I had another headache. It was the third one this week.
The part that bothered me the most was that I kept skipping my morning practice because I just couldn’t…but this time was different.
I decided I wasn’t going to miss another morning doing the routine that I knew helped me feel better in my body. The am start that I had created for consistency. The regular rhythm that encouraged more positive behaviors, greater productivity, and a sense of certainty throughout my day.
So I did it anyway, headache and all. And you know what? My head felt better, not worse! My morning ritual was retroactive! What I usually did for prevention was, in fact, my medicine.
Right then and there, I realized just how important this habit that I had created really was.
I always knew in the back of my mind just how crucial this simple act had become, but I didn’t really
know it until now. This was my opportunity to live into and truly feel its value.
That is how sacred routine and ritual morphed my life and the lives of my clients and loved ones.
The Benefits of a Solid Daily Rhythm
The benefits of a consistent routine are vast. It doesn’t have to be just in the morning (although that is what I recommend). It can be a routine for nighttime/bedtime, dinner, bath, walking, reading, family time, teeth brushing, or literally any time you need a little extra support.
You see, routines hold you, unquestionably. They become regularity you can count on. They become a foundation on which you can build. It gets you set up with the energy you want for a dynamic day and provides a direction toward your immediate success.
I wrote an article called Magical Mornings and the Wonder of Routines. It talks more about the energetic space that a morning routine can provide. There is also a part two that delves into the evening/bedtime routine and even a little chakra meditation you can listen to.
A specific sleep and wake time supports a healthy circadian rhythm. With that comes sounder sleep, less fatigue, and overall better health. It creates an upward spiral in your life that leads to even better things.
Why Routines Are So Effective
On an emotional level, knowing what is coming next invites a greater sense of authority over your life. This will naturally help decrease anxiety or worry.
Having some predictability in your life has been shown to decrease stress. With less stress comes lower levels of cortisol, the hormone associated with high stress.
Routine and predictability can also help in some cases of ADHD and depression because it gives you a specific and familiar point of focus that is not on the condition itself.
Consistency is really the key in all situations. Now you have something set in motion that acts as a
stabilizing force for mood regulation, calmer sleep, and more balanced appetite/digestion. And the best part of all… a deeper sense of control over your life that might have been missing before.
Creating a predictable path in your day can increase productivity because routines are reliable. That means you don’t have to scramble as much. You are also now better able to think less about what’s happening next. This allows you to direct more of your mental energy to things that really matter and less energy on daily survival.
We know that a solid routine and predictable course creates a sense of stability. It can also provide the flexibility necessary to adjust to life’s various circumstances on a moment’s notice.
The bonus: when you train yourself to be more productive (which routines automatically do), you are encouraging more structured blocks of focused, uninterrupted time. This provides more efficiency and less exhaustion. This can completely change the game for completing important agenda items on your task list.
Recapitulation Builds Neural Pathways
Sustainable, automatic habits become part of your life force and tend to stick around longer term when daily rituals are done regularly.
Just Start Small
Sometimes the hard part is simply starting. It can be daunting to begin a new way of being. We humans love to stay nice and cozy warm in our safe and familiar world. Whether it’s ideal or functional…
The truth is that creating routines does not have to be big or overwhelming. They can be simple and easily integrated into your basic lifestyle.
That’s why I suggest beginning new habits that follow an already established pattern.
What are you already doing and currently have set in motion? Start with small things that follow that. For example, after you have your morning coffee, tea, or water, try a little meditation. Post teeth brushing, fit in a short meditation, guided visualization, or a simple mantra.
Anchoring new routines onto things that are already familiar makes the transition smoother and easier to incorporate.
So, consider a regular bedtime and/or wake time, or plan meals around a specific time sequence that is already working for you.
Final Thoughts
Take a quick moment now to think about what it could do for your life to have consistency and intention up-leveled and at the forefront of your daily experience…
Because a hearty routine will leave you feeling more connected to your intuition and the natural
movement of the world around you.
The truth is that the more in tune you are, the easier it is to navigate hectic life, draw upon your body’s best, and call positive opportunities your way.
Now the universe is officially working for your best happiness and joy!
It really is quite amazing to think about how tiny, predictable rituals can impact your physical body, your emotional health, and your overall success.
Cece’s a Board Certified Holistic Health Practitioner who helps sensitive souls reconnect with their body’s wisdom. Learn More or sign up for Letters of Embodied Light here.
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Cece James BS, HHP, CAWK, Clinical EFT Certified Practitioner , Certified Toxicity & Detox Specialist
Cece James is the founder of the Institute for Healing and Holistic Living. She has been in the field of health and wellness for almost 3 decades. She is passionate about her mission to bring healing strategies to others and create a loving culture of self-care.
Cece supports individuals and families facing chronic illness or other health challenges as well as empowers those who are interested in learning to navigate the terrain of whole foods, holistic lifestyle, supplements and the use of various natural remedies.
She truly believes that everyone has what they need to heal inside them right now. Through experience and conversation, she explores the various ways in which a holistic lifestyle can enrich and integrate into any current view of health and thus optimize ones true balance and vitality.
