“If I pass this test, then I’ll be happy.” “If I get a promotion, then I’ll be happy.” “If I find a partner to love, then I’ll be happy.” “If I retire early, then I’ll be happy.” People often waste their lives expecting big picture moments to make them happy, but happiness is a choice that we can choose to make every single day. Studies have shown that one of the things that happy people have in common is a consistent daily routine. Today, we will share the benefits of a daily routine, how you can design it, and what we recommend including in it to achieve happiness.
The Benefits of a Daily Routine
One of the things that happy people have in common is that they have designed and implemented a daily routine. Research shows 40% of happiness is due to intentional activity. That means that people can change their happiness by up to 40% simply by what they choose to do every day. We understand that life can seem chaotic and uncontrollable. While there will be parts of your life beyond your control, having a daily routine provides stability and gives you something to look forward to. In addition to increasing your productivity, reducing stress, and setting you up for a day of success, a daily routine also reminds you to take time each day to recenter yourself so that you start and end on a positive note.How to Design a Daily Routine
When designing a daily routine, it is critical to align yourself with nature’s natural rhythms. You can reach maximum health and longevity by practicing a balanced lifestyle of periods of activity and periods of rest. By doing so, you will facilitate your body’s natural processes of detoxification, digestion, and healing. It is essential to be in tune with nature’s daily rhythms and its seasonal rhythms. You may have to modify your daily routine or schedule to stay in harmony with nature throughout the year. As you begin to practice your daily routine, I encourage you to look inward. Take note of how your routine is supporting your physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Remember that you can adjust your daily routine to cultivate best a lifestyle that helps you and your happiness.Suggestions for a Morning Routine
To start creating a daily routine, we recommend prioritizing the healthy actions you already consistently perform. For example, you may already brush your teeth, take a shower, and eat a healthy breakfast during the morning. In addition to those healthy habits, you may want to consider:- Drinking a glass of warm lemon water to get your digestive track going
- Practicing flexibility exercises or mindful movements to warm up the body
- Meditating and practicing breathing exercises to center yourself
- Setting your goals for the day by writing three goals or a to-do list
Suggestions for Throughout the Day:
After completing a successful morning routine, it is time to begin the day. Whether you go to work, stay-at-home parent, or something else, you should continue your daily routine throughout the day. It is here that a daily routine is highly individualized because everyone has a different schedule. If you are an office worker who sits at a desk all day, you may want to set a reminder to get up and walk around every couple of hours. If you are a stay-at-home parent, you might need to schedule “alone time” each day. If you are a student, you may need to set aside time before difficult classes to meditate and refocus. Despite what your day might entail, some of the things that happy people have in common include the following:- Making a connection with someone, whether it is family, friends, or a stranger
- Keeping a clean physical space, as a chaotic room can be stressful
- Connecting with your spirit, whether it is through religion, nature, or whatever, helps you feel balanced within yourself
Suggestions for an Evening Routine
As the day comes to an end, a consistent evening routine will not only set you up for a restful night’s sleep but also prepare you for the following day. For your evening routine, you may want to implement the following:- Eat a light dinner at least two hours before bedtime
- Sit quietly for five minutes after eating
- Walk for 5-15 minutes to aid digestion
- Enjoy light activity in the evening
- Minimize intense mental work and electronic stimulation
- Aim to be in bed with the lights off by 10:30 pm
- Once in bed, close your eyes, tune into your body, and breathe to easily fall asleep
- Practice calming breathing and gentle yoga
- Take a warm bath with lavender or other soothing scents
- Drink herbal teas or warm water
- Read inspirational or spiritual literature
- Journal. Recount the day’s events, create your to-do list for the following day, write down what you are grateful for
- Aim for a 10:30 pm bedtime with all lights and electronics off