Lately, there’s been a growing trend of presenting self-care routines as something super exciting. Whether it’s trying a new class, signing up for the latest Personal Growth course, buying the latest product, or following a new trend, there’s an inordinate focus on what’s new and different.
Social media is filled with vibrant videos encouraging us to follow the latest trends, presenting them as the elixir of eternal life or the ultimate path to nirvana. They tell us that taking care of ourselves doesn’t have to be boring and offer a thousand ideas for changing things up every day.
However, the truth is that most of the habits that truly contribute to our daily well-being aren’t that exciting. They tend to be repetitive. They don’t get much attention. And sometimes, they’re even a little boring.
But that’s not bad.
In fact, self-care routines that seem simple or predictable tend to be the ones that stick the longest. Often, the most boring parts of self-care can actually be the most beneficial. Accepting this reality will help you shift gears and improve every day (without much fanfare).
Consistency takes you further than emotion
Sometimes we fall into the fallacy of thinking that only novel or interesting things can contribute something valuable to self-care. However, the truth is that many of the healthiest and most positive self-care routines have been around for thousands of years. And most people who follow them aren’t doing anything superhuman or exciting; they’re just consistent.
This could translate into habits as simple as staying hydrated throughout the day, following a balanced diet, exercising regularly, getting enough rest, and practicing breathing or mindfulness exercises. These habits don’t seem very special, but they can help you maintain a routine that makes you feel good, both physically and emotionally.
Some people also turn to simple psychological tricks to help them stick to these healthy routines, such as setting reminders to go to the gym, preparing their weekly menu in advance to avoid temptation, limiting their use of social media, scheduling short breaks to disconnect from work, or even leaving motivational quotes visible around the home to reinforce positive habits.
The key isn’t to do more, but to find those things that help you stay consistent. When a routine is easy to follow, you’re more likely to stick with it over time. You don’t have to constantly search for new ideas if you already have effective habits that work for you.
You don’t need to constantly update your wellness routine
There’s a certain social pressure to change or improve our wellness habits, as if we were software that needs constant updating. New workouts, new ingredients, new devices, new psychological techniques… there’s always something new to try. And while experimenting can be fun, it’s not always necessary. If something works, there’s no need to replace it.
A self-care routine you enjoy, an easy-to-follow diet, that walk you take every afternoon, or that morning yoga session might be habits you don’t need to change unless you really want to and what you’re about to incorporate will help you improve.
Sticking with what works encourages consistency. You won’t have to waste time deciding what to do next; you just do what you already know fits into your lifestyle. That kind of stability can be more helpful than constantly starting something new, which will require more willpower. In fact, neuroimaging studies have revealed that as we repeat an action, our brain transfers it to more automatic areas, allowing us to repeat it without overthinking it. And that translates into less effort and more consistency.
Plus, when you allow habits to take hold, you’ll also be able to figure out what’s actually benefiting you. If you’re always jumping from one idea to another, it’s harder to spot the self-care routine that’s truly making a difference and the one that’s just adding background noise.
Spoiler alert: in most cases, basic self-care routines are more than enough. To take care of yourself, you don’t need to completely overhaul your routine. If you eat healthy, stay active, and learn to manage stress, you’re already doing a lot.
Real life isn’t always ideal for Instagram.
On the internet, wellness routines seem perfect. Appetizing salads, amazing workouts, photos of a yoga retreat overlooking the sea… All of this is so common on social media, it leads us to think it’s what we should aspire to. But most of us don’t live that idyllic version of self-care.
Self-care routines in real life are less photogenic. Maybe your salad isn’t as Instagrammable, and you practice yoga in your living room, barely stretching between the sofa and the flowerpot. However, that doesn’t diminish the value and effectiveness of your habits.
When we stop trying to make our self-care routines look perfect, we find it easier to enjoy them. The goal of these habits isn’t to make them look impressive; you’re choosing them because they help you feel good in your daily life.
The truth is, the most effective wellness routines are actually commonplace and unglamorous habits. They’re the things no one usually shares on social media, like always going to bed at the same time, cooking instead of ordering takeout, taking a relaxing shower, practicing 10 minutes of meditation daily, spending quality time with your loved ones…
These kinds of things may not be as exciting or shocking, but they are often the most effective in taking care of your physical health and maintaining mental balance.
Boring does not mean ineffective
There’s a big difference between exciting and useful. Just because a routine seems simple or even banal doesn’t mean it’s ineffective. In fact, when you repeat certain behaviors, you’re more likely to maintain them and they become habits.
Doing the same thing every day may not seem so special, but it creates a certain “rhythm” in your life. And that rhythm will help you reduce the pressure of constant decision-making. When you reduce the number of decisions you have to make every day—from what to eat to when to exercise to when to unwind—you free up mental energy for what really matters.
This “healthy autopilot” will be especially valuable in times of fatigue or stress, when self-control weakens and it’s easier to let go of what benefits us. In fact, studies have shown that established routines stick even when we’re exhausted, because they no longer depend so much on willpower, but on ingrained habit.
On the other hand, when you know what’s coming next, you feel more secure and can better manage unforeseen events. Having a basic, yet flexible, order provides you with a frame of reference that cushions uncertainty. That way, if something unexpected comes up, everything won’t fall apart because your day will have enough anchor points to regain balance.
This sense of predictability is nothing to be reproached about. On the contrary, it’s what allows you to adapt without getting lost in the chaos. It’s the kind of quiet stability that underpins long-term well-being. When life seems unpredictable, daily habits can give you a foothold to hold on to.
Wellness doesn’t always have to be exciting, novel, or spectacular. In fact, when routines seem more predictable and simple, it can be a sign that they’re working. The idea that everything must constantly change or improve can create pressure to do more than necessary.
If you already have habits that make you feel good, that fit into your daily routine, and that fit your lifestyle and tastes, why change them to follow the latest trend? Simple, consistent habits often go unnoticed, but they’re the ones that last and make a difference. So, if your wellness routine feels “boring,” it may mean you’ve found something that works.
References:
Guida, P. et. Al. (2022) An fMRI meta-analysis of the role of the striatum in everyday-life vs laboratory-developed habits. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews; 141: 104826.
Neal, D. T. et. Al. (2013) How do people adhere to goals when willpower is low? The profits (and pitfalls) of strong habits. J Pers Soc Psychol; 104(6): 959-975.
Duhigg, C. (2012) The power of habit: Why we do what we do in life and business. New York: Random House.
Ashby, F. G. et. Al. (2010) Cortical and basal ganglia contributions to habit learning and automaticity. Trends Cogn Sci.; 14(5): 208-215.
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