THE POWER OF SMALL RITUALS

A special playlist in the morning. A weekly visit to the farmers market. A feel-good stretch during work. Little things help you make the most of every day.

- BY JENNIFER KING LINDLEY

ALMOST EVERY WEEK, Maryam Ajayi goes to her local farmers market to buy flowers. “I walk around, smelling the different types, touching their petals, seeing what emotions they spark,” she says. “I let my intuition guide me.” When she gets home, she arranges her flowers with care, making the process into, well, a bit of a thing. “It always leaves me feeling more grounded and joyful,” says Ajayi, founder and CEO of Dive in Well, an organization that promotes inclusivity in mental health and wellness. And the flowers’ impact is long-lasting: “When I look at them during the week, they remind me of nature, the good energy I’ve brought into my home.”

The word “ritual” may make you think of pomp and circumstance, like coronations and christenings, or mysterious ceremonies involving musky herbs and chanting. But rituals can also come in the form of smaller moments, like Ajayi’s. They can be as simple as spritzing on a favorite perfume every morning and channeling positive vibes for the day, or reading a go-to poem before bed every night and wishing yourself sweet dreams.

If that sounds a bit woo-woo, trust the science: Researchers are finding that simple rituals have measurable benefits, such as enhancing pleasure in activities, reducing anxiety, and strengthening relationships. And with a little mental energy, anyone can conjure this everyday magic.

What Makes Something a Ritual and Not Just a Habit

Our urge to create rituals is ancient, spanning cultures, religions, and time periods, says Michael Norton, PhD, a business administration professor at Harvard Business School and the author of