Routine

While we all love the idea of an adventure and exploring new things, your body and mind respond well to repetition and consistency.

Routine gives you a sense of structure. It is familiar and therefore comforting. It keeps you going even when you are not in the mood for anything extra.

Physical routines such as taking a walk, dry brushing your body, or making a meal are good mood stabilizers. Often the easiest way to bring order to a cluttered mind is to get up and move your body; awaken your senses, find some simple way to get your energy flowing.

Along with dog-walking, dry brushing, meditating and making a nice breakfast every morning, I find small things that I do around the house most delightful mindfulness exercise.

Changing sheets on weekends. Lighting candles every morning and every evening. Freshening up our place as a parting ritual between work and play.

Some routines can also be called rituals, or traditions, but for the sake of good life, I cherish the really small and mundane ones. Those are what anchor your day and keep you going.

Everything is better after a brisk walk in fresh air.