When A Crisis Strikes…Having a Sense of Security through Routines and Rituals

Have you ever noticed that you normally follow the same sequence of actions in the morning as you get ready for your day? You get up, get dressed, eat breakfast, brush your teeth, etc. in the same order almost every day. Why is that? This is because having routines gives you a sense of security. Routines will give your life some structure and a feeling that you are in control of something (even if in reality we have no control over anything—just our thoughts).

According to the American Heritage dictionary, a ritual is “a detailed act or series of acts carried out by an individual to relieve anxiety or to forestall the development of anxiety.” I liked this definition because doing something over and over again does give us a feeling of peace and calms us down. Whether they are religious in nature such as prayers, lighting candles, etc or something else that you believe in, rituals will help you feel like you are taking some sort of action that will help. It is important to do things that make you feel better, that will give you comfort, and that will help you get through the crisis.

Creating routines will give you some structure and stability where otherwise you might feel you have nothing. The routines you put into your life give you a structure that is comforting and familiar. Eating meals at a certain time every day, taking a daily walk, watching the sun set, meditating, calling your best friend, tucking your children into bed, taking five minutes to be grateful…all of these are ways to give yourself (and your loved ones) a sense of security.

If you have children going through the crisis with you, it is especially important to give them some structure because they need to feel secure. Some level of predictability in our lives IS reassuring! These are simple things you CAN control so hold on to them and appreciate the value they give you during a crisis.
You can feel a sense of security no matter what is happening in your life. Having routines and rituals are gifts we give to ourselves because they calm us down, put us into the moment, and help us to keep a healthy perspective on life. During tough times, it really is the little things in life that matter!