19 examples of daily routines: Stay productive and balanced

Medically Reviewed by: Dr. Caley Scott, ND

Mastering wellness and self-care is an ongoing process. With so many important tasks to complete, how do you even begin to prioritize healthy habits and kickstart your path to greatness? While many factors lie outside your control, there’s one thing that makes it all easier: a reliable daily routine.

From the moment you wake up until the end of the day, your daily routine keeps you on track from start to finish. The right approach will help you organize critical tasks, make time for physical health, and ensure you go to bed with a sense of accomplishment.

Rather than spending time stuck in uncertainty and battling stress in the subconscious mind, you can learn to take back control with simple, effective daily habits. In this article, we’re highlighting a simple daily routine that anyone can follow, giving you a foundation for success, balance, and happiness.

What should I include in my morning routine?

Whether you ask top-level athletes or high-achieving business people about their success, you’ll hear a similar response: morning routine is everything. 

While you might have a clear vision of what you want to accomplish, an unstructured approach will leave you wasting time and wondering where the day went. With that in mind, let’s walk through a simple morning routine to set you on the right track each day.

1. Make your bed

Starting your day with small wins is the key to generating momentum and building up to bigger, more important tasks. By making your bed right when your alarm clock goes off, you say no to the snooze button and remove the option to fall back asleep. 

This simple action reinforces that you are organized, in control, and ready for whatever comes next. Plus, when you return to your bed at the end of the day, you’ll be glad to have an orderly space to relax and unwind. 

2. Get some physical activity

Engaging in physical activity early in the morning will boost your circulation and offer a satisfying endorphin release that gives you a crucial advantage. 

You don’t need to run for miles or exhaust yourself in the gym to get these benefits. Some gentle yoga and stretching or a walk around your neighborhood will do the trick. If you can get some sunlight exposure and fresh air, that’s even better.

3. Take supplements with a glass of water

There are countless ways to supplement in the morning, from multivitamins and collagen to creatine and CBD. Taking supplements with a large glass of water will offer the dual benefit of hydration and essential compounds for daily health. 

Sunmed’s Broad Spectrum Rise Tincture is formulated with CBG and CBD, plus invigorating citrus oils for an energizing effect. It’s the perfect way to support your morning ritual and keep your endocannabinoid system balanced throughout the day with clean, premium ingredients.* Be sure to eat a healthy breakfast with your daily wellness routine to ensure it absorbs into your system. 

4. Meditate

Meditation can seem like a tall task for the busiest among us. But realistically, it only takes a few minutes to get the benefits of this ancient practice. Just find a comfortable seated position, release the tension from your body, and focus on your breath as thoughts come and go.

You can use guided meditation or DIY with basic deep breathing to focus your mind and approach the day with presence.

5. Check your to-do list

Only when you’ve completed your morning ritual should you examine your to-do list for the day. This ensures you don’t immediately overwhelm yourself from the second you wake up, creating space for calm in those precious morning moments.

When reviewing your to-do list, you’ll be in the right state of mind to properly assess and prioritize your tasks as needed. Plus, you will have several small achievements under your belt, making it easier to shift into a productive mode of being.

Which workday routines can help you have a productive day?

A great morning routine doesn’t mean much unless you can shift that positive energy into productive output. No matter your profession or creative aspirations, you can’t avoid doing the hard work that brings you closer to your goals.

Here are some reliable workday routines that will program you for success and allow you to enjoy the rest of the day with peace of mind.

6. Set a timer for completing deep work

Deep work is the concept that we are most productive and creative with zero distractions or multi-tasking. It’s easier said than done, but once you find your flow state, you’ll experience the power of deep work for yourself. Use time blocking to focus for set periods of time, interspersed with short breaks for movement and mindset.

If you can practice deep work on a daily basis, you’ll probably find that you get more done in a far shorter timeframe. This leaves more time for other pursuits and a better life balance.

7. Eat a healthy lunch

Whether you want to call it a late breakfast or an early lunch, you’re going to need some nourishment before diving into the workday. Be sure whatever you choice is nutrient-dense with healthy proteins, fats, and carbs to keep your energy levels up.

