Rituals

Lets face it we are creatures of habit. Most people keep so consistent in their schedule you could set a clock by their daily routine.

Why do we create these daily rituals?

Why is the consistency it creates so comfortable?

What are some of my daily rituals?

Like most people, as soon as I get out of bed, I rush to my coffee pot and turn it on. I do my daily weigh-in and take my vitamins. I grab my hot cup of coffee and head to my grounding mat to read and meditate for 20 minutes. To be clear, my meditation sometimes involves just staring into space without any real clarity. I've discovered that if I avoid picking up my phone for the first 20 minutes after waking, I'm less inclined to reach for it throughout the day. My brain isn't seeking the instant dopamine reward from scrolling. After my 20-minute meditation, I stretch for 5 minutes. Being 40 years old, I experience the usual aches and pains, so I perform stretches for my lower back, legs, and shoulders. After that, I make sure to get my steps in, sometimes outside, and sometimes just pacing inside my house for 20 minutes. This daily routine helps manage my anxiety and allows me to prioritize what’s important to me: my health and wellness. I spend the first hour of my day on self-reflection, which makes me better equipped to serve others.

Simply engaging in an activity regularly can turn it into a ritual. Exercise, mindfulness, gratitude, journaling, sleep, nature walks, digital detox, and afternoon reflection are excellent examples.

With the new year beginning, now is a perfect opportunity to incorporate some new daily rituals.

The benefits of daily rituals can be

• Stress reduction , repeating familiar acts can calm the mind and reduce stress

• Improve focus, rituals can bring a sense of mindfulness allowing for better consternation

• Sense of identity, incorporating personal rituals can contribute to a stronger sense of self

• Social connection, shared rituals can foster a sense of belonging and community

• Meaning and purpose, rituals can add significance to everyday activities providing a sense of purpose and grounding

• Enhance resilience; rituals provide a consistent routine, aiding us in managing challenging periods.

We create rituals grounded in our values. Studies have demonstrated that rituals can enhance performance and positively impact overall wellbeing.

If you enjoy setting New Year's resolutions, think about adding healthy daily rituals to your life instead of removing something.