There are amazing buildings all over the world. Buildings that can inspire awe and joy because they are just so beautiful. Buildings that require a second—or a third look—because they are so unusual. Buildings that fill the viewer with pride because they stand for something important. (You can see examples of all of these kinds of buildings here.)
Some buildings are so unusual that it is hard to figure out just how they are supported so that they can stand at all. The Leaning Tower of Pisa might come to mind, but the Dancing House—inspired by dancers Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers—in the Czech Republic is another great example.
But the Dancing House and all other architectural marvels have something in common: They were designed with supporting structures that ensure that they will not simply crumble to the ground. Those structures are sometimes obvious and sometimes not, but in all cases, an underlying structure is an essential part of any building blueprint.
The idea of an underlying structure supporting something wonderful can be applied to your mental health as well. As your mental well-being improves over time, it can be extremely helpful to create a structure that continually reinforces those improvements.
Let’s consider what those structures might look like.
You Can Structure Your Day Around Routines
When you are struggling with a mental health disorder, your life may feel quite unsettled. That feeling can persist even as you start to manage your symptoms more skillfully (and with the help of a therapist, medication, or both). A great way to address this unsettled feeling is to establish some routines.
Leaning into routines is a strategy for reminding your body and brain that you are safe. The predictability of your routines can lessen your nervous system’s tendency to ramp up and undermine your efforts to get through the day.
There are plenty of options for what your daily routines might look like. Good habits around sleep—including a set bedtime and waking time—can be a great place to start. You can also set routines around your eating habits—mealtimes, healthy snack choices, etc.—that keep your schedule set. You can establish an exercise routine, a journaling practice, and much, much more.
Lest you feel overwhelmed by the options, let us assure you that setting up structures and routines that work well for you and your mental health is the goal. You need not turn every aspect of your life into a routine. Start with one aspect of your day and see how it works for you. If that routine seems helpful—and we think it probably will—you can add in other routines.
How Your Routines Support Your Mental Health
The idea of having some regular routines might sound interesting, but you might be wondering just how those routines are supposed to provide support for your mental health. That’s fair enough.
Here are some key advantages of having structured routines in your life:
- Routines can provide a sense of control: It is not at all uncommon for a person to feel their life is largely out of their control. That feeling can be amplified for someone who is dealing with a mental health disorder. Routines establish order and following those routines returns a sense of agency and control to you—and that leads to the next benefit.
- Routines can lessen stress and anxiety: When everything feels like it is spinning out of control, higher levels of stress and anxiety are likely to arise. Your routines add predictability and a sense that some decisions have been made in advance, and that can lower the amount of stress and anxiety you feel throughout the day.
- Routines can support your physical health: Many of the examples of routines we gave earlier in this post could help improve your physical well-being. That is important in and of itself, but it is important because good physical health and good mental and emotional health go hand in hand.
- Routines can keep your mental health momentum going: Daily routines provide an opportunity to ring up small victories throughout your day. Those wins can lead to a stronger sense of confidence as they establish that you can consistently reach your goals. That sets you up for more success in bigger situations as well.
A Reminder: Don’t Be Too Rigid
We noted above that you do not have to transform every aspect of your life into some sort of routine. Flexibility and spontaneity are important to your mental health, too. In fact, we wrote about the importance of stepping outside your routines from time to time in this previous post. Still and all, a few well thought out support structurers can ensure your mental health continues to stand strong.
Let’s Build Something Together
At Peak View Behavioral Health—located in Colorado Springs, Colorado—we build personalized treatment plans to help individuals struggling with a mental health disorder. Our approach is built around evidence-based practices and supported by our expertise, experience, and empathy.
If you are struggling with your mental health, we are here to help. We can help you build a new future for yourself grounded in balance and hope.
