Between work, home duties, childcare and socialising, the daily juggle can make prioritising your health a little tricky. A great way to help create that important healthy daily routine is to break those larger self-care ‘to-dos’ into smaller, more achievable tasks. 

When it comes to focusing on your health, there’s no time like the present. Here’s how you can incorporate heath-focused rituals into your daily routine, even with a busy schedule.

What are healthy habits?

A habit is an action or task that you repeat regularly, often without thinking about it¹. Some habits work to your benefit, like practicing mindfulness or getting in your daily exercise. Other habits can have a less positive effect on your health and wellbeing, like smoking, eating junk food or scrolling on your phone before bed.  

Building healthy routines starts with enjoyable habits that support your wellness journey. For instance, if you want to exercise more, you might prefer to ditch the typical gym for something more fun—like dance classes. That way, you’re more likely to stick to your fitness habits as they become part of your routine. It’s about making your interests work best for you.

Some examples of good daily habits

So what are some healthy habits you can start to create a more health-focused daily routine? There’s no need to completely overhaul your current schedule. Instead, introducing small, simple habits that only take a few minutes can have a huge impact on your overall health and wellbeing². 

From boosting your mental wellbeing to supporting your physical health, here are some habits to support your journey to better health.

Good habits to improve mental health

Healthy daily habits can help alleviate stress, lower cortisol levels and boost mental clarity. Here are a few good habits examples that you might like to include in your routine to support your mental health:

• Meditation and breathing exercises,
• Exercising and stretching,
• Mindful eating, and
• Getting a good night’s sleep³.

Best daily habits for physical wellbeing

Besides supporting your emotional wellbeing, healthy daily habits are a great way to maintain your physical health too. From strengthening your immune system, boosting your energy and lowering your risk of disease⁴, here are some simple strategies for improving your physical health:

• Increasing your daily physical movement,
• Maintaining a healthy weight,
• Eating a balanced diet, and
• Staying hydrated⁴.

An example of a healthy daily routine

When it comes to creating the best daily routine for a healthy life, the key is to start by making small changes that are easy to implement and follow. Let’s take a look at some simple changes you can make to your morning and evening routine to help create a healthier daily schedule.

Daily morning routine for wellness

Health-focused daily routines start with some solid morning habits to set you up for the day. With a good morning routine, you’re more likely to feel happier and more energised throughout the day⁵.

Here are a few tips to help you start your morning on the right foot:

• Rise with your alarm, setting it early enough to allow plenty of time to get ready⁶,
• Start the day with meditation or exercise⁶,
• Make your bed and brush your teeth—these small wins set a positive tone for the day, and
• Enjoy a balanced breakfast with protein, fats and carbs. You can even prep it the night before if you're short on time⁵. 

Daily evening routine for wellness

Your end-of-day routine plays a key role in helping you wind down and settle into a restful sleep. Here are a few habits you might want to include in your evening routine:

• Go to bed at the same time each night to ensure you get enough sleep each day⁷,
• Swap the electronics for a book before bed⁸,
• Calm your mind with meditation or some gentle stretches⁷, and
• Transform your room into a comfortable sleep sanctuary by ensuring it’s cool, dark and quiet⁸.

Where do vitamins fit into your daily routine?

Supporting your wellbeing with healthy daily habits is one thing, but it’s important to ensure you’re supporting your physical health by consuming a healthy, balanced diet. If you are finding it difficult to get your recommended intake of nutrients through diet alone, you may want to consider adding supplements, such as a multivitamin, into your daily routine. While it can be easy to forget to take your vitamins if it’s a new habit, setting a reminder or alarm on your phone can help you stay on top of it until it becomes a normal part of your day. 

What vitamins are needed daily?

There are a number of vitamins and minerals that your body needs each day to support optimal function, including:

• Vitamin A,
• Vitamin C,
• Vitamin D,
• Vitamin E,
• Vitamin K, and
• B vitamins, like ​​Vitamin B12 and B6⁹.

Each has its own benefits to help support your body’s functions and processes, so it’s important to ensure you’re getting the right amount for your individual needs. If you’re not sure, speak to your GP or health practitioner for advice.

What is a good vitamin schedule?

Some vitamins and supplements are better taken as part of your morning routine with food¹⁰, whereas others should be taken at night depending on their ingredients and how they fit into your wellness needs¹¹. Most vitamins will list the directions for use on the label, so it’s important to follow the instructions along with any recommendations from your general health practitioner.  

Ultimately, the key to incorporating vitamins into your daily routine is to be consistent! This is where setting those reminders or alarms may help you form this daily habit.

Making positive new habits can be tricky, especially when motivation is lacking or life gets in the way. But it’s worth prioritising for the benefits of your health and wellbeing. 

For more info, check out our blog on how to make your daily multivitamin a ritual for tips on incorporating vitamins into your regular routine, or take a look at our Ingredient Glossary.

Always read the label and follow directions for use. 

References:

1. Creating healthy habits (2023) healthdirect. Available at: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/creating-healthy-habits (Accessed: 06 January 2025). 
2. Solan, M. (2024) 10 habits for good health, Harvard Health. Available at: https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/10-habits-for-good-health (Accessed: 06 January 2025). 
3. Emotional wellness toolkit (2022) National Institutes of Health. Available at: https://www.nih.gov/health-information/emotional-wellness-toolkit (Accessed: 06 January 2025). 
4. National Institutes of Health. Physical Wellness Toolkit [Internet]. National Institutes of Health (NIH). 2023. Available from: https://www.nih.gov/health-information/physical-wellness-toolkit 
5. How to establish a wake-up routine for a good morning every morning (2023) www.heart.org. Available at: https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-lifestyle/sleep/how-to-establish-a-wakeup-routine-for-a-good-morning-every-morning (Accessed: 06 January 2025). 
6. Starkman, E. (2024) Tips for a healthy morning routine, WebMD. Edited by J. Begum. Available at: https://www.webmd.com/balance/ss/morning-hacks-ease-stress (Accessed: 06 January 2025). 
7. Sleep Hygiene: 7 Tips for a Better Bedtime Routine (2023) Cleveland Clinic. Available at: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/sleep-hygiene (Accessed: 06 January 2025).
8. Pacheco, D. (2023) Bedtime routines for adults, Sleep Foundation. Edited by D. Rosen. Available at: https://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-hygiene/bedtime-routine-for-adults (Accessed: 06 January 2025).
9. Vitamins and minerals (2024) healthdirect. Available at: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/vitamins-and-minerals (Accessed: 06 January 2025). 
10. Davis, J. (2024) Best ways to take different vitamins, WebMD. Edited by P. Sachdev. Available at: https://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/ss/slideshow-best-ways-to-take-different-vitamins (Accessed: 06 January 2025). 
11. Kubala, J. (2021) When is the best time to take vitamins?, Healthline. Edited by L. Hodgson. Available at: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/best-time-to-take-vitamins (Accessed: 06 January 2025).