NEW ARTICLES EVERY MONTH
August 2007
RITUALS
TRUE ALL-ROUNDER
After a long winter, we once again become aware that without life’s highs and lows, our lives would probably be fairly monotonous. But a certain level of routine is necessary for us to feel satisfied and balanced. Rituals are ways for us to achieve this: the bedtime story from our childhood; the Sunday breakfast with your partner; the evening personal hygiene ritual. We would miss these things if we didn’t have them. Ritual comes from the Latin word “ritus” and refers to a ceremonial religious custom. But for us, mundane rituals are, in a certain way, “holy”, even if they seem banal to others. Rituals that have become popular are more than just habit or routine because they create islands of calm within a hectic lifestyle and make life feel safer and more structured. So create your own personal rituals. Below are a few suggestions.
ISLANDS OF CALM
You can integrate rituals into your everyday life anywhere at any time. The only important thing is that they shouldn’t feel like chores, rather they should be fun and enrich your life. Here is a simple one to get started: Smile more often! It helps you to overcome everyday stressful situations. Find a comfortable place to sit, close your eyes and inhale deeply and exhale a few times. Deliberately focus on breathing through your slightly opened mouth. Feel how the exhaled air loosens your lips and lower jaw and magically brings a smile to your face? In fact, our brain cannot tell the difference between a real smile and a “fake” smile. The mouth’s positive movement sends signals to the brain that, in turn, signals relaxation. Here are a few other calming rituals: Lie down with your legs in the air once a day, eat an apple or make a cup of tea with fresh ginger. These rituals help create a break from life’s hectic pace.
BEAUTY CEREMONY
Reserve one night a week for a beauty ritual. Depending on what you need, it can be an aromatic, relaxing bath with a creamy bubble bath, a thorough pedicure or even a facial. Take enough time for your personal beauty ceremony and try to experience it with all your senses. You could also celebrate each week with a great evening of cooking, during which each family member is responsible for preparing one dish. This makes cooking and eating a double family event. And don’t forget rituals are there to do you good. If an old ritual no longer works, maybe the time has come for a new one. Get inspired and have fun with it!
