Whether you realize it or not, you probably practice certain rituals every day of your life. First, to clarify, when we say rituals, we do not mean simple daily tasks like brushing your teeth or washing your dishes. Those are routines. The difference between rituals and routines is the attitude behind the action. A routine is a task performed out of necessity, and a person can do it without really thinking about it. A ritual, on the other hand, is far more purposeful. The purpose can vary from health to relaxation to entertainment. When a person is engaged in a ritual, it’s more about focusing on the experience than just accomplishing it.
Rituals not only help us become more aware ofthe present moment, but they can also reduce anxiety. Studies have shown that people about to perform a difficult task tend to have lower levels of anxiety if they perform a ritual before the task. This is because the repeated performance of a certain action can convince the human brain that everything is normal and predictable, even under uncertain circumstances. In other words, rituals bring a sense ofstability. This is why many famous sportspeople have well-known pre-competitionrituals. Spanish tennis legend Rafael Nadal, for example, has an on-court ritual of positioning his water bottles in a certain way. He states that it helps him gain a sense of order in the chaos of high-level competition.
With the calming effects of rituals, it is no wonder that so many people perform them every single day. Why not try out a new ritual yourself? Popular rituals which people perform every day include taking a walk, gardening, taking a bath before bed, or performing a series of stretches facing the sun.
1. According to the passage, which of the following is an example of a ritual?
(A)
There is a food stand near my home. I often buy my dinner there since it’s very convenient.
(B)
In addition to studying hard, I sleep with my notes under my pillow the night before the exam in order to get good grades.
(C)
As a runner, I do eight 100-meter runs every morning to increase my speed.
(D)
I always do my laundry on Sunday because that’s the only day when I don’t have to work.
2. Which word is the closest in meaning to “stability” in the second paragraph?
(A) Responsibility.
(B) Frustration.
(C) Hesitation.
(D) Security.
3. Which of the following can be inferred about rituals?
