What if happiness isn’t about chasing big dreams or making huge life changes? What if it’s about a few simple habits you can start today to increase happiness?
We all want to be happy. It’s what drives most of our decisions—from the work we choose to the people we spend time with. But despite our best intentions, many of us still feel a nagging sense of dissatisfaction. It’s as if we’re waiting for happiness to arrive “one day” when everything lines up just right.
Here’s what I’ve learned from my years of coaching: happiness isn’t a destination. It’s a daily practice. And the best part? You don’t need to overhaul your entire life. You just need to build a few happiness habits into your day.
1. Start Your Day with Something You Love
Before you check your phone or get pulled into everyone else’s agenda, do one small thing that brings you joy. Maybe it’s five minutes of journaling. Maybe it’s a slow cup of coffee on the porch. For me, it’s yoga. I’m not always in the mood, but afterward, I always feel better.
You’re setting the tone for the entire day. Instead of starting in reactive mode, you’re anchoring yourself in joy. That simple shift makes a big difference.
2. End Your Day with a Win
Bookend your day with something fulfilling. Reflect on what went well, no matter how small.
One of my clients, a very driven executive, used to end her day feeling like she hadn’t done “enough.” We changed that with one habit: each night, she wrote down three wins from the day. Even if it was “sent that overdue email” or “took a walk during lunch,” she noted it. That one habit shifted her mindset completely. She stopped chasing perfection and started celebrating progress.
3. Move Your Body (Even a Little)
This one isn’t about fitness—it’s about energy. Movement is a fast, powerful way to lift your mood.
When I come back from a long holiday (after indulging in Cheetos and pecan rolls, naturally), I re-activate my CrossFit schedule. Not because I “should,” but because moving helps me feel strong and grounded.
Don’t like the gym? That’s okay. Take a walk, stretch for five minutes, or dance in your living room.
Your body holds a lot of the keys to emotional well-being. Moving it, even briefly, is a powerful way to increase happiness naturally.
4. Clear a Little Clutter
A cluttered space creates a cluttered mind. You don’t have to do a full clean-out—but set a timer for 10 minutes and tackle one drawer, one surface, one inbox.
Recently, I found five sets of measuring spoons hiding in my kitchen drawer. I kept thinking they might be “useful someday.” But the truth? They just took up space and energy. So I donated the extras. And in that moment, I felt a little lighter, a little happier. Creating space physically often creates space emotionally.
5. Check in with Your Emotional Needs
This one is huge. Most people go through life trying to “be happy” without ever asking: What do I need emotionally to feel good today? When those needs go unmet—things like freedom, appreciation, connection—it’s nearly impossible to feel content. That’s why I created the Emotional Index Quiz. It helps you identify your top emotional needs so you can start meeting them proactively.
For example, one client discovered that appreciation was her #1 need. Once she realized this, she started asking her team for feedback and built in ways to acknowledge herself. Her mood improved almost overnight.
If you want to increase happiness, don’t ignore your emotional needs. Start there.
6. Do One Thing You’ve Been Putting Off
Sometimes the fastest way to increase happiness is to finish something that’s been weighing on you. Nothing drags down your energy like procrastination. Even tiny, undone tasks create mental noise.
Pick one thing you’ve been avoiding—schedule the dentist, reply to that email, order the birthday gift—and do it. Just one. You’ll feel instantly lighter.
This habit alone helped one of my clients feel “10 pounds lighter,” even though nothing changed externally. That’s the power of doing complete work. (I talk about this more in my book, Coach Yourself to Success. Complete work is key to both peace of mind and happiness.)
7. Protect One Hour a Week Just for You
This is your “sacred time.” No work, no errands, no obligations. Just you.
One night a week, I block out time with no appointments, no business calls, just whatever I feel like doing. Sometimes I read. Sometimes I garden. And sometimes I sit and do absolutely nothing.
Creating this boundary not only gives you rest, it reinforces your worth. It’s another meaningful way to increase happiness in the long term.
Happiness Is a Byproduct
You don’t “achieve” happiness. You generate it by how you live, moment to moment.
So, no more waiting for things to be perfect. Start with one small habit. Then another. Soon, you’ll look around and realize you’re not just surviving anymore. You’re actually happy.
Ready to Design a Life That Makes You Happy? Take the Emotional Index Quiz to discover your unique emotional blueprint—or jump into the full Coach Yourself to Success Course and build a life filled with joy, balance, and meaning.
