Transforming Habit Into Ritual

Yesterday we talked about brainstorming and structuring a plan for success, and setting health habits in place to practice every day. A habit is something we’re able to practice without mindful awareness or attention, but don’t be fooled! Every habit begins with some level of awareness and attention before it can become second nature. We all have habits - some are helpful, and others are harmful. Ideally, we can maximize the helpful ones and minimize the harmful within the structure we’ve created to reach our goals, because in the end, it’s not just habits we strive for when it comes to long-term health and happiness. We want a steady and true practice wherein mere habits can transform into conscious, honored rituals! Rituals are sacred practices that we embrace with loving reverence and mindful awareness. 

Try this one on for size: Instead of thinking “I am taking these supplements because I was told I should,” your brain eventually shifts to thinking “I honor these supplements for nourishing me.”

When I use the term “sacred,” I don’t mean it in a religious sense, although you may find that as you establish daily health rituals, they become a kind of spiritual practice in themselves! Health rituals can range depending on the person and what that person deems sacred or worthwhile. It could be as simple as drinking a cup of lemon tea in the morning after a silent meditation, or eating dinner with family and loved ones every night. It could mean that you spend Sundays reading or journaling outside in nature, or you tend to the garden on Saturdays because you appreciate growing your own vegetables. It could even be a self-love date that you take yourself on once a week to treat yourself, and collect your thoughts. You get to decide what your rituals will be, but anything can become a ritual so long as it represents something meaningful for you, and most importantly, if you are mindful of its meaning in your life.

You can think of a ritual as the act of ascribing mindful appreciation and reverence to a particular habit. Forming wholistic rituals is a stage of enlightenment on your health journey, because they can be incredibly powerful tools for growth and healing.

Today’s Activity: 

Think about some of the newer health habits you’ve started to incorporate into your daily life during this challenge so far.

Now let’s try reframing the health habits into health rituals by considering the following:

1. Reformulate your thought process. Before you go to do the habit, ask yourself: “What’s the reason I’m doing this thing?” Your answer might be: “Because I know I need to,” or “because I have to lose weight,” and it’s fine if that’s still the case for now.

   1. Next, try thinking of the benefits this habit has brought to your life so far. Does it make you feel more energized in your body?

   2. Does it seem to make you feel less stressed out when you do it? When we focus on the benefits a habit might offer us, instead of the chore of “having” to do it every day, we can begin turning our health habits into ritual.

2. Does it bring you joy? Rituals will always bring you joy in some capacity, whether it’s the joy of a quiet moment alone, of treating your body well, or the joy of compassion and kindness you show to yourself or to others. As you complete one of your new health habits today, see if you can find a little joy in the present act of practicing it.

3. Does it leave you feeling better when you’re done? Wholistic rituals should make you feel lighter and happier than you were before. They often promote feelings of wellness, balance and restoration; when practiced over time, the best ones can even change your life. Once you’ve completed one of your new habits, take a moment to check in with yourself.

   1. Can you focus your attention on any positive feelings you might notice in your body?

4. What are ways that you can make this habit sacred? How can you begin to elevate it within your day? (For example, can you light candles before, say gratitudes or a prayer, or perhaps dedicate a special place in your home specifically for that activity.)

Boy oh boy, do I love practicing health rituals in my own life, and I love inspiring others to create some for themselves too! If you’re interested in reading more about health rituals, here’s a little extra reading material for you: This blog

Happy ritual-ing, and see you tomorrow!