Cheri’s Connection Corner - Routine & Structure for Better Mental Health

@SunShineAlwaysGrateful

UPDATED TAGLIST 7/30/2023

1st part

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@SunShineAlwaysGrateful

2nd Part Taglist

@junem @justbecause @Justbreathingx9 @JustExisting1027 @JustMe1225 @justpassingthrough10 @K8tjee @kala @Katbtrying552 @Kathy1212 @kathy3667 @Kavajava @kcollier6517 @Kevin0291 @kickiree @kickan75 @Kimberley555 @KindblueEyes @kindCloud141 @Kira09 @kit4228 @kitty2018 @kittycat15 @klemen @koyaanisqatse8 @Kurt789 @LadySnowcat @LakeGirl819 @Lara @lateasusual @Lauren63 @LavenderDaily @lesjon @lelahni @Lifer @lightBalsam5585 @LightSoul108 @lilaj3796 @LimegreenNorth1124 @LindaWinNJ @lisamac724 @ListeningKaty @livefreely04 @LivingLovingLifeRecovery @livingwithbpdx2 @lledmonds1969 @Lolowise475 @lonea @Lonelybeth @LoneShade @lookingforpeace @LostanLonely @Lostinlove50 @love @Love2Boat65 @LovecraftianHorror @LoveResearcher @lrsmith9636 @LucianX @luv2shop @mabelanne20 @madhu @mamamel @mamapants @MariaLands @Marspock @meforexample @Melayla @Melissa22320 @Melliemel1971 @mellisendis @metta2u @mettagirl @MidwesternCalmSeeker @Mindy @ministermichelle @MissPen@MistyMagic @Mla69 @mm2022 @modestOcean7984 @modestwatermelon2938 @moi2016 @mommabear0562 @MondoRalph @Mooboxer @moocher @morecake @Motherofcats1955 @MrKindness @MsVee2021 @MusicCandy @Musicman50 @musicwithbrass @mutter3 @myer @MysticSoul88 @navyAcai7149 @neatandtidy72 @neverendingtime23 @nippycat @No1Angel68 @nobodyimportantmn @Nogift @NormaAnne @Oddball76779 @oel @OffMyTrack @OliveCamp8456 @omez125 @OmWeAreOne @Open12 @OptimisticAcres4817 @optimisticRaspberries5247 @outofspace7 @PatienceImpatiens @PaytonGlover @Peace1221 @peaceandlove65 @peachy53 @PepperBunny @pgreen6840 @phantomsmilesphilosophicalacai7803 @PitbullMom9 @philosophicalAcres8914 @philosophicalKiwi4956 @pianocat @placidplum3193 @pluckystrings4696 @plumPapaya7147 @plumSkies6526 @politePear3867 @positiveriver9935 @potatoxcrispztrish @practicalbalsam @PracticalCat2637 @proactiveCup703 @Puddinpen @PurpledPeach @purplefan5510 @purplepansies8591 @purpletangerine87 @purpletree4652 @PurpleWater74 @pxidis @Qooo @quietbeach575 @quietFlower25 @quietlightning @quietSail6485 @quietStrawberries9260 @Ran3707 @RainbowRosie @rationalWater7635 @readytolisten7799 @RebelliousMirror @redOrange9587@redCococnut7440 @redPenny @Redpeppers @Redrhapsody @reliablemoon26 @reliablemoon6376 @repen13 @Resourceful2021 @rhoda @richyShiny39 @RideaRainbow @River416 @Roger57 @RogueOne1983 @Ross63 @roxymar @ruffneckred @Ruthanny1243 @sailinsunshine @SallyMoore @sallymander36 @samSympa3 @Sandidegeer @SarahKind @sb805 @ScarletLand3247 @ScarletPear1945 @SeaLady @Seasidelady61 @secretMap2091 @Sedtzl1 @seeker1898 @SeekerSher @seekinghappy55 @seniorlady @sensibleBunny2134 @sensiblePal7535 @Shycat542 @shycranberry2308 @sillyrabbit7 @sincereGrapefruit4682 @sincerelandsincereOak6832 @SKHK @Skyglider @Skyy0 @SleeplessVet @Smilintru67 @smokescrunch @sngrlittle @snugglyLight2001 @sonerii @soothingArrow47 @sophiaaiello @SoulfulCat22 @soulsings @spielmanjr @SpreadAloha @StartExploring @stayingsafe @SteampunkOkc @sthompso @StormyTimes @straightforwardKiwi7811 @stressBear @strugglingtocope99 @Sue1111 @Sue88 @sunnyplum5193 @SunnySpruce3523 @sunnyZebra2336 @Sunshine4691 @SunShineAlwaysGrateful @SusyKaploosy @SuzieQ1 @swammi01 @SweetSami @swim215 @swinston222 @swordpsalm @Tabbysflower @Tailormade1 @tanimaya @Tanq2u @Tawanda526 @tealCranberry7379 @tealDog6333 @tealPlace1858 @Teresa416 @terrig996 @TexasTabby @thecaringone @thoughtfulRaspberries8714 @ThreeFires @Tish1982 @tranquilheart @Treat @Trying5555 @turquoiseJar411 @twidget @twm @Tyedyedbutterfly @understandingSea8000 @Vadras @versatileHickory1709 @Vintagelung @VioletVeritas @Walker7957 @WarmWool @waterdragon81 @weatherphoto @WharfRat @Whisper292 @whisperingfairy7 @whispersrlonely @whitewingeddove1107 @Wicket51 @willow3836 @wittyNest2941 @WonnderWoman @Woodlandwalk42 @wordnerd @worstpossibleusername @WorkingitThrough2 @worthystruggle @WrenegadeWen @xe14 @xinero @xrosez @Yashoda108 @Yushix @youcancallmeLili @zaramerch @Zengrl

