Happy habits unlock the secret to living your best life. No one wakes up in the morning hoping to have a terrible day. It’s a choice we make to look at each situation we find ourselves in and decide what we will do to change the outcome. Practicing more happy habits is a wonderful way to help us make better decisions and to ultimately live a calm, more peaceful and happier lifestyle overall.
1. Daily Meditation
Being able to sit quietly for 10-20 minutes a day is such a powerful way to connect with yourself and your intention. This is a wonderful way to set the mood for your day and immediately put yourself in the best possible head space.
2. Plenty of Sleep
Ever get 3 hours of sleep and then try to be your happy, chipper self all day the next day? Yeah not happening. I am not myself at all when I don’t get a full night’s sleep. Which is why I started going to bed earlier. My happiness wasn’t worth forcing myself to squeeze in just one more episode of whatever Netflix show I was binging at the time. Try to head to bed an hour earlier than normal and feel more rested in the am 🙂
3. Exercise Regularly
Waking up earlier in the mornings to fit in a sweaty cardio session or a long yoga practice has been one of the best things I could have ever done for myself. I feel more awake and more energized so I opt for another glass of water instead of another cup of coffee. I also feel far less stressed throughout the day and make better decisions at work. The benefits just seem to go on and on. If you haven’t already started a daily exercise routine I highly recommend finding a form of exercise that works best for you and get started. No one ever says “I worked out today and I really regret it.” So get up and get sweaty.
4. Read More
Get lost in a world out of this universe. Follow your favorite characters on an epic thrill-seeking adventure. Reading can help take our minds off of the craziness from the day and is a wonderful way to unwind at night. I love to cozy up in the evenings after a long day of work and let my mind wander off into a good book.
5. Make the Most Out of Now
Now is the only time that we have complete control of. We can’t change the past and tomorrow is in the future. All we have is this moment right now to make a difference. To start healthier habits. To open our minds and enjoy where we are. To pay more attention to the beauty around us.
A few ways you can practice this by keeping your phone in your pocket while you go for a walk. Really listen when having conversations with your friends and significant others. Being more mindful and aware will bring so much more clarity into your life.
6. Disconnect
Most of us are on our computers all day for work and then on our phones before, after and all times in between. Try to find some time in your day when you can totally disconnect from everything for a bit. Sit down and enjoy your lunch, really taste the food. Or read a few chapters of a good book. Let’s give our eyes a little break every now and then so we can recharge.
7. Reconnect with Nature
One of my favorite happy habits is to get outside and get some sunshine and fresh air. It’s a little chilly where I’m at, but I still make it a point to get outside and do some hiking or even just go for a walk around the neighborhood. Studies have shown that even just getting outside for a few minutes each day helps relieve stress. So the next time you feel like taking a little break head outside for some fresh air and grab some vitamin D while you’re at it.
8. Take in More Positive Information
It’s important to keep up with current events and be aware of the world around us, but sometimes this can feel like negativity overload. Replacing some of this negative news for more upbeat and uplifting information can be extremely beneficial for our minds. Try listening to a positive podcast or a motivational speech on YouTube. Listening to something new can create unintentional waves of inspiration.
9. Take Breaks
So many of us these days are working from home on our computers. I know it can be easy to get caught up in work and forget to take some time to get up and move. But try to get up for a few minutes every couple of hours. Do some deep stretching. Your back will seriously thank you.
10. Practice Self Love
Take some to practice some self love. You worked hard all day and now it’s time to do something nice for yourself. Pop on a face mask, run a hot bubble bath, call a friend or go out for coffee. Anything that gets you excited. You’ve been doing an amazing job of applying these happy habits into your life, not it’s time to reward yourself!
Always remember that it’s in these small steps that we take everyday that make the biggest difference. These daily happy habits overtime add up to leaps and bounds over the course of a week, a month, a year.
I’m so glad you have decided to take this time to make these positive changes in your life. Because you deserve to be happy. And making these small changes today will lead to a happier tomorrow.
Sending positive vibes your way.
Hydration Hacks: 20 Crazy Simple Tips to Drink More Water - An Hour of Secrets
[…] Sometimes, we get so caught up in our daily routines that we forget to drink water. I do this all the time. An easy way to get ahead of this is by setting hourly reminders on your phone. When that alarm goes off, take a sip (or a few). Before you know it, staying hydrated will become habit! […]
8 Ways to Stay Motivated to Workout in the Winter - An Hour of Secrets
[…] can be easy to get into this habit of feeling too tired, too cold to throw on those workout clothes. That’s why it’s so […]