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Science can be such a fascinating world, especially when the research is cool.  And in this case, its all about how your habits and daily rituals affect your life.  I have been talking about rituals for a long time now, especially as my own have changed (or have been forced to change) to make life easier.  Rituals at their best make life easier and more “rhythmic.”   They also reduce stress, help people cope with grief and improve daily performance in life. 

Are you a creature of habit? THIS easy read from Scientific American  is a little insight into the ‘power’ of ritual. That green tea you (or I!) must have every morning, the way you get ready for bed… the way you prepare for a meeting… Its all valuable!  What struck me was this:

“Recent research suggests that rituals may be more rational than they appear. Why? Because even simple rituals can be extremely effective. Rituals performed after experiencing losses – from loved ones to lotteries – do alleviate grief, and rituals performed before high-pressure tasks – like singing in public – do in fact reduce anxiety and increase people’s confidence. What’s more, rituals appear to benefit even people who claim not to believe that rituals work. While anthropologists have documented rituals across cultures, this earlier research has been primarily observational. Recently, a series of investigations by psychologists have revealed intriguing new results demonstrating that rituals can have a causal impact on people’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.”

Some science to validate why a little ritual can be a helpful and peaceful part of your day! xoxo Dana