The key to creating anything is starting in a manageable way. When you allow yourself space to try something that mindset encourages you to keep going. Creating daily rituals fitting your lifestyle can be much the same. You may already have some because it’s so simple to have daily rituals that many are unconscious. Yet, when you mindfully add a ritual to your lifestyle, you start to live consciously and you even notice how great you feel inside. Here are a few tips to enhance or infuse into your day whenever you possibly can!

1. Meditate

When you wake up in the morning or settle in for the evening, make time to meditate. Even though you may roll your eyes because “meditation” has become some loaded word, there are lasting benefits you’ll notice in your daily life once you start making up your mind to do it. I know this because I’ve experienced it. I’ve had an attitude that “oh, it doesn’t work” or “I’m avoiding getting things done by sitting here” and other excuses to not do this essential action of self-care. Mostly, we don’t understand mediation and how it’s important to breathe deeply- holding our breath in between inhaling and exhaling. I didn’t realize how important mediation was until I studied it and practiced it.

I literally mediated and solutions for issues I faced came to me. Slowing down is necessary for our minds to actually re-organize and sort through things. We don’t have to figure it out- whatever it is- all by ourselves while worrying every second. Instead, we just need to let ourselves breathe. Meditation in the morning can truly help you feel ready for the day ahead or have a peaceful sleep where your mind is truly at rest. Find a guided meditation or tune into soft music on Youtube. I like to listen to the Calm and Calm Whale YouTube channels. But, if you’d rather not have music, then pranayama, the regulation of breathing I mentioned before, can get you into a deep space as well. 

2. Make Your Bed

If you do nothing else in a day, at least you made your bed, right? Making your bed is so simple, you could easily ignore it, casting it away as insignificant. But that isn’t true at all. When you pull your covers and comforter up to your pillow and smooth out the wrinkles, that’s satisfying. When you organize your mountain of pillows in the order you like, that’s comforting. If you don’t have a mountain of pillows, there’s no shame in that either. When I started to make my bed more and more each morning, it quickly became a small feel-good habit. 

When I look at my made-up bed or when I walk back into my bedroom after a long day, it feels so soothing to see. Sound strange? Try it and see how you feel after. I know that instantly I feel my room looks better and is less cluttered. It also inspires me, a notorious clutter-bug, to reorient some things on my desk or put my clothes back in the closet. It’s a starting point for straightening up if you can’t stand cleaning up, most of all, it’s a nice dose of feel-good vibes. 

3. Laugh Until You Cry

That old saying “laughter is the best medicine” feels so true sometimes. The action of laughing is so sweet in itself because you’re fully present and feeling joy. It’s one of my favorite things in the world because it’s so effortless but has lasting effects on our mood and attitude. Whatever makes you laugh, whether it’s calling up that one friend who can joke about anything, or watching your fave comedy after work–do it!

For me, it’s become an essential and natural part of my day to watch stand-up. You can blame the outstanding comedy specials that Netflix has thrown our way for this new ritual of my own. Youtube also makes it so easy to watch a 5 or 10-minute video of up-in-coming and prominent comedians, like Joel Kim Booster,  killing it. So if you need a break from the never-ending emails or all that paperwork, watch some comedians take the stage with the amazing Comedy Central YouTube channel, or listen to great podcasts like Adulting and Late Night Whenever— both hosted by one of my fave comedians Michelle Buteau.

4. Yoga & Fitness  Sessions

Unlike any other form of fitness, yoga has truly helped me to feel instantly good once I complete a session. Though I’m no expert yogi yet, I can acknowledge it’s self-care benefits, which I delve into more on 21 Ninety! Yoga feels empowering especially when doing asanas like the goddess or temple pose. There are so many styles like Vinyasa and Hatha, so you’re bound to find what you’re looking for if you want something more intense or slow-flowing. Yoga can be elegant but mostly I love how it is a moment to just slow down and focus on only a few things: your body and your breathing. If anyone is finding it hard to sit still and meditate, I do encourage you to try yoga. You don’t have to do a whole hour and 30 minutes, you can go at your own pace by looking at helpful diagrams on Pinterest or following along on Gaia or YouTube. 

If you can fit in 30 minutes to an hour of cardio or weights, that will radically improve your health and wellness too. You don’t have to be looking to lose weight when you hit the gym or workout at home. I find that focusing instead on wanting to feel healthier actually makes working out more interesting and even fun. I like to work out in the morning but an evening workout is a great way to end the day.

5. Dance To Your Fave Music

If you wake up at a nice hour in the morning, long enough to comfortably put on your outfit for the day- please blast your music too! Ask your Alexa to play your top ten or open up your Spotify and let it sing. Or if you’re like me and get the urge to dance when the whole house is sleeping, just pop your headphones in and start to move however you want to. Listening to music this way helps me to feel creative when I need a little break from writing. You stir up your energy and feel goofy which is another great way to laugh and get your body moving. 

6. Unwind With Tea & A Book

Maybe it’s coffee and a book or a tablet and wine, whatever beverage that gets you in the mood to relax– pair it with a book! I drink about two to three cups of tea a day because my body knows that when I drink jasmine green tea it’s time to sink into my comfy chair and do an activity that relaxes me. Tea itself is relaxing with its warmth and soothing aromas, yet when you also have a delightful or insightful book to read, it’s a powerful time for you, your relaxation, and imagination. I don’t know about you, but my fave genre to read is fantasy and sci-fi, so I literally get swept up comfort and daydreams. But maybe nonfiction and memoirs allow your mind to let go of distractions and unwind. 

7. Keep A Gratefulness Journal

Like many of these simple daily rituals, keeping a gratefulness journal can have a greater impact on your mood and outlook in your daily life. Affirming in writing that you are grateful for your loving family or appreciating that something wonderful happened to you allows you to reflect. It’s so vital for us to reflect because, again, this allows you space to process your thoughts and emotions and let your mind relax a bit.

In our fast-paced society, it’s so easy to breeze past the accomplishments you’ve had or to not even recognize when a good thing has happened to you. But, writing gratefulness lists every night especially can help you to expand that gratefulness you feel in you walking-talking life. When you go to sleep after writing your list, waking up in the morning you’ll start to notice how you appreciate things more. I know this because I have a few such journals and making them has impacted my life in such a positive way. Start one if you haven’t already!

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Best,

Kai