Holidays are great. We travel, spend time with family, eat and drink a little too much and have time off from work. Getting back into a regular routine after the holidays can be difficult. We also try to add in some hopeful new goals in an attempt to become the best version of ourselves. This could include a focus on better health, advancing our career or spending more time with the people we love. Yet these infamous New Year’s resolutions sometimes may not last past February.

At EXPHYS we understand and promote the power of routine. Our Exercise Physiologists assist our clients with developing a schedule and setting realistic goals to regain daily structure. We help to regain purpose, while remaining flexible and adaptable and being realistic about today’s demands.

Why is Routine so Important?

A consistent, goal-orientated routine gives you the power to achieve what you want in life. A proper routine increases your efficiency, improves mental health, allows time to relax, creates healthy sleep patterns and most importantly, gives us purposeⁱ. Whilst some people may dread returning to work after holidays, work is one avenue that provides valuable structure and routine. At EXPHYS we recognise the value that good work provides. But it doesn’t always mean paid employment. Work can simply mean something that adds value, structure and purpose to our lives. It’s a reason to get out of bed in the morning!

The Health Benefits of Good Work

The Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP), and the Australasian Faculty of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (AFOEM) have made a connection between health and good work. Their recently released Consensus Statement demonstrates good work is a key determinant of health and wellbeing of employeesⁱⁱ. It simply states that work improves the sense of making a contribution to your family and to society. It gives structure to days and weeks and provides financial security along with social inclusion. Work, in general, is good for our health and wellbeing.

An absence from work on the other hand, either due to injury or unemployment, has many negative effects. It can lead to a loss of confidence, low self-esteem and a lack of identity within the community. This can lead to reduced social participation and a loss of fulfilment and purpose, impacting physical and mental healthⁱⁱⁱ.

EXPHYS are supporters of good work and an initial signatory to the Consensus Statement. As a signatory we acknowledge that good work can play a central role in contributing to people’s health and wellbeing.

How do we build structure and routine?

We know that creating daily routine is essential, but implementing a new routine can be a challenge.

Our top 3 tips to setting a healthy routine:

1. Develop a schedule. Write down a daily schedule or plan of tasks you wish to achieve each day. Follow this plan to the best of your ability.
2. Goal setting. Set SMART goals; ensure they are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-based. Then set small steps each day to achieve your goals. Remember that a goal without a plan is just a wish.
3. Be disciplined. Don’t get down on yourself if life throws up the odd hurdle that gets in the way. Recognise what has happened, and then gently but swiftly get yourself back on track.

The EXPHYS Work Spectrum

EXPHYS Exercise Physiologists assist our clients with developing a schedule and setting realistic goals to regain daily structure. We help to regain purpose, while remaining flexible and adaptable and being realistic about today’s demands.

The diagram below summarises our purpose to improve client function in the EXPHYS program. Then transfer this into improved work readiness, capacity and performance. Progressing them along the EXPHYS Work Spectrum and back into a stable, structured environment.