How to be happy

1. Make sleep a priority. I warned you that this wasn’t going to be revolutionary but perhaps something I do sparks something for you.

You need five complete ninety-minute sleep cycles. That’s seven and a half hours of sleep each night.

I know for many, getting a night of good sleep is an ongoing struggle. I remember going through a period (it felt like an eternity) where I went from not being able to fall asleep to then not being able to stay asleep.

There were countless – and I mean countless – nights that I’d wake up, reach for my phone to see what time it was and sure as poop, 2:30am would be staring back at me.

Here is what I do to ensure I’m getting a good sleep:

* Close the blinds. I know this may be obvious to you, but I love waking up to the sunlight and liked to keep my window coverings open.

* Turn down the thermostat.

* Do a brain dump in your journal before bed. The amount of nonsense that is in my bedtime journal is next level embarrassing but better on paper than in my head.

* Take a bath & use 10 drops of lavender oil and/or diffuse lavender oil by your bed.

* I was gifted Sleepy from Lush and looooove it and I lather it on before bed.

* Buy a battery-operated clock for your bedside table and leave your phone charging in another room. THIS WAS HUGE for me. And before you plug it in for the night, turn off all your notifications.

* Do a meditation whilst you’re in bed. I put my air pods in and listen so that I don’t have to have my phone in my room.

* Support your liver. This is THEE most important one. Your quality of sleep is directly linked to your cortisol levels. If you’re waking up between 1-3am, it’s because your cortisol levels have spiked. Dandelion tea, Ashwagandha and Milk Thistle help support the liver. Check with a healthcare professional before taking anything.

2. Wake up a little earlier. There’s something magical about starting your day before the rest of the world gets up.
That being said: Getting a full sleep is more important than waking up earlier. If you’re having difficulty with sleep, skip this one until you’re getting a night of good sleep consistently.

3. A simple but heartfelt thank you.
When I open my eyes, I say “thank you”. Thank you for this day.
I’m so grateful for the bed I get to sleep in, the house I get to call my own.
For my five senses that allow me to move through this life independently and the ability to experience it fully.
For my organs that work without any assistance.
For my cozy pjs.
For the people in my life.
For the quarter I found at the gas station.
For the thoughtful card and gift Lauren gave me yesterday.
For the laugh my siblings and I had … you get the point. I do this in bed and while I make my way to the bathroom and I feeeeeel each one.
I’d much rather you say one thank you and feel it, than think of 20 with little to no emotion behind them.

4. Invest in lotions and potions that make you feel beautiful.
Choose things that make you feel like you’re performing a ritual for the goddess known as you.
I used to struggle to motivate myself to wash my face before bed (don’t judge) but now that I enjoy how it makes me feel, it takes zero effort to do.

You don’t have to use anything fancy. Just something that makes you feel good. Either the look of the bottles, the smell of the product, the way in which you have to apply it … whatever it is, choose what feels good for you.

5. Drink more water.
In the morning, after you brush your teeth, let water be the first thing you drink and make it into a game.

This one took forever to find something that worked which is embarrassing, really. You’d think drinking more water wouldn’t be so challenging but apparently, I was a cactus or camel in a previous life.
I’ve tried a bunch of different apps that remind/challenge/encourage you to drink more water. No luck.

But what did work for me was purchasing a 1.5L glass water bottle and every night before bed, I fill it up with water and leave it on the counter along with my supplements.

As an aside: Room temperature water seems to be better for pooping purposes.
Please invest in a glass bottle – it’s healthier and lessens your carbon footprint.

6a. Make time each day to quiet your mind.
Insight Timer is a free app you can use to help. Treat this like any other muscle in your body. It will build with time.

6b. Give your mind 10 minutes to think whatever thoughts it wants. Just sit and don’t try to control them. Let them come out.

7. Make your bed. Every. Morning.

8. Tidy up your kitchen and living area before you go to bed.

9. Make it a point to watch the sunrise and watch the sunset at least once every month.

10. Learn something. I practice French every morning using Duolingo.

11. Smile at everyone. Say hello. Wish people a good morning.

12. Listen. Remember things about them. Be helpful.
Be the kindest person you know. Look for ways to brighten someone’s day. Whether it be a stranger, a friend or a family member. I give sincere compliments often.

Just the other day I was waiting in line and the lady in front of me had on the cutest outfit. I felt awkward and shy but said, “Excuse me” (I had to say it twice because I said it too softly the first time which made me feel even more self-conscious because I didn’t know if she was ignoring me or hadn’t heard me). She turned around and I told her that I loved how she had put together her outfit. I could see her eyes crinkle to indicate she was smiling (we were both wearing face masks) and she thanked me. We had a brief conversation and proceeded on.

When I got out to the parking lot, I overheard her tell the gentleman she was with “Babe, some girl just told me she loved my outfit. How sweet is that?”

I don’t do any of the above for any other reason, other than I want to. But as a result, I seem to attract loads of kindness too.
Free drinks at Starbucks, personalized notes on my cups, friends will surprise me with thoughtful cards and gifts and notes and messages … just because.

I can’t tell you how incredibly blessed I feel (which brings us back to point #3)

12. Make time to get outside or open a window. Feel the breeze – even if it’s a cold one 🙂 This is just good for the soul.

13. Connect with friends & family members. Shoot a short video (one take … okay, maybe two), send a voice note. Get creative. Have fun.

Final note: It would be a tragedy to wake up each morning wishing your life was different – But what would be an even bigger tragedy is going to bed tonight not having done a thing to begin to change it.