Do you make wishes on stars? Or celebrate tiny milestones, such as finishing your homework for the night or completing a workout? Or say or do the same thing in the same way every time you greet a particular friend or family member?
If you do, you shouldn’t be embarrassed. According to experts, little rituals like this add richness to our lives and are good for our mental health.
In “Why You Should Make Time for Oddball Rituals,” Jancee Dunn explains how you can create your own. Here is how the article begins:
My husband and I have developed a little ritual over the years. When one of us takes a trip, the other will make enchiladas when we’re reunited.
We’ve been making “Welcome Home Enchiladas” for so long that we can’t remember how it started (or why they must be chicken and green chile). But I look forward to them every time I go away.
Rituals, large and small, have existed throughout human history, said Dimitris Xygalatas, a professor of anthropology at the University of Connecticut and author of “Ritual: How Seemingly Senseless Acts Make Life Worth Living.” From handshakes to wishes on a star, he said, rituals are acts regularly repeated in a specific manner (unlike traditions, which are customs or beliefs passed from one generation to the next).
Rituals can be religious or secular; they can range from traditional to offbeat. But even the small ones add richness to our lives, said Michael Norton, a professor of business administration at Harvard and author of the upcoming book “The Ritual Effect: From Habit to Ritual, Harness the Surprising Power of Everyday Actions.”
Life is full of uncertainty, Dr. Norton added, and rituals help us “insert some regularity into the process.” There’s evidence that they also alleviate performance anxiety, deepen relationships and make us feel more in control.
The beauty of establishing a ritual is that it’s easy. You simply decide to do it. Here’s how.
She then goes on to suggest several ways to create your own meaningful rituals by being creative and considering overlooked milestones and events.
Students, read the entire article and then tell us:
Do you have a few “oddball rituals” you already observe, either on your own or with others? What are they, and why and when do you practice them?
What do they do for you? For instance, do they deepen your relationships or help you feel more in control? Why do you think you value them?
Where did your favorite rituals come from? Did you grow up observing them with your parents or siblings? Have you invented any with friends or with a significant other? As part of a team or club? Do any of the rituals you observe have an interesting origin story?
This article invites you to be creative and create new rituals. What ritual might you start practicing, whether to mark a tiny milestone, to celebrate something tiny you think needs attention, to strengthen a relationship or for any other reason? If you don’t have ideas yet, you might take a look at what others have posted. Might one of those ideas work for you? Why?
Students 13 and older in the United States and Britain, and 16 and older elsewhere, are invited to comment. All comments are moderated by the Learning Network staff, but please keep in mind that once your comment is accepted, it will be made public and may appear in print.
Find more Student Opinion questions here. Teachers, check out this guide to learn how you can incorporate these prompts into your classroom.
