Written by the Smart Solutions Education Team
Although a life with no variety would quickly become boring, routines allow you to perform tasks without engaging in a lot of mental energy, which is a bonus during stressful times. A good example of a healthy routine is brushing your teeth: It has become a twice daily habit that takes up little real estate in your brain. In other words, you do it without thinking. That’s a good thing, because research shows that the more decisions we make in a day, the more depleted we get.[1]
To support your well-being, look for other low-decision routines you could build into your day. For instance, you know that it’s important to get your nutrition from healthy food – but sometimes you have gaps you need to fill. Vitamin D is a good example: as we head into shorter days and less sunlight (plus icy temperatures), most Canadians become deficient in this nutrient and need to supplement to meet minimum requirements.[2] Add Vitamin D to your monthly shopping list and leave it there. The second thing that you can do to make things easier is to consider enrolling in a personalized subscription service that allows you to customize your daily vitamin regimen. Best of all, your supplements are shipped directly to your home.
The last step in your new health routine is to actually take your supplements. Roll this activity into another routine you’ve already established, such as eating breakfast or enjoying a morning beverage. Rather than tucking your supplements away in a cupboard to be forgotten, keep them front and centre on the kitchen counter or the top of your bedroom dresser so you remember to take them daily.
Foundation for your new routine
If you’re not sure where to begin when it comes to your new health routine, start with the foundation products, including probiotics, a multi, essential fatty acids and a protein supplement. Add vitamins C[3] and D[4] to support your immune system. Although creating your new routine may require a little effort upfront, it will lead to fewer decisions, less stress and better well-being down the road.
References:
[1] Polman, E., & Vohs, K. (2016). Decision Fatigue, Choosing for Others, and Self-Construal. Social Psychological and Personality Science, 7(5), 471–478. https://doi.org/10.1177/1948550616639648
[2] Janz, T., & Peason, C. (2015). Vitamin D blood levels of Canadians. Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 82-624-X. Accessed online August 31, 2020 https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/82-624-x/2013001/article/11727-eng.htm
[3] Carr, A.C.; Maggini, S. Vitamin C and Immune Function. Nutrients 2017, 9, 1211.
[4] Schwalfenberg, G.K. (2011), A review of the critical role of vitamin D in the functioning of the immune system and the clinical implications of vitamin D deficiency. Mol. Nutr. Food Res., 55: 96-108. doi:10.1002/mnfr.201000174
