Good morning!
This is the second part of my series on the importance of routine during stressful and uncertain times. Part 1 discussed adapting routine and habits (called samskaras in yoga) using abhyasa and vairagya (persevering practice and non-attachment). Here, I want to discuss the importance of simplicity and consistency. The more we can simplify and create consistency, the more we can strengthen our nervous system and build resiliency.

Ayurveda, traditional Indian medicine, and the sister science to yoga, values daily routine (dinacharya) as one of its most important tools. Some of these routines are incredibly simple, such as splashing water on your face in the morning and eating regular meals at the same time each day. Don't underestimate the value of simple routines like these. They lay an important foundation upon which to build additional healthy and adaptive samskaras (habits or patterns).

In Ayurveda and in yoga, many important elements of our dinacharya happen early in the morning. With everything going on, this may be an ideal time to begin to cultivate a sadhana (daily spiritual practice). This may look like meditation, prayer, chanting, yoga asana (postures), pranayama (breathwork), journaling, being in nature, or mindfully drinking a cup of tea or coffee. There is no one right practice. There is no prescribed length of time. The only criteria is that it is daily (using abhyasa to create consistency is key here), is usually done first thing in the morning, and most importantly, helps you find meaning and purpose.

So I encourage you to tune into yourself and see what you might need at this time. Start your sadhana to help you recognize that what you need is already there within you. You have the strength you need to get through this. And use vairagya when it doesn't go as planned, knowing each day is a new day to start a new samskara.