Why Creating Rituals Improves Your Stress Levels?
This past week, one of my clients, a stressed-out working mother with minimal extra time, mentioned she had an epiphany during our work together. She explained that she always viewed having a routine as something that would hold her back because it wouldn’t give her the freedom to make decisions that were not aligned with her routine. However, in the last few months, she started to view her routines as “rules of the road,” providing her a sense of direction and something she could fall back on in times of need. She said, I’m paraphrasing - If you’re trying to manage life without any rituals or practices, it’s like a teenager learning to drive. You are just out there overwhelmed. You can’t manage it as you go, or each new stress in your life will send you for a loop. Creating “rules of the road” gave her the tools to balance her life. As we went deeper, I reminded her it wasn’t about being perfect with her routines. You can’t get to a point where you “must” do these practices every day, or you won’t function.
Breathwork, journaling, eating healthy, and moving are all important in our life. They give us tools to become more resilient. But, if we don’t live up to our perfect morning or day, it shouldn’t de-rail us. The work we put in allows us to handle the off days. We aren’t “snowflakes.” We are much more resilient than we think we are. In doing all of these practices, shoot for the 80/20 rule. Can you get them in 5 out of 7 days? If we get thrown off because our morning routine wasn’t perfect, what good are these practices?
All of the practices of the Symmetry 6 (breath, mindset, nutrition, movement, recovery, and relationships) are designed to help you become a more resilient and fulfilled human. It is also designed to help you find what exactly works for you within each of these. What works for one client doesn’t work for another. If you can take a little time and get in touch with who you are and what you truly need, you will find the best fit for you.
As Bruce Lee said, “Research your own experience. Absorb what is useful, reject what is useless, add what is uniquely your own.” The first step is to research your own experience. We often get caught up in the hamster wheel of life—work, family, and commitments and we never take time to look inside. If you start to look inside, I promise you will get more out of the rest of your life. Be curious about why you do things. Why do you react in certain ways? Is there a reason you get angry so easily or panic in stressful situations? Is there a reason you need that cocktail every night or, could there be another way to “de-stress?” As you begin to explore your inner-being by creating moments of stillness and forced discomfort, you will realize you have all the tools inside of you to take back control of your life. Unfortunately, modern society doesn’t want us to know them. It would prefer we remain dependent on someone or something to bring us fulfillment and take away the pain.
I’m not here to tell you what is good, bad, right, or wrong. I’m here to tell you to decide for yourself. This blog is only a guide. “Absorb what is useful, reject what is useless, then add what is uniquely your own.”
Call To Action
At Symmetry, we help busy people take back control of their lives so they have more time, more energy, and less stress! If you’re ready to take back control of your life, set-up a FREE 15-minute call today! We are currently offering virtual breath classes to help you begin to experience the benefits of the breath. You can access our schedule here. Our programs will improve your mindset, your performance, and give you tools to better handle the stresses of everyday life. Check out our website www.symmetry.live to find out more information.
