5 morning activities to help you feel happier

The morning is not for everyone (coffee). While there are those who have their morning routines under control, a large percentage of us don’t. Good or bad, our mornings set the tone for the day.

There is no way to get yourself to be cheerful and happy, but there are simple changes you can make to your morning routine that can change your attitude. Here are 5 morning activities that can help you feel happier:

Do something you love

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Waking up is usually a moment when you quickly add activities to prepare for your work day. Squeezing something happy into it can make a difference whether you’re listening to your favorite podcast on the way to work or listening to an audiobook while you make your coffee.

Put off morning habits that are tiresome

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Checking the phone first thing in the morning or answering emails before work can be stressful and get very grumpy. Shift these habits and add things that feel good to you before committing to your work assignments. Keep your phone out of range to avoid temptation and give yourself a few minutes to wake up.

Eat something

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Whether you are a breakfast person or not, eating something in the morning will make you feel better and more energetic, even if it’s just a snack. Something in the stomach (preferably with some protein) will prevent overreaction to annoyance and also keep you from having embarrassing Hangry episodes.

Meditate or exercise

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While getting up earlier than usual to sneak into a workout may be asking too much, the benefits are considerable. Even a 20-minute walk or bike ride can create dopamine and make you feel successful, which affects your work day.

If the exercise is too much, you can also try meditating a little. The more consistent you are in your meditation, the more benefits you will reap. Meditation doesn’t take up much of your time, you can do it right from your bed and it will give you much-needed peace and quiet before starting your day.

Plan your day

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If you’re a planner or enjoy making lists, planning your day can be fun and productive, and give you a semblance of control. Don’t overdo it with planning down to the last detail, but a loose outline will help you stay on top of things and make your day, especially the very busy one, less intimidating.