Regular Daily Routines Linked to Lower Pain, Depression in Older Adults

Regular Daily Routines Linked to Lower Pain, Depression in Older Adults
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A new study from researchers at the University of Missouri has found that maintaining a consistent daily routine is associated with lower levels of physical pain and fewer symptoms of depression, particularly among older adults experiencing insomnia.

The study, published in the Journal of Behavioral Medicine, analyzed survey data from 67 adults aged 60 and older, including 37 participants who reported symptoms of insomnia. Researchers found that participants with more regular daily schedules tended to report less physical pain and fewer symptoms of depression, regardless of their reported sleep quality.

According to the researchers, maintaining consistent times for activities such as waking up, eating, working or studying, social interaction and going to bed may help synchronize the body’s circadian rhythm. The researchers suggested that more stable daily time cues could partly explain the association between routine and better physical and psychological well-being.

The findings do not establish that a regular routine directly treats chronic pain or depression, but they add to growing evidence linking regular daily rhythms with psychological and physical well-being. A separate 2026 study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology also found that irregular daily activities were associated with greater depressive symptoms, with perceived control identified as one possible pathway.