Routine

 I’m healthiest and happiest when I stick to a healthy routine. That is--waking up to meditation, yoga, and getting started with work early in the morning. If I’m waking up by 5:30 am and going to bed before 10 pm, I’m in a good place. But life has its up and downs--we react by constantly changing our schedules. But when you know something works--like your healthy routine--why not work hard to maintain it?
Here’s how:
1. See beyond the current temptations.
I’ve gone off path enough to know that it has a huge impact on my mental, spiritual, and physical health. Sure going out with your best friend for a last minute glass of wine may seem like a good idea at the time, but getting to bed after 11 pm and waking up too late to exercise just doesn’t work for me. See beyond the current temptations and remember how good it feels when you’re on track.

2. Find your motivation
What motivates you to stick to a healthy routine and forego activities that don’t serve you? Whatever it is, find that motivation within yourself and every time you want to break your routine, seek out your inner motivation.
3. Reward yourself.
Your morning routine should be something that you find pleasure in, that way you'll want to do it everyday. Use your morning routine to do something that you enjoy and wouldn’t have time for otherwise like reading a good book, hitting a yoga class, or clearing your mind through meditation.
4. Follow the natural rhythms of nature.
When the sun goes down, time to go to bed, when the sun rises, time to get up, etc. Seems pretty simple, but with the temptations of staying up late into the night, it's not always so easy. Wake up with the sun so you're tired at night and ready to go to bed. Turn off all screens after dinner and consider soft music, reading a book, or writing in a journal as less stimulating entertainment at night.
5. Do tedious tasks the night before.
I want my morning to be pleasant and relaxing so I go ahead and get chores out of the way the night before. I pack lunches, empty the dishwasher, and clean at night so in the morning my day isn’t clouded with mundane tasks and I can get to the good stuff.

6. Don’t get overwhelmed
Don't feel overwhelmed. Instead, gradually add tasks to your daily routine. Add in a morning meditation and then a yoga practice. Start to eat meals at the same time everyday. Wake up and go to bed at the same time everyday. Add steps each week to your healthy daily routine.