(Family Features) With time away from work and school – not to mention indulgent feasts and social commitments – it’s easy to let good habits go by the wayside around the turn of the new year. Whether you’re resolving to get back to a regular routine or starting one anew in 2026, now is a perfect time to rethink your day-to-day for heightened productivity and less stress.
Commit to a new year of new routines with this step-by-step guidance.
Establish Bed and Wake Routines
When routines begin to fade, sleep is often one of the first areas of health that can slip. It’s also one of the simplest bad habits to shake. Hold yourself accountable by preparing for sleep at the same time each night with an easy-to-follow routine – like brushing your teeth, drinking a glass of water and changing into pajamas – that signals to your body it’s time to rest. Waking up at the same time each day, even on the weekends, can help you dial in on a more natural sleep and wake rhythm.
Organize and Declutter
If a messy home is what’s keeping you awake at night, try putting a weekly or biweekly “cleaning day” on the calendar and ask family members to do their part. Start in shared spaces like the kitchen, bathrooms and living areas then divide and conquer bedrooms, prioritizing throwing away (or recycling) items that aren’t used frequently while reorganizing chaotic spaces for peace of mind.
Plan Meals and Snacks
The hectic nature of life, especially busy weeknights, is inescapable. Whether you’re wrapping up late work meetings, running kids to activities, tackling homework or juggling errands, turning to a tasty, convenient air fryer snack like Mrs. T’s Snack Pierogies can hold the family over before mealtime. All you need is an air fryer and 8 minutes to enjoy big and bold, on-trend flavors including Cheddar Sour Cream and Onion, 5 Cheese or Cheddar Ranch Seasoned with Bacon. Easy for teens to prep on their own and ideal for busy moms, they’re a perfect bite to whip up while getting back into the swing of things in 2026.
Update Family Calendars
Keeping up with a schedule full of field trips, sporting events, work meetings, social commitments and weekend activities can be a chore, but turning to technology makes it more manageable. Choose a family calendar app that can be downloaded to your devices and log all of your upcoming events so everyone stays in the know.
Review Screentime Habits
While tech can encourage better organization and planning, it can also encroach on special moments together. After a break from school and work, you might’ve noticed more screentime around the house – making this an ideal time to return to screentime limits or, at the least, mindfulness of how often you and your loved ones are in front of a TV, computer or mobile device. Encourage kids to put down the tablets and instead opt for family game nights or craft sessions, putting your creativity to the test while reconnecting offline.
Plan for Downtime
Reshaping day-to-day schedules, reviewing routines and preparing for a strong start to 2026 doesn’t mean fun is out the window. You can meet your goals and set your family up for success with, like always, a little planning. While building out your calendar with mandatory meetings and obligations, make sure to prioritize downtime, too. Schedule family game nights, dinners at home when everyone is available or a weekend trip to a favorite nearby attraction. Remember what matters most in the hustle and bustle: shared moments with your nearest and dearest.
Learn more and find quick, easy snacking solutions as you dive into 2026 at mrstspierogies.com/snackpierogies.
