The Soft Routine That’s Been Helping My Mental Health Lately

Let me be honest: I used to think routines had to be strict to “work.” If I didn’t follow a full to-do list by 9 a.m., I felt like I was already failing. That mindset only made my mental health worse. What actually helped? A soft routine.

A soft routine isn’t about productivity-it’s about presence. It’s been a game-changer for my anxiety, burnout, and overall mood. Here’s what mine looks like:

I don’t force myself to wake up at 5 a.m. anymore. Instead, I aim for consistency over intensity. I start my mornings with:

• No phone for the first 15 minutes
• Stretching or light movement, even if it’s just rolling my shoulders
• A glass of water before coffee
• Journaling or just sitting in silence to set the tone for the day

This gives my nervous system time to adjust before diving into the world.

I used to feel guilty for taking breaks-but now I know breaks are the work when you’re healing. Around lunchtime or early afternoon, I build in space to:

• Step outside (even if it’s just standing in the sun for 3 minutes)
• Listen to a comforting podcast or playlist
• Eat something nourishing without multitasking
• Do a “mood reset” if I feel off-this can be cleaning up my space or reapplying perfume just to feel human again

These pauses help me feel less trapped in stress and more like I’m moving with life, not against it.

Nights used to be when my overthinking hit the hardest. Now I have added soft cues to tell my brain it’s time to rest:

• Dimming the lights around 7-8 p.m.
• Putting my phone across the room (out of sight, out of scroll)
• Doing something offline before bed: skincare, reading, a puzzle, or brain-dumping my thoughts into a journal/notebook
• Reminding myself I did enough today

No pressure to be perfect. Just presence.

Honestly, the biggest part of this routine isn’t what I do-it’s how I speak to myself. I’ve replaced “I should be doing more” with:

• “It’s okay to rest.”
• “You’re allowed to move slow.”
  “You’re doing better than you think.”

This shift has helped me stop spiraling and start healing.

A soft routine won’t fix everything, but it creates a rhythm that supports healing instead of fighting it. If you’ve been burnt out, overstimulated, or just tired of trying to force yourself into hustle-mode… try going soft.

Because sometimes, gentleness is the most powerful thing you can offer yourself.

If you would like to see more, check out my previous post here!

Check out my Morning Routine Must-Haves from Amazon!