Routine helps facilitate brain injury recovery in a number of ways. Keep reading this week’s post to learn more!
What is routine?
According to Merriam-Webster’s dictionary, routine is “a regular course of procedure.” It is a sequence of actions or activities that are followed in a regular, consistent way. For example, your morning routine might be something like this:
- Wake up
- Go to the bathroom
- Take a shower
- Get dressed
- Take the dog out
- Eat breakfast
How can routines help after a brain injury?
Establishing and following a routine facilitates brain injury recovery because it helps you to:
- Remember what to do next. Repetition of a routine makes remembering what to do next more automatic (for example, you probably don’t have to remember to put your seatbelt on when you get in the car – it is routine!)
- Be more proactive and intentional with your time. By establishing a routine, YOU decide in advance how you spend your time. Less time is spent (even wasted?) thinking about what to do next.
- Move more fluidly through your day. When you follow your routine the same way each day, you will develop a pattern of moving seamlessly from one activity/task to the next.
- Manage distractions. No more wondering/perseverating on “What should I do next?!” Your routine is a plan and guide that you can stick to so you can be mindful of the present moment.
How can I start adding routines in my daily life after a brain injury?
First, think about any routines you had in your life BEFORE your injury. If you had routines that worked before, there is no need to re-invent the wheel – stick with your familiar routines!
Next, start simple. If you don’t have one already, start with establishing a morning routine so that you start your day in an intentional way. Perhaps write down the few steps you’d like to follow each morning to help you remember and build consistency. Soon you should find you no longer need the written reminder.
If you want help developing routines, reach out to a speech therapist (SLP) trained in cognitive rehabilitation. SLPs, such as Katherine and Caitlin at Lotus Speech & Wellness, LLC, can help you establish and follow daily routines.