Every day at 7:30 a.m., Consuelo Walss-Bass, PhD, has breakfast with her sister, Tati, 50, of Houston. On Sundays, the two attend church together; on Mondays, they meet up to eat ice cream; and on Saturdays, they get together to draw. For Tati, this weekly routine is especially important.
Tati has schizophrenia, and like many people with the condition, she’s happier and less stressed when she has a consistent routine.
Having social support built into your routines can be particularly beneficial, especially on days where you may only feel like sleeping or staying indoors all day. “One of the side effects of certain medications for schizophrenia is apathy, so you need people who can encourage you to do things,” says Dr. Walss-Bass, who is a professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth in Houston.
Here are a few ways to create a consistent, daily routine.
1. Wake Up at the Same Time Each Morning
If it’s hard to get out of bed, schedule a regular breakfast date with a loved one — even if you’re just meeting them in your kitchen.
2. Go Grocery Shopping at the Same Time and Day Each Week
Instead of ordering food online or waiting until you’re out of bread to run to the store, make grocery shopping a regular weekly or biweekly occurrence. Sticking to a regular schedule means you may see some familiar faces working or shopping there, which can help you feel less stressed.
“My sister sees the same people at the grocery store we go to, and some of them know her and say hello to her,” says Walss-Bass. “She likes having those interactions.”
3. Find a Hobby You Enjoy
4. Go for a Walk
Exercising regularly can also help you stay at a healthy weight — an important benefit, because some medications for schizophrenia can cause weight gain, says Walss-Bass.
5. Schedule Some Downtime
Whether you like to play games or watch movies, it’s important to find time to unwind. Tati, for example, likes watching Netflix (she avoids the news, which can be too stressful). Whatever it is you enjoy, pencil it into your calendar as designated “you time.”
6. Call a Friend or Family Member
“It doesn’t have to be a long conversation, but that doesn’t mean it’s not meaningful,” says Walss-Bass.
No matter how you create a consistent routine, don’t be afraid to ask a loved one for support, whether it’s a ride to the library or a standing breakfast date.
Know, too, that establishing a daily routine doesn’t happen overnight. It’s something that can take months or even years to build. “It takes patience, but there can be a point where you can have a stable, happy life,” says Walss-Bass.
The Takeaway
- Maintaining a consistent routine throughout the day can help keep stress levels low, which may help prevent a flare-up of schizophrenia symptoms.
- Find things you love to do, whether it’s going for walks, visiting the library, or watching movies, and pencil them into your schedule.
- Ask a loved one to accompany you on some of your routine activities. It may make you more likely to stick to your schedule, and you’ll enjoy some social connection, too.
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