What do you include as your regular routine week days and on weekends?

There are certain days of the week I go to the community center for group meetings. I watch Jeopardy Monday through Friday. I check my email every day, as well as *** notifications. I get through that in a few minutes. I check YouTube for new videos that involve support for men in these male-bashing times, as well as videos about horror movies. I listen to music to relax before bed.

Do you reduce your daily routine or add to your routine when you are struggling to cope?

No, I think I stick more closely to it than usual when I'm struggling.

Does this routine help make you feel productive or more positive?

I am wasting too much time doing some of these things, so I'm not being as productive as I would like. I have to cut down on the nonessential YouTube stuff.

I would have more of a routine in my life if my chronic conditions allowed it. Due to my main one & my inability to have a circadian rhythm, my days are somewhat random. There are little rituals I try to do as consistently as possible, i.e. drinking water after I get up, making a cup of tea, & checking financial news (mostly the stock exchanges & metals prices).

What do you include as your regular routine week days and on weekends?

Regular weekday routines are basically set the same each day....Every work day for me is like "groundhog day", if you get the reference. I get up the same time, 3am, leave for work the same time, 3:45 am, eat breakfast at work the same time, 6am, and usually the same meal, because its easy to pack....I usually never eat lunch. I work out within 30 min after I get off work. After my workout I do whatever chores need to be done. By then it cook dinner, eat between 5 and 5:30 each day, clean the kitchen, watch one or two shows on television and in the shower and in bed by 8pm. Sounds like not a very exciting life but I enjoy living this way....this is what works for me, and my family knows and supports it. If I need to change something in my daily routine, I need at least an hours or two notice to make a different plan and get my mind wrapped around it..if I don't get that time to adjust my plan and way of thinking, I am all out of sorts.....I don't do last minute changes very well at all.

Weekends are a little different....not so regimented...I do have a plan of what I'm doing each day, prior to the weekend, and I usually I stick to it. The only thing that remains the same each weekend....I have "quiet coffee time" as soon as I wake up, then I hit the gym or go for a long (30 miles or more) bike ride because I have the time. After that its not so regimented. As long there are no "life emergencies", I get done whats on my planned list when I get it done.

Do you reduce your daily routine or add to your routine when you are struggling to cope?

When I am struggling to cope, my workday routine has to remain regimented in order for me to get by...I find forcing myself to do things when I'm in a bad spot mentally/emotionally only makes me worse so once I am out of work, I tend to let my afternoons go to the wayside because all I want to do is either nap, or sit and wallow in my thoughts and feelings.....I know this isn't good for me, but its what works for me....

Does this routine help make you feel productive or more positive?

My routines do help me feel productive and accomplished, and when I am productive, I feel positive.

I don't know how to restore my daily routine. I sleep all day and I wake up at the afternoon, I am diabetic so I have to get regular meals at specific times, but during a day system like that it's impossible, I used to read regularly, but know I can't do it, I have to work on my MA thesis, but I haven't written anything after the proposal. I don't know what to do.

What do you include as your regular routine week days and on weekends?

I have a pretty regular schedule. Get up at the same time, go to work, have the same meetings each week, make dinner at the same time, go to bed at the same time.

Do you reduce your daily routine or add to your routine when you are struggling to cope?

The more I stick with my routine when I'm struggling, the better off I am.

Does this routine help make you feel productive or more positive?

I thrive on routine. It's comforting. I guess many people would say that it's boring. :) But routine helps me focus. It allows me to relax a little because I know what to expect in my day. And because I suffer from anxiety, a routine is a great thing to help ease that. The more I know what's going on, the calmer I am. I honestly don't know what I'd do if I didn't give myself a routine or schedule. I'd most likely be struggling and wouldn't be able to function well.