We all have a routine. We wake up, go to work, come home, and make dinner. We do the same thing every day, over and over again. And while this is certainly not a bad thing—routines help us stay productive and organized—it can also be stressful!
The human brain is a pattern-seeking organ. It likes to make predictions about the future and be consistent with its past experiences, so it is not good at dealing with uncertainty. This can lead you to feel stuck in your routine, especially if you are used to doing things a certain way.
This is why it is important to shake up your routine now and then! If there are things that are missing from your life, then think about making some changes so that those things can be included into the mix as well (even if it means changing up some parts of what makes up your daily schedule).
Shaking up your routine and breaking out of this pattern-following mindset requires some creativity and stepping out of your comfort zone. It is all about seeking out the unfamiliar, making room to make and learn from mistakes, and trying something new, often, that you have never done before--even if it seems scary at first.
So, what is the takeaway here?
The best way to shake up your routine is by changing your environment. If you are feeling stuck in a rut or just generally unproductive, get out of your comfort zone, explore new places and people-you will be surprised at how much this can impact your mental state.