Enjoyable routines and everyday wellbeing: IELTS Speaking Part 3 questions and answers

I think a fixed routine gives people a sense of control, especially when other parts of life feel unpredictable. If you know exactly when you'll eat, exercise and sleep, you don't waste energy making the same small decisions every day. My father, for example, has followed the same morning schedule for decades, and he says it keeps him calm. Routines can also make good habits easier, because once something is automatic, it no longer depends on willpower.

Yes, they certainly can, particularly if they are imposed rather than chosen. Doing exactly the same thing at the same time every day can make the weeks blur together. However, I think the solution is to vary the details rather than abandon the routine altogether. Someone who walks every morning could simply change the route now and then. That way they keep the benefits of regularity while still adding a little novelty to their day.

In my view, the biggest change is that the line between work and home life has become blurred. Without a commute, many people start work the moment they wake up and keep checking emails late into the evening. On the plus side, remote workers often have more flexibility to exercise or cook proper meals during the day. A friend of mine now takes a long lunchtime walk, which would have been impossible when she spent two hours travelling to the office.

I believe children benefit from a clear routine, but it shouldn't be overly rigid. Regular bedtimes and mealtimes help them sleep well and feel secure, because they know what to expect. On the other hand, if every minute is planned, they lose the chance to play freely and use their imagination. My younger cousins have a set time for homework and bed, but their afternoons are largely unstructured, and that balance seems to suit them very well.

Absolutely, because without some personal time, people tend to become stressed and short-tempered. Even twenty minutes of reading, walking or listening to music gives the mind a chance to recover from the pressures of work and family. For instance, many working parents say that a quiet cup of tea before the household wakes up keeps them sane. Of course, not everyone can manage it easily, but I think it's worth protecting even a small amount of time.