Avoid foods loaded with sugar or fat that will spike your blood sugar and eventually lead to a crash. Eat with intention and prepare to enter the productive part of your day.

Ideally, you can eat lunch in a space separate from your primary work environment and follow it up with a walk or stretch. This will aid digestion and reset your mind and body to finish the workday strong.

8. Reset your workspace

After lunch and a short break, return to your workspace and get back in the zone for some more deep work. Take a few minutes to get oriented, review your task list, and organize your space to maximize productivity for the remainder of the day. 

By hitting the reset button physically and metaphorically, you brush away the cobwebs and prepare your mind for the next set of critical tasks.

9. Check in with coworkers

By the end of the workday, you’re ready to check out and get on with your evening routine. However, it’s always worth checking in with coworkers and supervisors to review and communicate, even briefly. This keeps the precedent of teamwork and transparency strong so that you can transition to the evening hours with a clear mind.

What does a balanced evening routine look like?

With your most critical tasks out of the way, it’s time to shift gears and ease into a balanced evening routine. This is your time to focus on personal priorities like physical health, creativity, and other aspects of work-life balance that make it all worthwhile. 

Let’s look at an ideal evening routine that will bring a satisfying conclusion to your day and continue your momentum into tomorrow.

10. Exercise

You’ve already enjoyed some light physical activity in the morning, but after work is when many choose to pursue more rigorous exercise and maximize potential. 

From cardio and weightlifting to calisthenics or HIIT, there are many ways to burn off steam and exhaust your body after a productive day — this way, you can clear your head and enjoy the rest of your evening on your own terms.

11. Eat a healthy dinner

Dinner is the largest meal of the day for many, especially if you exercise directly after work. Plan ahead so you have all your necessary ingredients in order, or set aside time to go out with friends or family for a bite. 

Your evening meal should be nourishing but not so big that you feel weighed down for your end-of-day activities. Taking a brief walk or stretch after eating can help digestion and avoid sluggishness.

12. Maintain work-life balance

We always hear about the importance of work-life balance, but what does this actually mean? In practice, this means taking time to yourself away from the responsibilities of the workplace, and clearing space in your mind free of work-related stress.

It’s easy to let your professional life spill over into the personal, whether in your thought patterns or physical environment. Make time for a true work-life balance where you’re completely free of emails, messages, and expectations.

13. Take 15 minutes to plan the next day’s important tasks

Before you fully “log off” for the night, you can give yourself some added peace of mind with just 15 minutes of task planning. Review your schedule so that you have an idea of what to expect, and visualize the tasks you need to complete in a certain order. 

There’s no need to fixate on tomorrow or stress out unnecessarily. This is simply a time to review your upcoming day so that you can wake up feeling confident and prepared.

14. Do a creative practice

We all have creative potential within, so take a few moments to let it shine through. Maybe you like to write short stories, draw on your tablet, or make memes to share with friends. Flexing your creative muscles can help you unwind and relieve some tension from the day in a healthy way.

How can I prepare for tomorrow the night before?

Evening preparation ensures you can wake up from a rejuvenating night of rest and hit the ground running in the morning. Use these habits to spend time with loved ones, reflect on the day, and prime yourself for sleep with Full Spectrum Rest Gummies.*

By preparing for the next day, you can rise and shine with the confidence and enthusiasm you need to conquer whatever challenges lay ahead.

15. Put away your smartphone to avoid blue light

Artificial blue light is everywhere, from the overhead lights of the office to the glow of computer and phone screens. Too much blue light can disrupt sleep and cause other health issues, so make a point to turn off those screens as you ease into your evening ritual.

16. Spend time bonding with friends or family members

We should all make time for friends and family since our loved ones are the most important people in our lives. Carve out some time to spend bonding and sharing stories and jokes about your day. Being together in person is the best way to create these bonds, but communicating via phone or video is a fine alternative. 

