In times of grief, anxiety or change, routines can help us, especially ones that keep us connected with our body.
During a recent period of change in my life I found a daily walking schedule was a grounding experience. The changes that were happening in my family life were not under my control and I had trouble finding peace with them. However, these same unwanted changes, also gave me the gift of more time at home. I was able to use the extra time to start a daily walking routine. Walking helped me to expend anxiety, start my day in a predictable way, and breathe deeply in my body.
What routines could you add to your life to help you during times of transition or lament? Here are some ideas. Maybe they will spark some new life-giving routines for this season in your life!
- Have a day of the week where you bake bread. Kneading the dough can be a physically grounding pursuit and the weekly smell of fresh bread a gift.
- Create an end of the day routine. Perhaps yoga before bed or a prayer reviewing the day as you fall asleep.
- Create a routine around dinnertime. Cooking and cleaning up chores around mealtime can make routine moments of connection within yourself or with others in your family group.
- Attend a church community each week. This once a week routine has the power to reset my priorities and encourages me to reconnect with God and other people.
What are your lifegiving routines? We’d love to hear from you. Maybe your routine will encourage another reader from the Some Comfort and Joy community. Just click below to share your idea.
We hope that this has brought you some comfort and joy. If this has been meaningful for you please like, comment or share this with others.
And in case you missed it, we wrote a book! Comfort and Joy: Readings and Practices for Advent may be a wonderful companion for you this holiday season. If you are looking for something new, Unhappy Holidays: Blessings for a Blue Christmas is a newly released Advent devotional written by Sherah-Leigh as a gentle guide for those dreading the coming weeks.
some comfort and joy 