Modern lives now are all about the hustle and the grind. Every day sees a new challenge, a new possibility. When this hustle takes up every inch of our life, it can be difficult to find time to sit back and relax our mind.

Here is where a routine comes in.

A routine is made of a structure and sequence of habits that help us go through the day in an orderly manner. A lack of a routine might give room for spontaneity but eventually falls into disorder and only serves to stress us out. The presence of a routine has also been linked with lower levels of anxiety.

Making a routine is, no doubt, not easy. So, here are a few tips you can use in your daily life to bring in more order and peace of mind.

30 Minutes Of 'Me Time'

If, after you wake up, the first thing you do is reach for your phone, you're not alone. According to a survey from Reviews.org, 71% of people check their phone within 10 minutes of waking up. However, this sets the tone for the rest of the day. You may never know what information you are met with, and you are not in a mindset to greet it with a proper attitude. Therefore, it is advised to set aside the first 30 minutes of your day for yourself.

This may include any activities that clear your mind like stretching, working out, meditating, or journaling. Making a list of all that you need to do that day and finishing your chores can also make your day more productive.

A Good Breakfast

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day for more reasons than one. As the name suggests, it is the meal that breaks your overnight fast and replenishes your energy and alertness. This is why a proper breakfast should be one of your utmost priorities. For the most nutritious breakfast, try to choose whole, unprocessed foods from each of the five food groups: fruits, vegetables, grains, protein foods, and dairy. Try to include proteins from foods like yogurts (look for varieties with less sugar added), eggs, nuts and seeds, or legumes.

Energy Breaks

In a fast-paced and mission-driven world, breaks are often preached but not practiced well enough. For a healthy balance between your life and mental health, it is important to take a few breaks throughout the day for restoring your energy.

These breaks can be anywhere between an hour or half. Just a few moments where you are not thinking of your next goal, your upcoming exam or project, and instead are appreciating everything you currently have. This may include physical and social activities like going out with friends or it can be moments of solitude like reading a book or taking a nap.

Gratitude Journal

In positive psychology research, gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness. Gratitude helps us feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improve your health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships. Maintaining a gratitude journal gives you space to recognize and acknowledge everything in your present life that you are thankful for.

Before ending the day, make sure to write down 2 things about today and 3 things in your life that you are grateful about. In the morning, reading your entry from the night before can help give a positive boost.

Stretch Your Body

Throughout the day, the muscles in your body absorb tension. This tension, if not released, causes pain during the day and leads to fitful sleep. The best way to deal with this problem is by stretching your body before sleeping. It not only helps with muscle tension but also aids in improving blood flow and fixing posture, all ingredients for a perfect recipe of good sleep.

It is to be noted that maintaining your routine every day is not easy and you must never beat yourself up over not following through one thing and simply try to do that thing the next day. These are only habits in the making. Here's hoping that these tips help you kickstart your own daily routine for a great day!