In our modern world, we often move too quickly and become too overwhelmed with information. Because we’re so frequently preoccupied with getting things done in the most quick and efficient manner, we sometimes lose our connection to the things in life that are really important—the earth, our spirit, the cycles of nature, and our own cycles.
Establishing positive daily rituals are essential to our physical, emotional, and spiritual health. To help us stay connected to these important parts of our lives, we’ve compiled a list of several daily rituals that keep people grounded, happy, and healthy.
1. Welcome the day – many cultures around the world have some type of ritual that involves greeting each new day. Without even realizing it, we have many morning rituals that keep us going strong through the day. For instance, many people begin their mornings brewing a cup of coffee, while others perform yoga sun salutations to wake their bodies and minds. These little actions put us into a positive frame of mind and prepare our whole self for whatever stressors lie ahead.
2. Share a family meal – you don’t have to be a professional cook to enjoy a nice dinner with the people you love. Set aside a specific day and time for a weekly dinner with your family. By eating dinner together, you are able to re-connect with your family, eat nourishing food, and evaluate your priorities.
3. Give thanks – a gratitude ritual allows us to be more receptive for giving and receiving more of life’s blessings. Sometimes, it takes a small ritual to help us get in touch with all the things that we don’t have enough time to appreciate! Pick up a pen and make a list of your family, friends, and even pets that matter to you. By jotting down one or two reasons why each is important to you, you will be able to remember the parts of your life that shouldn’t be taken for granted.
4. Sleep well – many religions have a tradition of bed-time prayers. Many people who suffer from insomnia or experience difficulty sleeping tend to have over-active minds that mull over the day’s problems at night. Sleeping rituals help to combat this problem by keeping you calm enough to get some quality shut-eye. Many people swear by the night-time bath ritual: soak in a tub with lavender oil and see how quickly your anxieties will melt away!
5. Let go – aside ceremonies like funerals that are designed to mark the passing of a loved one, we don’t have very many rituals that help us commemorate a sad experience we might have had. If you need some closure from a sad event, try this trick from ritualist Donna Henes, author of “The Queen of Myself: Stepping into Sovereignty in Midlife”—
Gather together symbols that represent a significant event that has ended, such as photos, business cards, or jewelry, and wrap the items in a cloth. When you are ready to let go of the items, bury them in your yard. This is a great way to honor your past while moving forward with your future.
