Written by John Immel, Asheville, NCRoutine is the foundation of a well-lived life. Routine creates simplicity, perspective, and helps you stay organized. Lack of routine creates instability, confusion, and an inability to identify the cause from the effect. A good routine supports your ability to plan meals ahead of time and eat the right foods. On the other hand, people who have a poor routine tend to skip meals and soon become ravenous, reaching for any available snack or junk foods. People who have a poor routine often suffer from anxiety and financial instability as well.

Routine & Digestion

The system of the body most affected by poor routine is digestion. I had a client with a catastrophic digestive disorder. She really wanted to go to the Burning Man festival in the Nevada desert. After strongly suggesting she skip the festival to take care of her body, I finally relented and offered her several tips to stay healthy while traveling.

In our next session two weeks later she explained how great she felt during the entire trip. However, she explained, on the way home they had missed lunch and ate junk food instead. The next morning her tooth was infected, and after several days she lost the tooth. The trouble with a poor routine is that it sneaks up on you when you least expect it. Road trips are especially hard on your body.

Mind vs. Body

Many modern people find routine boring and restrictive. Boredom itself is usually a sign that your mind has hijacked the rest of your body. People who live out of their minds naturally crave unlimited choices and opportunity. The mind loves freedom however much it destabilizes the body. Your body loves stability and craves routine, even when your mind doesn't.

Routine & Your Blood

Your body rations blood according to the daily biorhythms of nature. For example, your body gives blood and attention to the stomach at breakfast time, lunch time, and dinner time. If you eat your meals outside of these times your digestion may suffer, as your body's rhythms are off-sync with your choices. It may be like a dance that's not quite working. Like it or not, your body has the last word. You have to understand the routine of your body to synchronize with it.

The Foundation of a Good Routine: Meals & Bedtime

The cardinal features of a good routine are meals and bedtimes. If you eat your meals on time and go to bed on time, you'll have a happy body even if the rest of your day leans towards topsy-turvy. The best time for meals are as follows: breakfast at 8:00 a.m., lunch at 12:30 p.m., and dinner at 5:30 p.m. You can set your routine an hour earlier or later than these times, however, you must stick to your chosen routine.

You should be in bed by 10:00 p.m. and leave bed by 7:00 a.m. Some people stay awake past 10:00 p.m. and get a second wind. However, the second wind is actually borrowed energy that your body needs to cleanse the organs. If the eyes are open, your mind will steal the second wind and you will lose an entire day of organ restoration. Over time, this leads to deteriorated health. Going to bed early is a simple way to add years and vitality to your life.

Avoid Moving More than Once Every 10 Years

• It takes one year to adapt to the bacteria in your micro-climate.
• It takes three years for your body to figure out a new grocery store.
• It takes twelve years to develop a community support system.
• It takes three generations to adapt to a new culture.
• It takes seven generations to adapt to a new climate.

Other Tips for a Good Routine

• Massage your digestive tract before getting out of bed.
• Drink a glass of water when you wake up.
• Stretch for ten minutes every morning. Cat/cow is the universal yoga pose because it relaxes the spine, refreshes circulation of the pelvis, and engages the breath.
• Avoid reading, watching the television, and bright lighting after 9:00 p.m.

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