Guess what: I found an interesting article about the importance of daily structure/individual schedules for keeping the Mental Disorder away from blooming, but instead be helped to live a so comfortable life as possible.

Here is the article:
https://blogs.psychcentral.com/imper...mental-health/

I hope people are willing to discuss it or to contribute with their own experiences with trying to keep the disorder away by using daily structures.

Originally Posted by Singer47

Here is the article:
https://blogs.psychcentral.com/imper...mental-health/

I hope people are willing to discuss it or to contribute with their own experiences with trying to keep the disorder away by using daily structures.

I hope I'm not misunderstood! As far as I have understood it, routines do not take the disorder away, but can be a help in stopping a set-back. My understanding of the topic "routines" or "structure" is like this. Example: If one has been able to build a morning-routine even if that was difficult. That routine becomes a habit and one does not have to think about it. It becomes automatic. On the other hand if there one day pups up an extraordinary trigger, one will feel bad the next morning and perhaps want to stay in bed. It is in that moment one has to cling to one's routine to prevent a setback. To stick to the morning-routine keeps one going even if one feels like crap.

The same goes for other routines like eating regular meals, physical exercise, doing relaxation exercises, go to the grocery, do the dishes and so on.

I have understood the "routine" question this way: If one are able to follow one's daily routines in a time when life becomes difficult one can hopefully prevent a full setback of the disorder and after some days, perhaps weeks in some cases, be back on track.

That's why I posted the link I found. May be we can call such routines for coping mechanisms?

[RubyRae]

I'm a creature of habit,I thrive and survive on routine.It does make a huge difference in my wellbeing.The bad thing about it though is the days I can't stick to my normal routines,it really throws me into a tailspin.

[BrowseAfterMidnight]

Originally Posted by RubyRae

I'm a creature of habit,I thrive and survive on routine.It does make a huge difference in my wellbeing.The bad thing about it though is the days I can't stick to my normal routines,it really throws me into a tailspin.

I don't follow a good routine precisely for the reason that I don't want to be thrown off track when I can't follow it. Unexpected situations arise in life, disorder or no. Although I have been considering changing my ways a bit...

[Sunflower123]

I think some structure and routine would help me manage my illness better. The only thing I need to watch out for is my tendency to all or nothing thinking. Best wishes.