Happiness Is…7 Simple Daily Actions That Boosts My Happiness Factor Every Day

Erika Fehrenbach Prell

Let’s get something clear, DreamChasers. Happiness is one of the most misunderstood emotions in our lives. And, because it is so misunderstood, the full potential of happiness is underutilized. I will be the first to admit that I am guilty of this, and I didn’t even realize it until I started being more intentional in my day-to-day life. 

Here’s the mistake I was making. Waiting for happiness to happen in my life instead of bringing the happiness intentionally into my life. It’s a slight difference but huge. Most of the time, we wait for happiness to happen to us with special events like birthdays or anniversaries or plans like vacations or getting together with friends. Those are happy things, don’t get me wrong, but they are a small fraction of our lives. You, and I, deserve to be happy every day, not just when happiness stumbles into our day-to-day. 

Here’s the game changing shift that is so simple to make. Decide to bring more happiness into your life. This requires only 2 ingredients...intentionality and mindfulness. Look at your everyday life. I am willing to bet you can find habits or behaviors you do routinely, things you infused into your daily routine because you enjoy them. They make you happy! But, you are mindlessly doing them, so it doesn’t boost your happy factor. 

Since an example often helps, here are my 7 simple daily actions that boost my happiness factor:

1. Morning journal - It took me a while to figure out the best system for me but now I have it. I take 5 minutes every morning to start my day with a boost of happiness. (Stay tuned on this system...it’s coming at you in the near future!)
   
2. Sippin’ that first cup of coffee - Nothing like that first sip in the calm of morning!
   
3. Get my move on - This is a new routine for me. I get at least 30 minutes of exercise done in the morning before Ethan is off to school. He plays with Lucy while I unplug and take care of me for 30 minutes. As a double dose of self care, I often pair this with my latest audiobook or favorite podcast.
   
4. Nap time is the best time - I’m referring to Lucy’s afternoon nap, lol, but sometimes I nap as well. Naps really are the best, aren’t they? Otherwise, I enjoy time to read, write, or do something else I enjoy.
   
5. After nap snuggles - My two year old, Lucy, is always super snuggly right when she wakes up. I just sit, snuggle, and soak it in.
   
6. Afterschool pick up - If you have hung out with us long enough, you may know this used to be a time I absolutely hated...the school carpool pick up lane. That is until I recognized it as an opportunity for me-time. Now, I look forward to this time to listen to my latest audiobook!
   
7. Reading before bed - On most nights, I end my night by reading. It’s the perfect end to my day as it helps me unwind, turn off my brain, and get me sleepy. The only time it fails is if I fall asleep mid-read and my Kindle smacks me in the face. Anyone else get rudely awakened in this fashion? Yeesh.
   

That was nothing earth shattering, right? That’s the point. These are habits and actions I do in my life of things I enjoy. They totally boost my happy factor with a little intentional mindfulness that I do these things because they make me happy. That is all I did differently! Instead of mindlessly sipping that coffee, I take a quick second to savor that first sip and, BAM! Happiness booster ignited!

Now, it’s your turn, DreamChaser! I guarantee you are already doing things every day that are potential happiness boosters. Take a few moments to make your own happy life booster list. Once you have this list, all you have to do is bring on the intentional and mindfulness! Starting tomorrow, because I trust you will not want to wait to up the happy factor, keep that list at hand. When you are about to perform one of the items on your happy life booster list, pause. Take a few seconds to become mindful of the action you are about to perform. Remind yourself how happy you feel when you get to (fill in the blank...drink coffee, go for a walk, read a book, take a shower). Then, enjoy the boost!
​Here’s to being more happy every day! Shine on!