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Difference between ritual and routine


The difference between habits, routines and rituals

Anne-Laure Le Cunff

•   Reading time: 5 minutes

As much as we wish for each day to be different, the cycle of repeating the same actions day after day is pretty common. Habits and routines are an important part of our lives. Making your bed in the morning, that first cup of coffee, grabbing a croissant on your way to work, listening to your favourite podcast on the train.

And while we tend to use the words “habit” and “routine” interchangeably, they both mean two distinct things. Understanding their definitions can help you design good routines and build good habits.

Shades of consciousness

The main difference between habits and routines is how much aware and intentional you are. A habit usually manifests itself as an automatic urge to do something, often triggered by a particular cue. The stronger the connection between the trigger and the habit, the more ingrained the habit.

Waking up, commuting, walking past a particular store, starting a meeting at work are all common cues that can trigger actions such as drinking coffee, buying a croissant, or smoking a cigarette.

In contrast, routines require deliberate practice. Making your bed in the morning, going to the gym, going for a hike every Sunday, meditating are all routines that require to keep on consciously practicing them or they eventually die out. Your brain will not go into automatic mode and walk you to the gym for your weekly HIIT class.

Both habits and routines are regular and repeated actions, but habits happen with little or no conscious thought, whereas routines require a higher degree of intention and effort.

With enough time and the right techniques, routines can turn into habits, but it is not an automatic, unconscious process. One needs to want to turn a routine into a habit for the process to happen.

Turning habits into routines

Much has been written about habit creation—like many, I have read the excellent Atomic Habits by James Clear, as well as the original The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg. In the end, it boils down to the classic habit loop.

  1. Cue: choose a trigger to tell your brain to start the routine you want to turn into a habit.
  2. Routine: execute the routine, ideally starting with a small, actionable chunk. Don’t go for an overly ambitious new routine from the get go.
  3. Reward: do something enjoyable, which will tell your brain that this particular habit loop is worth remembering for the future.

The hardest part is obviously to execute the routine right after the cue. As we discussed, habits are automatically triggered by cues, whereas routines require a conscious effort on your part.

This is why you can use some tricks to make it slightly easier to go from cue to routine and build a lasting habit loop. A popular one is habit stacking: designed by Professor BJ Fogg, this approach consists in taking baby steps by anchoring a new tiny habit to an existing one. For example: “After brushing my teeth, I will change into my workout clothes and walk for ten minutes. ”

If you are interested in productivity, you’re probably already aware of these hacks. But how can you take it to the next level and go beyond creating high level routines?

From routine to ritual

The difference between a routine and a ritual is the attitude behind the action. While routines can be actions that just need to be done—such as making your bed or taking a shower—rituals are viewed as more meaningful practices which have a real sense of purpose.

Rituals do not have to be spiritual or religious. What matters is your subjective experience. With rituals, you are fully engaged with a focus on the experience of the task, rather than its mere completion.

Applying mindfulness to daily routines is a great way to create rituals for yourself.

  • Showering can become an opportunity to become mindful of your body and its connection to your mind. Focus on the sensation of the water on your skin and the way your thoughts seem to flow more easily.
  • Research shows that mindful eating can indeed improve the flavour of your food, making you feel more satisfied. Pay attention to the textures and the way you chew.
  • Even cleaning the house can be used as a way to become more aware of your body movements and sensations in your muscles and joints.

One of my favourite rituals is journaling. It’s one of the cornerstones of my mental gym. Science has shown that just writing one thing you’re grateful for can have significantly positive effects on wellbeing.

Whatever the ritual, mindfulness is a very powerful tool to design your life and avoid living it on autopilot.


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Ritual vs. Routine: The Difference & Why it Matters

September 09, 2022

The idea of transforming your routines into rituals is a great place to start if you’re looking to be more present and mindful. But many people aren’t sure what the difference between ritual and routine is. 

With terms like ‘mindfulness’ having been tossed around by the wellness community for a while now, most people think that a ritual consists of something like sitting down for a 20-minute meditation every single day. While great in theory, this simply isn’t practical for the average person. 

The reality is that you don’t actually need more time to transform your routines into rituals. You just need a different mindset. To understand why, let’s dive into the difference between rituals vs. routines. 

The difference between ritual and routine

What is a routine?

The dictionary defines a routine as “a sequence of actions regularly followed; a fixed program. ” In other words, it’s something that’s consciouslydone. For example, a skincare routine might involve the conscious thought to wash your face, apply a serum, then moisturize, but that doesn’t make it a meaningful practice. Although you’re aware that you’re doing this routine and you’re aware that you’re doing it for a reason (i.e. skincare results), your mind is not on the activity itself, just the outcome. This makes it easy to do nothing more than just go through the motions. 

What is a ritual?

A ritual is defined as being a “ceremonial act or action.” Take that same routine as above—washing your face, applying a serum, then moisturizing—but this time, you’re mindful and intentional. 

You wash your face, feeling the texture of the facewash on your face and hands.

You apply the serum, appreciating the nourishing benefits it provides as it sinks into your skin.

