We’ve all heard the saying, “The early bird catches the worm,” right? 

It’s that age-old notion that those who rise with the sun are bound to be happier, more successful creatures. But let’s be real – slapping the snooze button for the third time doesn’t exactly feel like a crime against joy.

Still, I can’t help but notice that people who seem genuinely content with life tend to have certain morning rituals.

And guess what? They all seem to sidestep a few common pitfalls within the first couple of hours of waking up.

So, if you’re like me – clutching your coffee and scrolling through your phone before your eyes fully open – you might find this intriguing. 

After some good old-fashioned people watching and a bit of self-reflection, I’ve discovered a handful of things that the perpetually happy crowd seems to avoid as they kick-start their day.

1) Skip breakfast

Ever noticed how those chipper morning people always seem to be munching on something? Yeah, me too. It turns out, diving into your day on an empty stomach is like hitting the road with your gas tank running on empty – not the best move. The genuinely happy folks? They never seem to skip their morning meal.

It’s not about having a grand feast every morning; sometimes it’s just a piece of fruit or a yogurt. But it’s that bit of nourishment that seems to set the tone. They’re fueling their bodies and minds, giving themselves the energy to tackle whatever’s ahead with a smile. 

And while I’m over here trying to function on caffeine and sheer willpower, they’re leaping through their morning with the grace of a well-fed gazelle.

Maybe it’s time to rethink my “breakfast is for the weak” mantra, huh?

2) Dive into emails

I’ll confess, I’ve been guilty of this. The alarm buzzes, and before my feet even touched the floor, I’m buried in my inbox, sifting through a barrage of emails. 

But here’s the kicker – the happiest folks I know don’t let their inboxes dictate the start of their day. Instead, they give themselves a moment of peace before plunging into the digital deluge.

So one day, I tried something different. I kept my phone at arm’s length and allowed myself to wake up naturally, without the glaring screen dictating my mood. I sipped my coffee and watched the sunrise, giving myself the space to breathe before tackling the emails. And you know what? It was liberating.

By the time I opened my inbox, I felt more in control, less reactive. There was a sense of calm readiness that carried me through those messages with a newfound ease. It seems those happy people might be onto something – starting the day on your own terms sets you up for a happier, more centered state of mind.

3) Get caught in negativity

I remember waking up one morning to a gray, drizzly day. My first thought? “Great, another gloomy morning.” But then I recalled a conversation with a friend who always seemed to radiate positivity, no matter the weather. She told me, “I never let the morning set a negative tone for my day.” That stuck with me.

Taking a leaf out of her book, I decided to flip the script. Instead of complaining about the rain, I focused on how it nourished the garden outside my window. I embraced the cozy feeling of being indoors and the calming sound of raindrops against the pane. This small shift in perspective had a surprisingly powerful impact on my mood.

The genuinely happy individuals I’ve observed seem to avoid the negativity trap altogether in their morning routine. They might acknowledge a less-than-ideal situation, but they don’t dwell on it. They find a silver lining or simply move forward with optimism. 

So now, when I wake up to less-than-perfect circumstances, I try to sidestep the negativity pitfall and search for that positive spin. 

More often than not, it sets a more pleasant tone for the rest of my day.

4) Rush through the morning

You know the mornings when every second seems to be a sprint against the clock? Guilty as charged – I’ve been there more times than I’d like to admit. 

But then I noticed something about those who exude genuine happiness: they never seem to be in a frantic race with time, especially not in the early hours.

Taking a page from their book, I decided to experiment by setting my alarm just 20 minutes earlier. Those extra minutes felt like a luxury. Instead of hurdling over the dog to get to the shower and scarfing down a half-toasted bagel, I had time to actually enjoy my morning routine.

The pace was calm, almost meditative, and you know what? It made a world of difference. By not rushing, I felt more present and in tune with what was around me – the warmth of the shower, the aroma of fresh coffee, even the peaceful sleeping faces of my family. 

It taught me that happiness in the morning isn’t just about what you do; it’s also about what you don’t do – and that’s rushing through those precious first moments of your day.

5) Ignore their body’s needs

You know what? A few years ago, I started to do stretches for a few minutes each morning. Nothing fancy, just reaching for the sky and touching my toes, feeling every muscle wake up with me. And while I’m no yogi, this simple routine made me feel more aligned – both physically and mentally.

Turns out, stretching can increase blood flow to your muscles and your brain, which can improve mood and clarity of thought. By tuning in to what my body needed, I was inadvertently setting myself up for a happier day. 

It was as if my body said, “Thank you for not ignoring me,” and my mood lifted in return. Who knew such a small change could make such a big difference?

6) Start the day without intention

Also, I noticed a pattern among those who seemed truly content: they started their day with a clear intention.

One particular morning, I paused and asked myself what I wanted from the day – not a to-do list, but an intention of how I wanted to feel or what I wanted to give back to the world. It could be as simple as “Today, I choose kindness” or “I will embrace joy.”

This small ritual became a cornerstone of my mornings. It’s remarkable how this act of setting an intention gave me a sense of purpose and direction. 

Would you believe it? It was that subtlest of changes in my routine that brought about such a significant shift in my daily experience.

7) Disregard gratitude

In the usual blur of hectic mornings, it’s easy to overlook the good that’s already present in our lives. But the happiest people I know have one thing in common: they never forget to practice gratitude as they start their day.

So now, before I let my feet touch the cold floor, I take a brief moment to acknowledge something I’m grateful for. It might be the comfort of my bed or the health of my loved ones. This small act of appreciation seems to send a wave of positivity flowing through my veins, readying me to face whatever lies ahead with a grateful heart.

And as it turns out, this isn’t just a feel-good practice. Studies have shown that gratitude is linked to greater happiness, providing us with higher energy levels and a more optimistic outlook on life. It’s the cornerstone of genuine contentment, it guides us through our day with grace and thankfulness.

The bottom line

The best part: the beauty of our mornings, much like the rest of our lives, is that they’re a series of choices. And every day is a new chance to choose happiness.

Making intentional shifts in your morning routine can feel daunting at first.  But remember, change doesn’t require great leaps – it’s the small, consistent adjustments that pave the way for significant transformation.

Start by being mindful of how you begin your day. Do you allow yourself the calm of a routine that serves you, not just one that serves your schedule? Are you listening to your body, setting intentions, and practicing gratitude?

Reflect on these and consider how altering your habits could brighten the first hours of your day. The adjustment doesn’t need to be drastic; even the smallest act of kindness towards yourself each morning can manifest outward, enhancing your sense of well-being.

Over time, these moments add up. They become the foundation of a life approached with joy and contentment. 

As you move forward, celebrate the progress you make, no matter how small it may seem. There’s power in every step that leads to a happier you, and each morning is a blank canvas waiting for your brush – paint it with intention and see the rest of your day unfold in harmony.