How Everyday Rituals Relieve Stress

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“The unknown stirs feelings of a loss of control. It's daunting to face uncertainty every day. So, we attempt to bring control to the chaos of life. Rituals provide a sense of predictability, certainty, and stability. They comfort us (Lang, M. et al. 2020). Humans need a sense of control or certainty about their daily lives. Studies show that the more uncertain we feel, the more likely we are to see patterns where none exist. Patterns tested include visual illusions, superstitions, and conspiracy theories (Whitson, et al. 2008). Affirming our sense of control helps buffer the tendency to see patterns where they don't exist.

Allison Wood Brooks and colleagues defined a ritual as "a predefined sequence of symbolic actions often characterized by formality and repetition that lacks direct instrumental purpose." She and her colleagues made up several different rituals that resembled magic spells in a study of performance anxiety. Experimenters measured both physiological and psychological stress around math test anxiety and singing karaoke in public. Those who performed the ritual experienced significantly less stress than subjects in the control group (Brooks, A. W. 2016). Moreover, to sleep better at night, experts recommend a sleep routine before bedtime. A bedtime ritual helps you separate yourself psychologically from the business of a workday and prepare yourself for rest. Washing, changing into bedclothes, dimming the lights, and sipping an herbal tea can help you calm down and feel sleepy.”

Read the whole article at Psychology Today.

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💬 What everyday ritual do you have?