In the hustle of daily life, Creating a personal ritual, however, can be a powerful way to bring stress relief, mindfulness, and a sense of calm to your day.
What are your first few thoughts when you wake up in the morning? How do you set your intention to start the day? Are you trudging towards the closet, going through a list of things you need to do for the day, anxiously hurrying yourself to get ready for work or feed the kids?
A morning ritual can be as simple and quick as a few deep breaths, a few minutes of stretching, drinking a glass of warm lemon water or journaling for five minutes. These are examples of how you can set an intention for the day to shift towards a more positive mindset and energy, , offering a moment of stress relief.
A bedtime ritual is effective as well. What is a ritual that you could create to bring some loving kindness to yourself at the end of a long day? For example, turning off screens an hour before bed, reading a few chapters of a book, a warm cup of herbal tea, writing 3 things you feel grateful for that day or listening to calming music. To add to that, I like to dim my lights, light a candle, tidy up a few things in my room as it does not require too much energy or focus, write down a list of things I need to do the next day and put on a mindfulness app for a few minutes of meditation before sleep. This allows me to create space for my mind and body to wind down and reconnect with my inner self. It can also help you relax and have better quality sleep.
The key to making rituals is keeping it simple and consistent (just like habits!). Start small – choose one activity that resonates with you and attach them to something you are already doing. An example could be pouring a cup of morning coffee and then spending a few minutes writing in your gratitude journal. These small actions, over time, will become second nature, having a powerful ripple effect.
By dedicating a few minutes a day to mindfulness, you can create a sense of stability in your day, some moments for yourself, with intention. Over time, the rituals help you with emotional regulation, navigate challenges with greater ease, ultimately a greater sense of well-being and resilience. What simple practice are you willing to invest in yourself today to support your well-being, reduce stress and nurture a sense of balance? A personal ritual is a great way to start. Will yours be a morning or bedtime ritual, or both? I’d love to hear about them!