You moisturize, noticing the soothing coolness of the moisturizer as your hands hug your face.

Ritual involves thinking about the purpose behind the process. Routines may involve a focus on a particular outcome, but rituals focus on the process and purposebehindthe routine. Practicing mindfulness turns routines into rituals, achieving the same tangible outcomes as a routine while adding the benefit of mind-body-soul connection and fostering beauty from the inside out.

What about habits?

When comparing ritual vs. routine vs. habit, habits are the most subconscious act we make. 

  • Rituals are done with mindfulness
  • Routines are done consciously
  • Habits are done unconsciously

Habits are more automatic, something we do without thinking, and are often triggered by a particular cue. Routines and habits both hold the potential to be rituals with a little intentionality. 

Why are rituals important?

As you might expect, the terms ‘ritual’ and ‘routine’ are often used interchangeably, especially in the skincare space. But as you can see, they actually are different—and the difference is important.

Research has shown that a daily ritual can offer several psychological advantages such as helping us stay present, giving us a sense of control, and reducing anxiety. Rituals can enhance your experiences and allow you to approach life as a celebration.

Knowing the difference between ritual vs. routine allows you to incorporate both into your lives where necessary. Not everything can be ritualized, and that’s OK. Sometimes you just need to get stuff done! But when we choose to make something into a ritual, it can help us slow down and find happiness in the small things. 

How to revamp your everyday routines

If you’re looking to revamp your tried-and-true routines and turn them into daily rituals, it’s not as hard as it sounds. Some of the most natural spaces where we can practice rituals occur in the morning and evening, typically when we’re getting ready for the day or winding down before bed. Since we tend to take care of our personal hygiene during that time, skincare is a perfect element of your day to transform from a routine into a ritual.

Skincare ritual examples 

If you find yourself struggling to create your own meaningful practices, try some of AAVRANI’s guided rituals, linked here and below. Note how you feel before and after you complete each one, then incorporate the elements you like into your daily routines until they become rituals! 

1. 
Mask & Meditate: 

You can use any face mask you’d like, but we recommend the Glow Activating Exfoliator. Try to use all of your senses during this exercise. First, observe your face mask and notice the colors, scent, and textures of your mask. Notice the packaging, feel the weight of the product in your hands. Apply the mask in an even layer while noticing your breath. Pay attention to each inhale and exhale as you feel the sensation of the Jojoba beads gently exfoliating your skin. When you rinse off the mask, bring your awareness to the temperature of the water as it removes the product.  

2. 
Nourish Skin & Soul: 

We like to use our Balance Restoring Serum or Vitamin C Treatment for this practice, depending on what our skin is craving in the moment. As you go through the ritual of applying your serum, say a few affirmations, either out loud or to yourself. Some of our favorites include:

I have everything within me already 

My potential is infinite

I have the courage to challenge expectations 

3. 
Moisturize & Move:

 Use your favorite moisturizer, like our Moisturizing Hydra-Cream. Apply your moisturizer and, as you let it settle into your skin, practice a little face yoga. The movements are simple but can help strengthen the muscles on your face, stimulate blood flow, boost collagen production, and delay the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Harness the power of routines with AAVRANI

Exploring the benefits of ritual vs. routine? Ready to transform your daily actions into something more meaningful? Since skincare is one of the easiest parts of your day to ritualize, it’s not surprising that so many people find skincare therapeutic. 

AAVRANI’s skincare products help provide the perfect combination of an efficient, effective modern-day routine and meaningful, purposeful ancient, all-natural rituals.

Need an easy place to get started? Try our Turmeric Ritual Set, composed of four powerful steps that work together to achieve your most radiant glow. Or check out our Ayurvedic Beauty Discover Set (launching October 2022)!

Find your perfect skincare ritual with AAVRANI. Shop our products or take the AAVRANI Skin Quiz to get started today.

 

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What is the difference between habit, routine and ritual and how to get the most out of them

March 20, 2022 Productivity

This knowledge will help you fill every day with meaning and increase your personal productivity.

No matter how much we would like each day to be different, we still repeat the same actions for weeks and months. After all, routine and habits are an integral part of life. It is absolutely natural for us to make our bed in the morning, drink coffee, chew something on the way to work and listen to music in the car or subway. nine0003

We consider the words "habit" and "routine" almost synonymous, but they mean completely different things. And if we understand exactly how they differ from each other, then we will learn much better to organize our every day and plan for the future.

What is the difference between habit and routine

The main difference between these concepts lies in our awareness and intentions. Both habits and routines are regular, repetitive activities. But habits are unconscious, while routine requires effort. nine0003

A habit is an urge to do something that automatically arises due to a certain trigger. For example, waking up is a trigger for the coffee drinking habit, and getting to work is a trigger for the listening to music habit. The stronger the connection between the trigger and the habit, the stronger it becomes ingrained.

Routine, on the contrary, requires consistent effort. Making the bed, going to the gym, meditating are all part of the routine. We need to do this regularly, otherwise such actions will simply disappear from our lives - the brain does not automatically trigger them, unlike habits. nine0003

Over time, with the right techniques, routine activities can be turned into habits. All you need is to really want it and follow a certain algorithm.

