When routine is not enough?
From the book – Chapter 16: Daily Mental-Wellbeing Routine
When routine is not enough
A healthy routine is powerful but not a cure-all. Seek professional help if symptoms of depression, anxiety, trauma, psychosis, or substance use persist or worsen despite good habits; daily functioning is significantly impaired; there are thoughts of self-harm or suicide; family or friends express serious concern.
Routine works best alongside therapy, medicines when needed, and social support.
Read the full chapter – Chapter 16: Daily Mental-Wellbeing Routine
Stories from real life
- The Timetable on the Fridge – Ananya, 16, in Chennai, is in Class 11. Her day is a blur of school, tuition and phone. She wakes late, skips breakfast, studies until midnight…
- Night Shift, New Baby – Rahul, 33, works night shifts at a call centre in Gurugram. His wife Pooja works days and they have a four-month-old baby. Rahul sleeps in fragments,…
- The Pension Day Routine – Mr Iyer, 70, retired from a bank in Coimbatore, lost his routine when work ended. He wakes at odd hours, watches television most of the day,…
- Raj, Age 31 – Raj worked in the demanding world of IT, where long hours and late-night coding sessions were worn like a badge of honour. His daily rhythm was…
Shloks
- Patanjali Yoga Sutra 1.12 – That stilling of the mind comes through practice and non-clinging.
More on this topic: Sleep problems, food and daily routine for a healthy mind
More questions
- Which is part of a healthy daily routine for mental wellbeing?
- What is true: mindfulness and meditation practices help with…?
- What is true: social connection and relationships are important because…?
- What is true: A healthy morning routine might include…?
- What is true: work-life balance is important for…?
- What does Patanjali Yoga Sutra 1.12 mean for the mind? (Chapter 16)
- The Timetable on the Fridge – what this story teaches, the signs and what to do
- Night Shift, New Baby – what this story teaches, the signs and what to do
- The Pension Day Routine – what this story teaches, the signs and what to do
- What can we learn from the story “Raj, Age 31”?
- How to sleep better – habits that help
- Food, mood and emotional eating