12 daily rituals that boost health and happiness

Our daily rituals, the little things that fill our days, can seem insignificant. But, over time, they compound to create change; these can be positive or negative depending on our choices. It’s worth taking some time to think about anything in your life that might be compounding in the wrong direction.

In the meantime, I want to inspire you to make some positive change in your life by implementing one or two new daily rituals and can all help to boost your health and happiness... 

EAT HEALTHY 
Start your day with a healthy breakfast and include more fresh fruit in your diet. Be conscious of how much you snack throughout your day, especially mid-morning and afternoon. It's easy to make a few healthier swaps and change carb-heavy lunches for something lighter that boosts your health and avoids that afternoon slump!

STAYING HYDRATED
Headaches, mind fog and tiredness can all stem from not drinking enough water. Add a few glasses of water to your day - start small and see how you feel. I find it easy to build them into my day; I start the morning with a large glass of fresh water, top it up at lunchtime and then sip another one throughout the afternoon - it's much easier than it sounds once you get into a routine.

CLEAN YOUR SKIN
Treat all of your skin with the same respect and use high-quality natural products to wake it up in the morning and keep it feeling fresh and comfortable all day. If you’re new to natural products, then try swapping one thing at a time to make the transition easier on your skin and budget! You’ll love the difference that it makes to your skin.

STEERING CLEAR OF PROCESSED FOOD
Have you noticed how sluggish processed food makes you feel? Try creating more meals from fresh and seasonal produce so that you know what you're eating. Even if your cooking skills are a little rusty, there are so many simple, delicious recipes that you can follow to help you along and you’ll be amazed at the difference you feel within yourself.

RADIATE KINDNESS
Try sharing more kindness; with yourself, others, the planet - anywhere you can. I’m sure that you can think of many ways to do this but here are a few of my favourites.

Compliment yourself when you look in the mirror, hold open doors for strangers, let someone know how much their friendship means to you, reach out to someone who needs help - even if you’re not sure what to say, donate unwanted items to a local charity. The list is endless and just think how much better the world would be if we all sprinkled a little more kindness around.   

AVOID THE WHITE STUFF
Yes, I’m talking about sugar. It’s a real challenge to remove it all, and so try taking baby steps – swap a sugary drink for a glass of water or turn down the biscuits if they’re offered. I know that these small things don’t seem like they can make that much of a difference but trust me, they do. Before long, you’ll naturally reach for less of it and that will leave you feeling more clear-minded and energetic – I promise, it's worth the effort. 

BE THANKFUL
Spending a few minutes every day feeling grateful is life-changing. Give it a try right now. Think of three things that you're thankful for. They can be small; it really doesn't matter just as long as you spend the time feeling the gratitude in your heart. It’s incredible just how much this can improve your day and rebalance your mood. Click here to read more on how to develop a gratitude mindset.

FIND TIME TO MEDITATE
Even five minutes makes a huge difference. There is plenty of advice on meditating, but it can be as simple as sitting quietly and taking 3 deep breaths. It's good to close your eyes but don't worry if that doesn't feel comfortable straight away. I meditate in the morning and find a quiet few minutes to sit for a while in the afternoon; give it a go and see how it transforms your day. Using the power of aromatherapy to help quiet a busy mind can be helpful too - take a look at our collection of natural meditation candles that help to evoke feelings of Love, Gratitude, Trust or Peace. 

ANCHOR YOURSELF IN THE MOMENT
Don’t waste precious energy ruminating over the past or worrying about the future, we can do very little to influence either.  Instead, try sitting in the present moment more often during your day. Be mindful of what’s happening around you, close your eyes and focus on what scents you can pick up or what sounds you can hear. Try not to label or judge anything; simply notice it and let it pass by. It gets easier with practice and so try and find a few minutes every day to practice. 

ADD IN SOME ACTIVITY
What makes you happy? Do you love walking, dancing, yoga? Whatever it is, regular daily exercise – even just for 20 minutes or so – almost guarantees you’ll feel healthier and happier every day.

SPEND TIME WITH FAMILY
Even if you live alone, find time each day to connect with the people you love. Even a phone call or text message can make a world of difference. It’s all about connecting with others. Try and make the connections as free from other distractions as possible so that you enjoy your time spent with those that mean the most to you.

SMILE
A few years ago, a study found that smiling made people feel more positive than if they didn’t smile at all - which makes sense, right? Smiling decreases feelings of stress, and it certainly helps you feel happier. And, it works - try smiling more today, to the people you meet on the school run, your colleagues or the other early morning dog walkers you see every day. You’ll be surprised how many people respond and maybe that smile helps them feel happier too - just imagine the ripple effect this could have.

So there are 12 daily rituals to boost your health and happiness. You don't need to try them all at once - try choosing one each week - start with the one that seems easiest for you and then work up to more as your motivation and happiness increases - enjoy!  

AUTHOR: LEANNA DOOLIN

Co – Founder of holistic skincare brand, Pure Thoughts and advocate for women finding pause in their day to breathe deeply, give thanks and reconnect to what matters. Loves early mornings, dogs and books that you can’t put down.