Whether we realise it or not, our lives are filled with rituals many of which are incredibly soothing and bring a form of stability into our life.
A ritual can be something as simple as such as making ourselves a cup of morning tea, showering before we start the day, teeth cleaning, morning yoga or even just reading at bedtime. A day doesn’t go by without some sort of ritual and, without maybe even realising it, these rituals bring a sense of comfort & structure into our day and tend to embody what matters most to us.
But this past year of CoVid has made us feel we have little or no control on what’s happening ‘outside’ and many of those daily rituals that previously bought routine into our days, may now have fallen by the wayside as we adapt to a new way of living / a new daily routine.
So, as always, when we feel as if the outer world is spinning out of control, the best thing we can do is to bring some stability back into our lives by strengthening our ‘inner world’ with soothing rituals that bring a sense of balance, structure & comfort into our day.
Are all rituals good?
Well actually, there’s no good or bad .. but there are some that are better for our wellbeing. For a moment, reflect on the daily rituals – habits – that make up your life. Do you reach for the same sugary cereal for breakfast each day or stay up late most nights or, somehow manage to finish a good half bottle (or more) of wine on a regular basis? Over time these – possibly unconscious – choices are going to definitely affect how we feel – mentally, physically & emotionally.
Reflect on your rituals to unearth those that have become unhelpful ingrained habits.
You don’t have to be a slave to an empty ritual … we can be the master of our rituals instead! We have the power each day to bring more happiness, creativity and balance in our life by choosing habits that enrich our day.
To help inspire you, we’ve shared below some rituals that may help bring a sense of stability & comfort into your day.
- Trouble sleeping? Make yourself a cup of warm oat milk before bed. Oats contain amino acids that boost production of melatonin which can make you feel sleepy. After a while the ritual of making your bedtime drink acts as a signal to your body that it’s time to relax.
- Candlelight. This is a great one for dark winter afternoons & mornings. Instead of switching on the lights, spend 15 minutes in the warm glow of candlelight and feel how the gentle light invites you to slow down and rest. Taking time to be still & silent sets a calming tone for the rest of the day. This would be a great time to listen to a guided meditation too.
- Take 5 minutes each day. To sit & be still and focus on nothing but your breath – purposefully breathing in & out slowly through your nose – with eyes closed can help reduce feelings of anxiety & overwhelm. Or, spend 5 minutes – with no distractions nearby – writing your thoughts in a journal or schedule a catch up call with someone to help you to feel more in touch with yourself and those you care for.
- Move. Our body’s are designed to move – regularly. So if you’re working at a desk for hours on end, set a timer to go off every 30 minutes (or less) and have a stretch whilst seated or get up and walk about or even better, get out in the fresh air to boost your circulation, lubricate your joints and help clear your mind.
- Self Care. Introduce rituals that are totally & completely about you. Whether that be a soak in a warm bath, listening to some relaxing music or simply taking a nap. It’s important to have rituals that top up your ‘wellbeing bank’. We’re constantly making ‘withdrawals’ from our ‘bank – especially if you care for others so do NOT feel guilty about time out for you. Self care rituals show that you value your welfare.
What useful or meaningful rituals do you have, or would like to create in your life? Please share them to inspire others.
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