By Although it is common to talk about both as if they were the same, you can do the habit automatically, while the routine is organized consciously. Learn the keys to distinguish them and how to develop them.
Have you ever wondered why some tasks feel automatic and others require more planning? The answer lies in the difference between habit and routine. Habits are behaviors that we perform almost without thinking, thanks to constant repetition. Routines, on the other hand, are activities that we organize to structure our time.
Understanding these distinctions helps us manage our schedule and energy , leading to a better quality of life and mental well-being. Read on to discover more about the characteristics of habits and routines, and learn practical tips for developing both in a healthy way.
What is a habit and how is it formed?
A habit is something we do automatically because we have done it many times before . These actions develop little by little when we connect certain stimuli with our habitual responses. For example, once we learn to brush our teeth, we do it every day without thinking much about it.
Habits imply a reduction in the need for conscious control to carry out an action, since they are executed almost automatically in particular situations.
According to a study published in Personality and Individual Differences , habits are triggered by environmental cues and allow us to perform routine actions efficiently, freeing up our attention for other activities.
As habits become established, control over how we act is no longer so dependent on our conscious intentions or goals we may have. Instead, these behaviors are activated automatically in response to environmental cues that we have associated with those actions . To give you an idea, here are some common ones:
- Exercise on specific days of the week.
- Practice meditation every day when you wake up.
- Read a book every night before going to sleep.
- Drink water at regular intervals throughout the day.
- Saying “thank you” and expressing gratitude in a variety of situations.
- Play music to better concentrate on tasks.
- Turn off the lights when leaving a room to save energy.
- Brush our teeth after getting up and before going to bed.
- Tidy up your desk and check your email at the start of the workday.
What is a routine?
Simply put, a routine is a structured set of activities that a person performs regularly and systematically in their daily life. These activities are consciously organized and follow a predictable pattern , providing order and stability in day-to-day life.
The routine part of our lives helps us adapt to our environment, reducing uncertainty and facilitating self-motivation and productivity. In addition, having daily routines can contribute to stress management and the promotion of emotional well-being, by providing a sense of control and familiarity in everyday life.
According to research from the Journal of Global Health , daily routines can be divided into two types: primary and secondary. Primary routines are those activities that we do every day to stay healthy and live. For example:
- Morning routine : get up at a specific time, wash your face, brush your teeth, shower, and get dressed for the day.
- Eating routine : eating balanced meals at regular times throughout the day.
- Self-care routine : taking care of personal needs such as skin, hair, or mental health, with regular practices such as meditation or self-care.
- Nighttime routine : getting ready for bed by brushing our teeth, changing clothes, and reading before bed.
On the other hand, secondary routines are actions that we choose to do because we like them or because they help us achieve our goals. This can include routines such as the following:
- Exercise routine : doing a series of exercises at a set time, either at home, at the gym or outdoors.
- Beauty routine : carrying out different steps for the care of our skin and hair, such as applying makeup and combing our hair.
- Work or study routine : adhering to a specific schedule, checking emails, preparing reports or assignments, as well as attending meetings or classes.
- House cleaning routine : cleaning different areas of the house on specific days of the week.
Both types of routines are important, but primary routines are essential for our survival and basic well-being, so they should be given priority . Secondary routines, on the other hand, comprise things we want to do to feel good or achieve something specific in our lives.
What are the differences?
Understanding the fundamental differences between habit and routine is crucial to improving our personal organization and efficiency, as well as our overall well-being. Here are the main differences between each of these terms:
1. Definition and nature
As we have highlighted previously, a habit is an automatic and repetitive behavior that is performed almost unconsciously, due to frequent repetition. A routine, on the other hand, is a structured set of activities that are followed regularly in a specific and consciously planned order.
2. Training and automation
Habits are formed through constant repetition of an action until they become automated in the mind and are performed without much effort. Routines, on the other hand, are established through conscious planning and organizing activities into a specific schedule or sequence.
3. Purpose and motivation
Habits are typically less driven by specific goals or conscious intentions once they have been established. Instead, every routine has a clear purpose behind its structure , geared toward organizing time and actions to achieve personal goals or meet responsibilities.
4. Flexibility and adaptability
Once established, habits tend to be more rigid and less open to changes in the environment or circumstances. Routines, on the other hand, can be easily adjusted and modified to adapt to new situations or needs without losing their basic structure.
Strategies to develop healthy habits and routines
If you want to acquire new habits and routines that will improve your quality of life and you don’t know where to start, don’t worry too much. Getting started can seem overwhelming, but there are simple steps you can take to make it easier and more effective:
- Identify your goals . Think about what areas of your life you would like to improve. This could be getting more exercise, improving your diet, or establishing a more regular sleep routine.
- Start small . Don’t try to change everything at once. Pick one small habit or routine that you can easily implement into your daily life.
- Create a supportive environment . Modify your surroundings to support the habits you want to develop. For example, if you want to exercise regularly, keep your exercise equipment visible and have a suitable space for it.
- Set fixed schedules and routines . Assign specific times to do your daily activities. This helps structure your day and makes it easier to automate those behaviors over time.
- Adjust as needed . If something isn’t working or you’re struggling, adjust your approach. It’s normal to face obstacles, the important thing is to learn from them and move on.
- Celebrate your successes . Recognize and celebrate every small goal you accomplish along the way. This reinforces your motivation and helps you maintain momentum.
- Be consistent . The key to developing lasting habits and routines is consistency. Maintain consistent effort, even when you face challenges or setbacks.
- Find support . Share your goals with friends or family who can encourage and support you on your journey toward healthier habits .
Good habits and routines can improve your mental health
By cultivating healthy habits and establishing structured routines, you can strengthen your ability to handle daily challenges with greater calm and resilience.
Therefore, do not underestimate habits and routines, as they allow you to direct your efforts towards behaviors that support your mental health and help you have a more balanced and satisfying life.