The Happiness Routine: Four Morning Minutes for a Happier Day

Dr. Aymee's Morning Happiness Prescription:

1. Wake up and smile (5 seconds)
2. Say out loud: "Today is the happiest day of my life!" (5 seconds)
3. Go to the bathroom and brush your teeth (2 minutes)
4. Five Duchenne Smile Pushups (see the happiness morning routine video for exact instructions) (1 minute)
5. Laughter practice: "Hahaha hohoho heeheehee"(10 seconds)
6. Five "I am happy" jumps (10 seconds)
7. Sing a happy song (I recommend "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah") (30 seconds)
8. Gratitude practice (3 minutes)

This equals six minutes of time in the morning. As many people have their morning scheduled down to the minute, it is important that you realize:

You can do this happiness routine within your existing morning routine.

In fact, I am going to take out two minutes from when you go to the bathroom and brush your teeth, since you do that anyway. Now the routine is only four minutes!

You have four minutes for your happiness, right?

Absolutely....

Read "Start Your Day With a Happiness Prescription" and watch the video on morning happiness routine for a greater explanation and detailed instructions.

Other bloggers are very intentional in creating their morning routines!

• First, some bloggers are organized before the morning even begins -- or they get up earlier than everyone else so they can be organized before anyone even wakes up. This is one of the very top recommendations of Gretchen Rubin's Happiness Project.
• Many take the time for self care in the morning, including Kario of The Writing Life, Karen Bove, Our Life in the Kitchen, the Farmgirl of Farm Girl Follies, Shannon Hyland-Tassava of Mama in Wonderland, Jenna from Jenna’s Journey, Barbara Shallue of Long Hollow, Jen Rothmeyer of EmSun, Erin at Booferd, Slappintheface, Mandy at Since My Divorce.
• Others share happy activities within the family like grinding the coffee as Creating Motherhood does. Here is a video of her toddler son doing what her family lovingly calls "grinders."
• Or you can get your kids to help out with getting breakfast ready like Lizzie Heiselt of Mother Runner.
• Katie Walters of An Authentic Life focuses on living in the moment.
• Diana Swallow at Scale Junkie does whatever it takes to have fun, including posting funny comics in the bathroom.
• Melissa at Eyes Bigger Than My Stomach relies on her colorful and cheery looking cereal bowl and white and blue flower coffee mug to make her smile!
• Many already practice gratitude every morning, including Vodkamom, Tina at Faith Fitness Fun, and Sprogblogger.
• Also, exercise is a key ingredient in setting your stage positive every day. JessieLeigh of Parenting Miracles, bonggamom of Finding Bonggamom and Lisa at Grandma’s Briefs like morning walks.
• Rebecca at Complex Mom does morning yoga and Elena Maria Vidal of Tea at Trianon swims every day.
• Ashleigh Burroughs of The Burrow simply greets the day with a smile.
• Enjoying music is another technique in our pursuit of daily happiness used by Jaime of James and Jax who sings familiar songs in the shower. Julie the Mama at Mama and Them dances to Lionel Richie every morning, and Emily from the Best of this Life sings "You Are My Sunshine" with her little one.
• Carol at Middle-aged-diva even allows 10 minutes for her dog to give her unconditional love every day. Pets do in fact help our happiness and health!

Do you practice a happiness routine in the morning? If you have questions or comments, please be sure to share your experience and thoughts!