Especially when the days start out dark and it’s dark before suppertime, starting your day in a good mood can go far to maintaining your optimism all day. So here are 5 ways to start every day happy from happiness experts:
Grow a healthy habit
Choose a healthy habit and link it to something you already do every morning. Habit linking is the easiest way to grow a healthy one. As an example, if you make your bed every day, combine making your bed with a couple minutes of meditation.
Eliminate screens from your sleep room
Scrolling is a sure-fire way to disrupt sleep and kill a good mood. If you don’t have your phone in your bedroom, then it will be a while before the good mood is gone. So, protect your sleep hours and don’t pick up your phone until after your morning rituals.
Talk to yourself
Psychiatrist Murray Zucker, chief medical officer of the health care platform Happify notes that many people talk to themselves in their head. Continue to do that, but make it a positive conversation. And use your own name while you’re giving yourself a pep talk. Give yourself a lift.
Reach out to a friend
And after you’ve done your usual morning routine, reach out to a friend. Just say hi and tell someone you’re thinking about them. It doesn’t have to be a long, drawn-out conversation. But maintaining your social connections is essential for happiness. Or, as research suggests, sending good thoughts to someone can also improve your mindset, optimism and happiness.
Be thankful
Studies have shown that a daily gratitude practice increases optimism and resilience. It can even improve physical health. Whether you write in a gratitude journal, drop a note in a “Thank You” box, or simply think of things and people you’re grateful for, you’ll start every day happy.
