Daily routine affects pain and mood

The study involved a group of 67 older adults, 37 of whom had sleep problems. The survey data was analyzed, and a clear pattern was identified: people with insomnia reported more severe pain and depression on average. However, those who maintained a consistent daily routine, regardless of their sleep quality, reported less intense pain and depression.

The researchers believe that a regular schedule has a key impact on circadian rhythms, the body’s internal 24-hour biological clock that regulates sleep, mood, and many other physiological processes. Having clear time boundaries, such as when a person wakes up, eats, works, studies, socializes, and goes to sleep, helps to synchronize these rhythms.

Even small deviations from a person’s usual schedule can disrupt their internal clock, a phenomenon often referred to as “social jetlag.” It is especially typical in a situation where people go to bed and get up at different times on weekdays and weekends. Maintaining the same routine throughout the week helps minimize such disruptions.

It is important that the positive effect was observed regardless of the actual quality of sleep, and a stable routine was associated with better health indicators. According to the researcher, issues of health and well—being should be considered comprehensively ‑ from the perspective of a 24-hour cycle, and not just during waking hours. After all, a person spends a third of their life sleeping, and this fact should be taken into account when assessing the overall condition of the body.

Therefore, a simple and accessible habit of maintaining a regular daily routine can be an effective tool for supporting physical and mental health, especially in adulthood.