Rituals are a way to celebrate life and infuse our days with meaning. A routine is made up of those things we do every day. A ritual is how we break up the monotony, create joy in the mundane and nourish our souls.
Over the last few years, I’ve infused my days with simple rituals that remind me that life is more than just a set of tasks to be crossed off my to-do lists. These rituals help me pause and rest when it’s so tempting to just. keep. going. And they give me something wonderful to look forward to throughout the day.
I’m a huge fan of simple rituals, because that makes them more likely to be sustainable. A sustainable ritual is one that will nurture your soul day after day.
However, if you try something and hate it or after a while it no longer feels like a ritual, but a chore, it’s perfectly ok to stop doing it. Really. Or tweak it a little. Or a lot. Whatever works for you.
Today, I wanted to leave you with some ideas for simple rituals that don’t take much time and I encourage you to try any that stand out or write down any ideas they may inspire:
7 self-care rituals that take 15 minutes or less
1. Tea time
Put on the kettle, steep your favorite tea and savor it. Try it in the morning to give you a nice start to the day. Or have some before you start dinner. (I do both.) This mid-afternoon pause serves as a great reset button – a chance to gather your thoughts, breathe and prepare for the coming evening and bedtime routines.
Every day at 4 pm, I pour myself a cup of hot tea. Then, I take a few minutes to simply enjoy it. Granted, there are days where things get crazy, but I still have my tea. Even if I’m standing in the kitchen, drinking it an hour later than usual while making dinner, it still makes me happy because that simple cup of tea reminds me that I’m a priority and it’s ok to do things that bring me joy.
2. Walk around the block
Step outside. Breathe deep. Move your body. A short walk is a great daily ritual that gets you sunshine, fresh air and a chance to take in and appreciate nature.
3. Breathe
Next time you’re feeling stressed, I want you to pay attention to something. Are you holding your breath? Do you find yourself holding your breath throughout the day? Do you feel tense an anxious while you do? Chances are, the answer is yes.
Try creating a breathing ritual. It only takes a few minutes and you can do it at any time. And really, all you’re doing is taking some time to get comfortable and breathe deeply. Controlled breathing helps you relax, de-stress and increase mindfulness.
4. Meditate
Just a few minutes of meditation can calm your mind and relieve stress. Meditative practice encourages you to focus on the present, rather than worry about the past or future. Try the free WelZen app if you need help. It offers guided meditations ranging from 5 minutes (free) to 20 (paid).
5. Get dressed
Getting dressed is one very simple way I practice self-care each day. Putting on an outfit that I feel beautiful in (not yoga pants!), shoes, fixing my hair and applying lipstick as if I’ve got an appointment helps me feel great all day long. I also get so much more done because I’m dressed for action, not lounging.
6. Decide how you want to feel
Each morning, when you wake up, I suggest giving thanks for a new day and then deciding on 3 desired feelings for the day.
Three might just pop in your head in the morning, like, “I want to feel joyful, confident and engaged today.” Or, after some introspection you might think, “When I go to bed tonight, I want to feel peaceful, content and like I connected well with my family.”
However it works for you to decide on those feelings, write them down. Then take steps toward creating those feelings throughout the day.
7. Get a good sweat
There is nothing like a little exercise to make you feel amazing. Even if you feel like you might die while you’re doing it …
But what do you do if you don’t have time to hit the gym? Don’t worry. There are SO many options out there. I’m a big fan of the 12-minute athlete website and app for a fast, efficient workout.
Enjoy.