How to Turn a Routine into a Habit

Many have studied how habits are formed, such as James Clear in Atomic Habits or Charles Duhigg in The Power of Habit. But the main idea of ​​most authors comes down to the classic “habit loop”. It consists of three elements:

  • Signal. This is a trigger that gives the brain a command to start acting. Find something that will nudge you into the action you want to turn into a habit.
  • Template. This is the action itself. At first, it is better to choose something as simple and easy as possible, and postpone ambitious tasks for later.
  • Reward. Anything that gives you pleasure. Thanks to the reward at the end, the brain will understand that this “habit loop” is worth remembering for the future. nine0028

The hardest part is to execute the pattern right after the signal. But there are a few secrets that help to quickly introduce habits into our lives, such as the Habit Stack technique. It consists in adding new actions to those already fixed. Let's say meditate for 10 minutes every morning right after brushing your teeth.

Get to know the details 💡

  • What is a stack of habits and how it makes life better

How to turn a routine into a ritual

The difference between routine and ritual lies in our attitude to each action. Routine is something we do because we have to, like washing dishes or taking a shower before bed. A ritual is a meaningful practice that has a specific purpose. The most important thing in it is our subjective experience, when we focus on our sensations and feelings, and not on the need to complete some action. nine0003

To create useful rituals, you need to start performing routine actions consciously. For example, a morning shower provides a great opportunity to connect with your body, feel the water droplets on your skin and focus on your sensations.

Every meal can be turned into a ritual - it is enough to pay attention to the texture of the food and its taste. A review of 24 studies found that mindful eating makes food taste better and we enjoy it more. Even cleaning the apartment can become a ritual if you focus on the movements of your body and the sensations in your muscles and joints. Another win-win option is to keep a diary. Scientists have proven that writing down at least one thank you every day makes you feel better. nine0003

It doesn't matter which ritual you choose. The main thing is that it fills your life with meaning and helps you get out of the “autopilot” mode.

Read also 🧐

  • 5 myths that prevent us from forming good habits
  • 18 applications that will help turn the routine into a game
  • Why you need a morning ritual and how to start it

Habr, routines, rituals / Sudo Null IT News . Habits and established routines are an important part of our lives: make a bed in the morning, drink a cup of coffee, buy a sweet bun on the way to work, get stuck in the Habr feed, etc.

nine0003

Although we tend to use the words "habit" and "routine" interchangeably, they mean two different things. Understanding their essence will help develop an optimal daily routine and form good habits.

Shades of Consciousness

The main difference between habits and routines is how consciously and purposefully you act.

A habit usually manifests itself as an automatic desire for action triggered by a certain signal. The stronger the link between cue and habit, the more ingrained the habit is. nine0003

Getting up in the morning, driving to work, walking past a certain store, starting a meeting at work are all common signals that can trigger a desire for coffee, a pastry, or a cigarette.

In contrast, a routine routine requires purposeful practice.

Making your bed in the morning, going to the gym, walking every Sunday, meditating - all these are a series of actions that require conscious practice, otherwise sooner or later they will fade and stop. Your brain won't go into automatic mode and take you to the gym for a weekly workout. nine0003

Both habits and routines are regular and repetitive activities, but habits are implemented with little or no conscious thought, while any routine requires a greater level of intention and effort.

Given enough time and the right technique, a routine can become a habit, but it is not an automatic, unconscious process. In order for the routine to become a habit, it is necessary the desire of a person to turn routine processes into a habit. nine0003

Turning habits into habitual routines

There is an excellent book written about creating habits, Atomic Habits ( Atomic Habits ). If you try to make a summary, then it all comes down to the following loop:

  1. Signal: select a trigger that tells your brain to start doing the routine that you want to turn into a habit.

  2. Routine: Follow a routine routine, ideally starting with a small, manageable piece. Don't set out on the overly ambitious task of shaping a new routine from the outset. nine0003

  3. Reward: Do something nice that tells your brain that this particular cycle of actions is worth remembering as a habit for the future.

The most difficult thing, of course, is to perform the necessary sequence of actions immediately after the signal. As we have said, habits are automatically caused by signals, while routine processes require conscious effort on your part.

That's why you can use some tricks to ease the transition from cue to routine and form a strong habit loop. A popular technique is the Habit Forming Method developed by Professor BJ Fogg. nine0003

His approach is to take small steps, linking a new small habit to an existing one. For example: "After brushing my teeth, I'll change into workout clothes and walk for ten minutes."

If you're interested in productivity, you probably already know about these hacks. But how do you take it to the next level and go beyond just creating high-level habits?

From Routine to Ritual

The difference between routine and ritual lies in the attitude behind these activities. While a routine can be an action that simply needs to be done - such as making a bed or taking a shower - rituals are seen as more meaningful actions that serve a real purpose. nine0003

Rituals need not be spiritual or religious. Your subjective experience matters. In rituals, you are fully involved in the process, focusing on experiencing the task rather than simply doing it.

Applying mindfulness to daily activities is a great way to form your own rituals.