10 Things I Do Daily That Make Me Feel Happier

The Covid-19 pandemic was experienced differently by everyone. For me, more time at home meant more time to slow down, focus on myself and really get into self-care in a way I hadn't had time for in the past. Now as we move away from that time in our lives and back into the fast-paced lifestyle of before, I'm desperately trying to hold onto the time I made for myself in lockdown.

Obviously, nobody's perfect, and I'd be lying to you if I said I managed to complete this checklist every single day. However, I'm learning that the more items off this list I can do, the happier I feel and the better my day goes.

1) Make the bed

I know this won't come as a new revelation to you, but making the bed sets your day off on the right tone. I was always taught to make my bed in the morning so no matter how awful my day is, I've got somewhere nice to relax when it's all over. My morning routine usually consists of getting up as soon as I wake up, making a cup of tea and getting back into bed. I find the idea that I can go back to bed makes it less difficult to get up, and once you've been up once, its easier to get up again.

2) Eat breakfast

We're all guilty of it - rushing around to get out and forgetting to get breakfast! But that is your first self-care test of the day. Allowing yourself 10 minutes to sit down and enjoy a bite to eat, even if it's just a bit of toast or some fruit - although bonus points for a fry-up! - is your first chance of the day to look after yourself. As someone who is often guilty of meeting the needs of others before my own, the conscious act of sitting down for breakfast helps me prioritise myself and begin the day as I mean to go on.

3) Move my body

We've all heard it before, endorphins are the 'feel-good' hormone, and while in lockdown, everyone had time for a Chloe Ting workout or a Joe Wicks HIIT class, now things are returning to 'normal', it may be harder to find time to move your body. On a good day, I love a yoga session, either at home, or at the gym, not only does it get me moving, but it's fab for calming a busy or anxious mind! However, when things get hectic, I try to incorporate exercise into my daily routine such as walking to university (or school/work) instead of driving or taking the bus, or taking a quick stroll in a lunch break or quiet 10 minutes. Something is always better than nothing!

4) Communicate with loved ones

My greatest source of happiness is my family and friends, so it's only logical that one of these 10 points is making sure I touch base with them as often as I can. On many occasions, I find myself too busy to call, and sometimes even too busy to text, and it's on these days that I tend to get bogged down by the small things. Therefore, I try very hard to make sure I call someone I love every day, even if it's only for 5 minutes while I'm walking somewhere - nothing is more important than the people we love the most.

5) Wear something that makes me feel like me

One huge thing that gets me down - and to be honest, gets us as a society down - is pretending to be someone I'm not. I've learnt over time that dressing a certain way or trying to look a certain way to feel accepted often has the opposite affect. Just be you and the people who love you for that will find you. Being unabashedly yourself can be hard, but once you have the courage to do it, the happiness you can unlock is amazing.

6) Do something productive

Self-care isn't always face-masks and candles, sometimes its putting in the work and doing things you don't always want to do so your future self can relax. Doing something like cracking on with a bit of work, hoovering your room or emptying your inbox can feel like a chore at the time, but when I'm struggling to get moving, I think of it as a favour to future me, and a sense of pride and satisfaction always puts me in a good mood.

7) Spend time outside

I adore being outdoors; swimming, hiking and camping are where I'm happiest, therefore I try to incorporate that into my life as often as possible. However, getting to the beach, or the woods or a campsite is not always possible mid-week in term-time. Therefore, simply getting fresh air is a good enough substitute until I can get where I really want to be. Going for a walk around town, or sitting in the garden, or worst-case scenario - opening a window, always make me feel better than staying indoors!

8) Take time to reflect

I'll be totally honest, this is the hardest of the ten for me to achieve. Setting aside specific time to reflect on my day is not something I manage to do often. Many failed attempts at journaling and meditation have led me to where I am now - this blog. Although it's not quite as personal as a journal or a diary, it allows me to set aside a designated proportion of the week to my favourite hobby - writing! - and encourages me to reflect on myself, my lifestyle and my place in society in a new way every week.

9) Balance out my day

As an ambivert, the best way for me to recharge my batteries is to shift my social setting. If I've spent the day alone, I will try to do something sociable in the evening, but if I've spent the day in university, at work or with a large group of people, I often find retreating to a quiet place makes me happiest. Work out the best way for you to charge your batteries and then spend more time doing it!

10) Pamper

All of these items are self-care, but my final tip for daily happiness is to look after yourself! I try to do one item of beauty-based self-care in the evening. Whether I take a bath, do a face-mask, paint my nails or deep-condition my hair, looking after myself in an apologetically vain way allows me to treat myself well, and helps me relax and sleep better to wake up tomorrow and do it all over again!

I hope these tips have inspired you to work out what it is that makes you happy. Look for the lovely small things in life and have a go at making your own list, and then try sticking to it!