Start the new year off right by creating a morning routine for your family.

Mornings can be hard on parents and kids. No one wants to wake up on time. Everyone is rushing around to get out the door. But what if you had a morning routine for your family? Think of all of the benefits!

1. New Year, New Routine

New Year’s is about making new resolutions that will benefit you, so why not resolve to have a morning routine to help keep your family organized and on track? A morning routine can help build healthy habits, and can also keep you and your family organized and on track. Along with providing structure, a morning routine can help keep you calm, as you know what you need to be doing at a certain time. The structure of a morning routine is what many people find beneficial, and some studies suggest that having a morning routine can not only help with anxiety and time management, but can also set you up for a great day!

2. Better With Blocking

Some people find the easiest way to structure a routine is to have activities or events blocked out. This can allow you to stay on track and know what is next on your agenda. For instance, you might wake the kids up at 6:30 a.m., followed by breakfast at 6:45 a.m., teeth brushing at 7:05 a.m., getting dressed at 7:15 a.m., and out the door by 7:45 a.m.

Time blocking, or time chucking, is a method many people use to keep themselves organized. Studies say that only around 2.5% of people are able to multitask efficiently, and switching between multiple tasks quickly has also proven to be inefficient. Take the time to build a block of time for every activity or task you have for each day, and prioritize the items on your list. It can help to write everything down, with estimated times to complete all your tasks. For your work tasks, add each of them to your calendar in their specified times so you know what you should be doing and at what time.

Now you can start to follow your daily plan and see how much more efficient you can be with your time.

3. Don’t Be Afraid of Change

Let’s face it—change is hard. If the thought of creating a morning routine from scratch is daunting, start by scheduling a few items at a time, like exercising before 7 a.m. and having breakfast by 7:30 a.m. Once you feel comfortable with the routine of those tasks, try adding in more tasks. As time goes on, the tasks will feel like second nature.

However, if something isn’t working for you, change it! Maybe there isn’t enough time for exercising before breakfast, and you have more free time at night. Don’t be afraid to move your tasks and adjust when you want to complete them. Having a routine isn’t about being forced to do things at a certain time—it is about being efficient with your time to ensure you get everything completed that you’ve set out to do on a particular day.

4. Build in Time for Dental Hygiene

Good dental hygiene is very important and you should always take the time to brush your teeth. The American Dental Association recommends everyone brush their teeth at least twice a day for a minimum of two minutes each time. Make sure you are using the proper toothbrush for your mouth shape and size, and the ADA recommends using a toothbrush with soft bristles. Your toothpaste should also have the ADA seal and have fluoride as one of its ingredients because fluoride helps keep the enamel of your teeth strong.

Don’t forget to leave time for flossing! Plan to spend a good 10 to 15 minutes on your dental hygiene routine twice a day.

Make dental visits part of your routine.

Your dental health is very important, which is why Dr. Staley and his team want to see you and your family at least twice a year! Dental evaluations can help prevent cavities and other, more problematic oral health issues. Prevention is key! If you haven’t stopped by our office in a while, give us a call today to schedule your biannual checkup. Dr. Staley and his team love to see your healthy and glowing smile!