17. Read for learning and relaxation

Reading is a habit with the dual benefit of education and relaxation. While some TV is fine now and then, a daily reading practice will be far more enriching and life-changing in the long term. It’s all about finding the material you find stimulating, whether it’s biographies, non-fiction, or light satirical stories. 

18. Do a self-care activity

A self-care activity will reinforce your commitment to your own health and well-being while also helping you relax and unwind. A CBD bubble bath, for example, can help soothe the body and mind and let you take some much-needed time to yourself. Follow this up with some skincare and a cup of tea for the perfect self-care evening routine.*

19. Journal for self-reflection

A few minutes of writing in your journal can help you reflect on the day and organize your thoughts. No need to stick to a strict format — just write whatever comes to mind and feels most important to you. As you build this habit over time, your entries will become more meaningful and helpful, guiding you through life’s challenges. 

How do these examples of daily routines keep you productive and balanced?

We’ve outlined 19 of the most critical habits to incorporate into your daily routine, from energy-boosting activities to deep work and relaxation. Now, let’s look at the benefits you can expect from following a routine, giving you more reason to follow through and succeed. 

Help maintain energy levels 

Apart from time, energy is your most critical asset as you navigate your daily routine. Healthy habits are designed to keep your energy levels high throughout the day, giving you the fuel and motivation to forge ahead and avoid crashes. 

From nutrition and hydration to physical activity and time management, you’ll have plenty of energy to thrive.

Give you a sense of accomplishment 

There’s nothing better than reaching the end of the day with a sense of accomplishment. It’s the feeling of knowing you’ve done everything in your power to advance your life in the right direction. 

When you consistently enjoy this feeling, it generates momentum that makes you even more resilient and capable of moving forward. As the saying goes: life doesn’t get easier — you just get stronger!

Aid work-life balance and time management

The emphasis on work-life balance is universal in professional circles, so why does it seem so elusive in our modern world? The answer lies in time management and the ability to balance your own task list with priorities, boundaries, and organizational strategies. 

In other words, work-life balance isn’t going to magically manifest before your eyes. It’s a skill you need to develop, and it takes time to master. By crafting a daily routine and sticking to it, you’re already on the right path.

Help you prioritize your mental health

Mental health can be difficult to assess, especially from our own point of view. However, if you feel less than 100% psychologically, there are likely some steps you can take to improve. 

With a daily routine in place, you give yourself an edge in mental health by taking control of your schedule and setting strong boundaries where needed. The result is more time for self-care, better habits, and a sense of internal strength and stability that pays off in many other ways.

Support your well-being with healthy habits

There’s a real sense of pride and satisfaction you get from putting your well-being first. From working out to healthy eating and a relaxing evening routine, the feeling of true wellness is unmatched. 

If you’ve always felt like there aren’t enough hours in the day to pursue healthy habits, it’s likely because you don’t have the routine to support them. Take back control with a routine, and you’ll see there’s more time to care for your body and mind.

Reduce your reliance on apps and social media

Technology gives us so much in terms of convenience and connectivity, but these come at a cost. You may feel like you depend too much on apps and social media for entertainment or that you can’t find a free mental space without them. 

While these tech tools are indeed necessary for some aspects of modern life, you’ll discover that a good daily routine reduces your reliance on tech. This return to reality can be a good thing for your well-being and quality of life overall.

The bottom line

You probably know that a daily routine is important, and maybe you have one of your own, however flawed. This article is your foundation to get back on track with an effective routine and outlines the exact reasons why you should start. 

Remember that you don’t need the perfect daily routine to succeed, and it’s okay to stumble here and there. As long as you learn from your mistakes and keep pushing forward with small improvements, you can be certain you’re on the right track.

Sources:

Everyday Ideas to Move More | NIH

Routines and Meaning in Life | Sage Journals

Effects of blue light on the circadian system and eye physiology | NIH

Deep Work: The Secret to Achieving Peak Productivity | Knowledge at Wharton

Meditation: A simple, fast way to reduce stress | Mayo Clinic