The Importance of a Daily Wellness Routine to Support Our Emotional Well-Being

We all know this deep down: having a daily wellness routine is essential to support our emotional well-being. Yet, for so many reasons, we don’t stick to it. Maybe we feel like we don’t have the time, or perhaps things are going well, and we assume we don’t need it anymore. But inevitably, life throws us a curveball—a tough day, a challenging moment—and we’re reminded of how valuable that daily practice really is, even when we’re feeling okay.

Here’s how I explain it to my clients:

Think of it like preparing for a concert on the piano. You wouldn’t just show up on stage and expect to play beautifully without regular practice—it would be terrifying! But it’s not just about practicing a lot; it’s about consistency. Practicing for five minutes every day is far more effective than cramming 35 minutes into one weekly session.

The same is true for emotional well-being. A small, consistent practice every day prepares us to navigate life’s ups and downs with greater ease. Even just one minute a day can help us stay grounded and resilient when challenges arise.

Life Happens

Life is what it is—unpredictable, full of highs and lows. Until we can see life as simply unfolding events, without labeling them as “good” or “bad,” we’ll continue to react to its ebbs and flows. But with a daily practice, we’re better equipped to meet these moments with calm and clarity.

I like to visualize this process as a “reset line.” Imagine a horizontal line representing a state of emotional calm. As life happens, our emotions pile up, moving upward. Without a reset, that upward line keeps climbing. But when we pause—whether through mindfulness, movement, or any daily practice—it’s like hitting the reset button. That horizontal line stabilizes, preventing the overwhelm from spiraling further.

You can actively reset by simply doing a mindful breathing exercise, a mindful walk, or simple stretching. These small actions can help bring you back to a place of emotional calm.

Of course, learning to regulate your emotions takes time and practice (psst… that’s my specialty, in case you’re wondering! 😉), but a daily routine is a fantastic starting point.

The Science Behind Daily Wellness Routine and Emotional Well-Being

Incorporating daily calming activities like daily nature connection and mindfulness into your routine isn’t just about feeling good in the moment—it’s grounded in science. Here’s how these practices help support emotional well-being:

Nature Connection Reduces Stress Hormones

Research shows that spending just 20 minutes in a natural environment significantly reduces cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone. A study highlighted by Harvard Health found that a “nature pill” of simply sitting or walking in a natural setting—without other distractions—can lower stress levels effectively. Importantly, participants experienced these benefits without needing strenuous exercise; the act of being in nature itself is what mattered most​.

Sources:

Mindfulness and Emotional Regulation

Mindfulness-based routines, like meditation or mindful movement, have been shown to help regulate emotions by enhancing self-awareness and reducing reactivity to stress. According to recent findings summarized by ScienceDaily, mindfulness routines can significantly improve emotional balance by changing brain activity in areas linked to emotional regulation, such as the amygdala. These changes help individuals respond to life’s challenges with greater calm and clarity​.

Sources:

Together, these studies highlight the profound impact of small, consistent practices—like a mindful nature walk or a few minutes of meditation—on emotional resilience and well-being. Whether it’s the soothing green of trees or the grounding stillness of mindfulness, these moments of calm are more than luxuries; they’re essential tools for emotional health.

My Journey With Routine

For me, starting small was key. I stopped meditating a few years ago because it felt forced, like homework or a task I had to prove to myself or others. After stepping back and reflecting on those patterns, I returned on my own terms, starting with just five minutes of mindful movement each morning. Over time, I added more—five minutes of yoga, then five minutes of sitting meditation. Today, my practice is flexible: some mornings, I do 30 minutes of movement, stretching, and mindfulness. Other days, it’s just five minutes. And if I miss one day, that’s ok too.

Recently, I spoke with someone who realized that her daily yoga practice made a huge difference in how she faced challenges at home. When she skipped just a day or two, she noticed everything felt harder. The lesson here isn’t to be perfect or rigid in your routine—it’s to develop awareness. When we skip our practices, life might feel a little more overwhelming. And with that awareness, we can take small steps to make our routines a priority again. 

Here is a poem that reflects on how something steady—like a daily routine or grounding practice—can guide us through life’s unpredictability.

The Way It Is

By William Stafford

There’s a thread you follow. It goes among
things that change. But it doesn’t change.
[…]

While you hold it you can’t get lost.
Tragedies happen; people get hurt
or die: and you suffer and get old.
Nothing you do can stop time’s unfolding.
You don’t ever let go of the thread.

Stories From the Everyday

Some of us aren’t doing any kind of daily routine. And that’s okay. Life is busy, full, and often overwhelming. It’s hard to take time for ourselves when we haven’t yet experienced the benefits or even had the idea to start.

One of my friends said, “I just don’t have the time. My mornings are chaos with the kids, and by the time I sit down, I’m too tired to do anything for myself.” Another shared, “I didn’t even realize I needed something like this. I’m always running from one thing to the next.”

I see this so often. Many people haven’t realized the importance of a daily reset yet, and that’s okay. There’s only so much we can do and be aware of at any given time. My hope is that this article might plant a seed for you if you feel almost ready to give it a try.

Hearing these stories reminds me how unique everyone’s journey is. So:

What Could Your Practice Look Like?

Your daily routine doesn’t have to be elaborate. It could be as simple as:

• A five-minute walk outside.
• A short yoga sun salutation.
• Closing your eyes for a quiet moment.
• Enjoying a cup of tea, fully present, and looking out the window.

To make it easier, tie this practice to an existing habit, like your morning routine, lunch break, or bedtime. Start small as you see fit—just one minute is all it takes to start. Once it feels natural, you can gradually add more time.

Ask yourself, before and after your practice: How do I feel right now? Do you notice your shoulders relaxing? Are you yawning or breathing more deeply? These signs show your practice is helping you reset and support your emotional well-being.

Overcoming Resistance

If you’re hesitating to start, that’s okay.

Resistance can be a signal that we’re not fully ready, or we may just need more clarity on how to begin. For example, some people might find a practice initially feels forced or inauthentic, but stepping back and returning on their own terms can create a better fit. Starting small, like with five minutes of mindful movement, often builds momentum and authenticity over time.

If you’re curious about building your own emotional practice or learning to regulate your emotions, check out my mindfulness program. It’s designed for anyone feeling overwhelmed and ready to take small steps toward well-being.

A Metaphor: Emotional Housekeeping

Building a daily emotional practice is like keeping a tidy house. When you first move in (or face unresolved emotions), there’s a lot of cleaning to do. But once it’s in order, daily tidying prevents things from piling up. It’s easier to clean a little every day than to face a massive mess at the end of the week.
Just like tidying up a house regularly keeps things in order, small daily practices can help you stay emotionally grounded. Of course, if you’ve experienced trauma, emotional ‘housekeeping’ may involve deeper work—something we can explore together in future posts.

A visual explanation

Here is my visual idea of the whole concept behind why it’s important to create a daily wellness routine to support our emotional being:

Reflective Questions

If you’re ready to create your own daily routine, here are some questions to guide you:

• How important is it for you to start a daily routine?
• What benefits do you hope to gain?
• How will you know you’ve started a solid daily routine?
• What (small) practices resonate with you?
• What’s the first, most doable step you can take to begin?

Remember, your daily routine is your thread, your reset, your daily tidying —a small but vital way to show up for yourself each day. Keep holding onto it.

Take care,

Laure