5 Happiness-Boosting Things To Do To Start Your Year Off Right, According to Positive Psychologists

Surprise, surprise: Sleep has a major influence on your mood and well-being. Without adequate sleep, you will forever be stuck in the reactionary patterns that govern your unconscious habits. And one of the first things to atrophy when we are chronically sleep deprived is our mood regulation. To improve it, you need to emphasize quality, quantity, and consistency. All three factors matter in repairing long-held patterns of chronic sleep disruption. As if we all needed one more reason to prioritize shut-eye, consider this it.

Aim for 15 minutes of movement twice a day. For an added boost, do it outside to get sunlight therapy at the same time (two for the price of one). Who doesn’t love a BOGO? It doesn’t require a huge time commitment in order to get the mood boost from movement either. If you do decide to squeeze in your feel-good, endorphin-boosting exercise outside, just make sure you also apply your SPF.

A mindfulness-slash-stillness practice can have revolutionary effects on your happiness levels . The biggest ROI in terms of cost, time, and outcome, by far, is a stillness or meditation practice of some sort. Mindfulness is proven to increase mood, improve sleep, decrease anxiety, and create more sustainable focus and concentration. If you’re struggling to start a meditation practice, think of things you’re grateful for, then extend feelings of kindness out to others. This is sometimes called loving-kindness meditation, and it can be an easy access point for people who struggle to sit still.