In her “Happiness Lab” podcast, Yale professor Dr. Laurie Santos shares about Harvard professors Dr. Mike Norton and Dr. Francesca Gino. Dr. Norton and Dr. Gino study the power of ritual. [https://www.happinesslab.fm/season-2-episodes/episode-3-the-power-of-a-made-up-ritual] In one study they brought in groups of ten participants and told them that their names would be placed in a lottery and one of them would win $200. Before a name was drawn, each of them had to write about what they would do with that money if they won it. Then, one name was drawn and that person was given $200. The winner was allowed to leave. The remaining group was pretty upset. Some groups were then given a made up ritual to do: write or draw on a piece of paper how you are feeling, sprinkle some salt on the paper, then tear the paper into pieces. The study found that people who did the ritual felt significantly less sorrow than people who did not do the ritual.
In another study, subjects were asked to sing a song on a Karaoke machine, “Don’t Stop Believing.” Some subjects were given a ritual to do before singing. They were asked to write or draw how they were feeling about their upcoming singing performance, sprinkle salt on the paper, and then crumple it up and throw it away. [https://static1.squarespace.com/static/55dcde36e4b0df55a96ab220/t/5888e2696a4963b99af49c92/1485365866893/Don%27t+stop+believing.pdf] Shockingly, subjects who performed the ritual sang more accurately (the karaoke machine could measure accuracy) and reported lower feelings of anxiety than subjects who didn’t!
The studies show that rituals can have a significant impact on well-being, especially in circumstances of loss or stress. How much more is this true when it comes to rituals rooted in the Christian faith! Christianity is filled with rituals, ancient and modern, that may be needed more than ever: saying “grace” before a meal, making the sign of the cross, praying at specified times during the day, reciting the Lord’s Prayer, practices surrounding hospitality, the taking of communion, a daily “quiet time” of reading Scripture, the use of prayer beads, the lighting of candles, etc. Most spiritual disciplines can be thought of as rituals as well. Engaging in any of these, especially during these COVID-19 times may be especially meaningful. Not only will they address stress and loss, they will ground and center you more deeply.
