Our October topic on Wit & Delight It's about getting to the bottom of the matter. Part of the reason I wanted to highlight this topic is that I tend to overcomplicate things. I enjoy the process of trying new habits and daily rituals, but sometimes this practice can lead to a very stressful routine amidst the busyness of an ordinary day.
Lately I've been working to remove any unnecessary habits that complicate my life from my daily schedule. While there is certainly a time and place for these kinds of additional practices, I now find myself mired in the long daily routine. I focus instead on simplifying my rituals down to TRUE The basics that keep me moving forward, no matter how wild any day. I think just writing these rituals down helped me understand why I needed to prioritize them throughout the day.
This is the most important daily ritual I have in my routine now.
1. Move regularly
Regular movement is key for me to feel like the best version of myself. At this very moment, my main goal is to get steps in every day rather than committing to any type of intense movement (my goal is at least 8,000 steps and ideally over 10,000). I've found that dog walking and gardening make up most of this low-intensity movement.
2. Take a cold shower
This is a new ritual for me that has immediate mental and physical payoff. After moving my body (or before bed if I'm really nervous) I'll take a cold shower. I set the temperature to the lowest and let the shower run really cold before entering. (This does not mean that you also need to start showering in the coldest water temperature! You can read more about safety and how to find the right temperature for you in this article.) You're supposed to get the benefits of being in the cold after a few minutes, and while you can stand still and focus on your breath, I used that time to wash my hair. Then I would raise the temperature again for a few minutes before lowering it again. It has given me more energy and has helped with both brain fog and low level anxiety about daily tasks.
3. I prepare myself for the task at hand
Oftentimes, when I'm in the middle of a workday or running errands around the house, I get distracted by something else Wants This is for. Where I used to give in to cravings instantly, I now have a different way to combat that sense of distraction. I tell myself I have to finish one thing on my to-do list before I do the thing I really want to do. I try to look at this simple habit as a way to be kind to my future self.
4. Focus on my physical condition
Physical practices like doing a five-minute body scan or meditation are really important for me to do as needed throughout the day. This ritual helps me check in with myself and how I feel physically. They gently nudge me towards a more balanced way of being. And because it only requires two minutes, I'm generally able to take it in, even on really busy days.
5. The arrangement of the evening
Before I go to sleep each night, I take a few minutes and tidy it up Kitchen And the our bedroom. This simple act of putting things away helps me sleep with a clearer mind and start the next day on a better note.
6. A calming practice before bed
Maintaining my bedtime is #1 right now to ensure I feel satisfied even when life is hectic. a job The New York times spelling bee Is the thing that helps me turn off before I go to sleep at the moment (I wear my blue light protection glasses when I'm on my phone in bed). I try to be in bed by 9:00 to read and do Spelling Bee, and then go to bed by 10:30 at the latest so that I can get enough rest each night.
What are your basic daily rituals?
Kate is currently learning to play the ukulele, to the despair of her husband, children, and dogs. Follow her on Instagram at MustafaHosny Oh God, Amen.
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