Crafting your 2022 Daily Routine

No matter your goals and aspirations, the most important one should be to become happier in 2022. Two tears dealing with the coronavirus pandemic have been challenging for us all in one way or another. Right about the time when things began looking up, a new coronavirus variant arrived to change the course of our holiday plans.

With all we are facing in the world, and mainly if you are dealing with losing a job, a change in relationship, or even the loss of a loved one, working on your mental awareness and happiness may very well be your last thought. Though, it should be the first.

The benefits of happiness are endless. Those that make a conscious effort to maintain satisfaction are more successful, build better relationships, volunteer, are responsible, donate to worthy causes, and on and on. To sum it up, those that are happy positively contribute to society.

No matter your goals and objectives for 2022, happiness should be a priority on the list. How can you make this so? Well, there are endless answers, but let us focus on our ability to make significant changes to our daily routines. With all our daily obligations, we should mix in a bit of joy and take time to experience what provides us with a bit of pleasure. Whether riding a bike enjoying a coffee or tea, these small pleasures individually are insignificant, but collectively can become a mood changer with a daily routine. Below are six that we invite you to create a happiness list catered to you.

Our most significant piece of advice is to ease yourself into your day. If a morning routine is rushed, you will miss a step, forget something, and create unnecessary stress. Whether you are getting kids or family members ready for the day can also make things complicated. More reason for finding a few small joys that fit into your routine, even if waking up 15 minutes earlier helps you do so. Set yourself up with an environment that allows you to drink a cup of coffee or tea without being rushed. Enjoy a few minutes to be in the moment and enjoy the small pleasure of your first beverage of the day.

Depression and loneliness are bad for your soul, mindset, and well-being. Taking the opportunity to spend time with a loved one, or at least communicating with someone you care about, is a powerful method to acquire happiness. If everyone in your house is running in different directions each day, so much so that you barely see each other, or you live alone, take the time to contact a loved one every day. Whether by phone call, text message, or a FaceTime conversation. If you connect with loved ones daily, your life will be filled with joy.

What can be better for your spirits than laughter? Every day, each of us should experience a moment, conversation, or even a video that makes us laugh out loud. If you are struggling to find these moments, reach out to friends or family members and ask them to send funny jokes or Facebook and YouTube videos your way. Or try asking a friend to meet up after work for happy hour. Thirty minutes and one beverage will not send your day into a tailspin. The social environment it will create could be what makes your day.

Reading supports many benefits, including longevity, health, and mental acuity. Select a book that will pique your interest, a topic you will truly enjoy. The type of subject you look forward to spending time on and are bummed to stop reading. Whether history, true crime, science fiction, or even a business or self-help read, make sure it brings you joy.

Considering the winter months, not all locations allow for spending quality time outdoors, but if you can, do so. Spending time outside, getting outdoors, whether taking a walk, going for a run, biking or just spending time on your front porch can provide a bit of pleasure for most people. Even if only for fifteen minutes before heading back to what awaits you next. Experiencing nature clears the mind, widens our perspective, and helps us stay grounded.

We live in a world of connectivity that creates an “always-on” environment and mindset. Having some downtime will allow your brain to relax and possibly give you the clarity to work through feelings and problems you may be facing. More importantly, we need these moments to clear our minds, rest, and recharge. We are so much more productive after these breaks. Therefore, find joy with inactivity, be lazy for a bit in a way that works for you, and clear your head. You will be ready to face your tasks more positively afterward. Face it; you deserve it.