It’s almost September! I can’t get over how fast this year is moving or how many obstacles this year has thrown my way (more on that later). Since we’ll be hosting the awesome Project Build Happiness program in September, I wanted to give you a few things you can do daily to increase your happiness!!
Are you ready to make everyday a little happier? Check out these five things you can do every day to boost your happiness!
Brain Dump
It may not sound pretty, but a brain dump can really help free your mind. A brain dump is the chance to get everything that’s bothering you out of your head and onto paper. This can take many different forms but I’m going to focus on my favorite way of doing it today. You’ll need paper, pen, and possibly a timer for this activity. Sit down for five minutes and simply write down everything that you have to do. No task is too small or too big to be added to the list. Need to call your mom? Put it on the list. Need to do the dishes? On the list. Need to write a blog post? On the list. That’s it – that’s all you have to do for a brain dump! (The next step would be to organize these items into an actionable to do list, but that’s a post for another day.)
Exercise
I don’t think I’ve ever met someone who said they regretted a workout. I have met several people who regretted not working out though. There’s something about working out that has the ability to put a smile on your face. Some people say it releases endorphins but I personally think the true power behind exercise is that it gives you a block of time to focus on yourself rather than the world around you. It’s also a great way to get out your frustrations. Boxing practice anyone?
Be Creative
I love being creative. I probably wouldn’t be a blogger and a teacher if I didn’t have a crazy pull for all things creative. I don’t really care what creative measure you choose to take in a day – all of them are going to lead you somewhere happier. For me, crafts, writing, and creating things on the computer all put a smile on my phase. For my husband, it’s drawing and playing his guitar that truly make his smile shine. Take some time to experiment (which can be loads of fun by the way!) and figure out which creative endeavor has a crazy pull over you.
Journal
There is so much I can say about journaling and many different forms that journals can take. You can choose to write about your day, show gratitude, or even doodle daily. You can buy a fancy journal with prompts or you can freewrite each day on whatever you find laying around. It doesn’t really matter how you choose to journal, it matters that you do. Journaling and writing things down is a great way to work through our problems and frustrations. Just like the brain dump from above, journaling allows us to get our thoughts down on paper and out of our head. Some thoughts may be stubborn and linger in our heads but others will happily jump onto the paper and disappear into the past. Want to start journaling and being creative but don’t want to spend a lot of money? We’ve combined creativity and journaling into our exclusive Happiness Journal! By clicking the link below, this journal will find its way into your email inbox where you can then print it out and boost your happiness. (Oh and did we mention that we’re giving it away free as a part of Project Build Happiness? – You can get the journal by signing up for the email list or by joining the Facebook group.)
Meditate
I’m not going to lie. This is not my favorite of the daily routines I’ve shared with you. It is however one that can be very effective which is why I’m including it on the list. I have several friends who use meditation regularly and they’ve had fantastic results with it. Meditation is all about focusing on oneself and blocking out the world around you. Even if you just set aside five minutes a day to focus on your inner self, I’m sure you’ll see a spike in your happiness as you get in touch with that inner smile of yours.
What is your favorite daily routine for promoting happiness?
