How Skipping My Daily Practices Impacts My Mood: A Lesson from My Dog

It’s easy to underestimate the power of routine. Life’s demands and distractions can disrupt even the most well-intentioned habits. For me, practices like breathwork, meditation, and physical movement are not just items on a to-do list—they’re foundational pillars that support my mental and emotional well-being. When I skip these practices, I notice a distinct shift in my mood, much like the way my dog becomes restless and irritable when she’s not exercised.

Understanding the Importance of Routine

For both humans and animals, daily practices establish a sense of balance and structure. My daily routine includes breathwork to center my mind, meditation to clear mental clutter, and physical exercise or yoga to ground myself physically. These activities help me navigate the day with patience and presence. However, when I don’t prioritize them, I find myself slipping into a state of irritability, frustration, and restlessness. The impact is surprisingly similar to what I observe in my dog.

Dogs, like people, thrive on routine. They rely on regular meals, consistent walks, and predictable interaction. If my dog doesn’t get her daily exercise or playtime, her energy builds up, and she channels it into behaviors that scream, “I need to move!”—jumping, barking, or even racing in circles around the house. This hyperactivity is a physical manifestation of pent-up energy. What’s interesting is that I see a similar phenomenon within myself. When I neglect my own rituals of self-care, my mind starts racing, my body feels tense, and I struggle to sit still. Without a proper outlet for release, this energy shifts into negative emotions.

The Build-Up of Energy

One of the common themes between my dog’s experience and my own is how unspent energy manifests. For my dog, it’s physical energy that needs an outlet. When I take her for a walk, play fetch, or let her run around outside, she returns calmer and more content. The same dynamic plays out with my own daily practices.

Breathwork, meditation, and time on the mat aren’t just about staying healthy; they serve as intentional outlets for emotional and mental energy. Breathwork helps me focus inward, releasing anxiety or agitation through controlled breathing patterns. Meditation allows me to observe my thoughts and emotions without becoming overwhelmed by them. Getting on the mat, whether for yoga or another form of physical exercise, channels my physical energy in a purposeful way. When I skip these practices, I end up carrying that accumulated tension throughout my day, and it usually doesn’t take long for it to bubble up in the form of impatience or frustration.

Identifying the Early Signs

I can usually tell when I’ve skipped too many days of my routine. Just like my dog starts pacing or acting out when she hasn’t had enough exercise, I notice subtle shifts in myself. The early signs are small—a short fuse, an underlying sense of restlessness, or a pervasive feeling of being “off.” Even simple tasks begin to feel overwhelming, and interactions that wouldn’t normally bother me suddenly irritate me. I lose the ability to respond thoughtfully and instead react impulsively.

It’s easy to rationalize skipping these practices. “I don’t have time for yoga today.” “I’m too tired to meditate.” “I’ll do some breathwork tomorrow.” Yet, each time I forgo these routines, I’m depriving myself of essential tools that keep me balanced. I’m also depriving those around me of the best version of myself.

The Ripple Effect

Just as an under-exercised dog can be disruptive in a household, my lack of self-care has a ripple effect on those around me. When my dog is hyperactive, she demands attention in ways that are hard to ignore. Similarly, when I’m irritable, I tend to project that frustration onto others. A small annoyance can become a point of conflict; a minor inconvenience feels monumental. And just as giving my dog a good run changes her demeanor, returning to my daily practices transforms mine. After a deep breathwork session, I find my thoughts more organized. A meditation practice helps me reclaim my patience. A solid yoga session leaves me feeling centered and strong.

Prioritizing Self-Care

What I’ve learned from observing my dog is that her hyperactivity isn’t a sign of a problem but a signal of a need. In the same way, my own irritability is a signal that I’m neglecting something essential. The solution isn’t to push through or suppress those feelings but to acknowledge that I need to return to my foundational practices.

Reintegrating these rituals into my day, even in small ways, makes a noticeable difference. Sometimes, it’s as simple as taking five minutes to breathe deeply before a meeting or stretching for ten minutes to release some tension. Just as a quick walk can settle my dog’s nerves, these brief but intentional practices can restore my sense of calm and balance.

A Commitment to Balance

I’ve come to view my daily practices not as chores, but as acts of self-respect and kindness. Just as I would never skip taking my dog out for exercise because I know how it impacts her well-being, I’m learning to be as consistent and considerate with myself. Skipping these practices may seem harmless in the moment, but the consequences accumulate.

By treating my breathwork, meditation, and time on the mat as non-negotiable parts of my day, I ensure that I’m showing up as the best version of myself. When I honor these commitments, I not only stay grounded, but I also model what it means to prioritize self-care—both for myself and for those around me. And just like my dog, when I get what I need, I’m calmer, more focused, and ultimately happier.