10 things happy people do at the start of every day, according to psychology

Successful people come from all sorts of backgrounds, but they have something in common:
They follow certain routines that help them thrive and build a fulfilling and enjoyable life over time.
You can also adopt these daily habits that help each day become a more meaningful and helpful aspect.
Let’s dive in and take a look at the habits that successful people do each day!
1) Get up bright and early
Getting up early sets the tone for a successful day.
It doesn’t have to be 4:30 a.m. – maybe it’s 9 a.m. or even later!
But it’s whatever is early for you and allows you to get a lot done in the first hours of the day.
You don’t have to be up as early as a Fortune 500 CEO, but getting an early start can make a big difference.
“Research shows that rising early can boost mood, lead to greater life satisfaction, and minimize mental health problems. There is also a link between greater well-being in older people who get up early,” explains mental health author Polly Campbell.
2) Envision three good things
First thing after getting up, take a moment to yourself:
This is your moment of power! It’s time to do a small envisioning exercise for the day.
These are just three positive things you’re looking forward to that you have going on in the coming day.
Maybe it’s a meal you’re planning to make or an old friend who you’re meeting up with later. Reflect on it a moment!
As clinical psychologist Kate Mason advises:
“I take some deep breaths and think of three things I’m looking forward to today. It literally could be anything from a coffee and breakfast in peace to an episode of something I’m planning on watching on Netflix that evening.”
3) Set goals for the day
Writing down goals and priorities for the day helps stay organized and focused.
These don’t have to be anything too grand. They may be quite small.
Start with a priority, like finishing a certain file at work or going to your Crossfit class and work your way down from there.
There’s nothing wrong with leaving free time open on the schedule, but try to ensure at least some goals are penciled in.
“Instead of wandering aimlessly into the day, content individuals often set clear intentions or goals for what they wish to achieve,” notes psychiatrist Ryan Sultan, M.D.
4) Make your bed
Starting the day by making your bed may seem small, but it helps set a positive mindset for the day.
This creates an initial sense of accomplishment, along with setting you up for a day of success and “can do” vibes.
You’re creating an intention and a mindset that you are capable of doing what is necessary and taking responsibility for your own day without putting it in the hands of somebody else.
As psychology researcher Sarah Vanbuskirk explains:
“Making the bed is about setting an intention to do the little things that bring about an orderly, thoughtful, responsible, balanced, or successful life.
In addition to providing a quick sense of daily accomplishment, some people find making the bed calming as well.”
5) Get in some exercise
Doing some light exercise in the morning gets your body moving and prepares you for the day ahead.
It doesn’t have to be anything major. You don’t want to be facing down a strenuous one-hour workout session just after waking up!
Instead, give yourself a very short goal. If you go past it, great! If not, no problem! Start small and give yourself some slack so you can exceed expectations.
“I say I’m just going to go for a run for 10 minutes, and if I’m too tired, then I’ll turn around. It’s rare that I stop after 10 minutes, so this usually helps get me out the door,” advises psychologist Joshua Coleman, Ph.D. regarding his morning routine.
6) Eat a nutritious breakfast
A nutritious breakfast keeps energy levels steady and helps avoid mood swings.
One highly effective diet is the blood type diet developed by Dr. Peter D’Adamo.
This perfects the right diet for the right person and will lead to a better sense of well-being as well as weight stabilization and better overall health.
“Even though you are living in the 21st century, you share a common bond with your ancestors.
The genetic information that resulted in their particular characteristics has been passed on to you.”
Eating in accordance with your ancestral lineage is a huge power move and you will notice immense and quite rapid benefits!
7) Meditate, pray, reflect
Taking a few minutes for meditation or prayer helps focus the mind and set intentions for the day.
Even if you’re not much of a prayer warrior or meditator, you can use this time for some silent reflection.
Sit quietly and focus on your breath. Feel your being and corporal existence and the bridge that your breath builds between your
“Before the rush of the day begins, many happy individuals take a moment to center themselves,” encourages Sultan.
“This might involve a few minutes of meditation, deep breathing, or simply reflecting on things they’re grateful for.”
8) Track important projects and hobbies
Tackling important tasks early in the day sets a productive tone.
In accordance with the goals you have set in your goal list, tackle one important task or hobby as soon as possible in the day.
This creates a sense of accomplishment and reinforces the knowledge that not only can you hit this day out of the park, but you will do so.
This creates the winning formula for the day ahead and, over the long-term, it fosters a blueprint for success.
You can, and you will.
9) Respond to the most important messages first
Responding to important emails and messages early ensures nothing gets overlooked.
Rather than facing down an entire inbox full of messages, practice quickly scanning for ongoing threads and replies that are important and separate those from new emails or others that don’t connect to past matters.
This will free up a lot of time and energy for you, and set you apart from those who don’t do this.
As Mike Donnelly notes, psychological research shows that most people don’t manage their inbox very effectively:
“Researchers from Yahoo Labs and Cornell University examined 16 billion messages sent by two million people over the course of several months and found that people tend to use email in the same way over time.
A few people are “inbox zero” folks who somehow manage to get through at least the majority of their inboxes every day. The rest of us (the majority) start at the top and work our way down until we move on to something else.”
10) Check in with friends
Keeping up with friends, even with a quick call or messages helps you stay connected and feel like you’re not all alone in the world.
It doesn’t have to be anything major.
Just checking in with friends and knowing you’re not alone is enough top do it in many cases.
This short friendly check in with pals can make a big difference, and Sultan observes that “even a short call to a close friend can set a positive emotional tone.”
A new, happier you
Following these habits won’t make you perfect, but they can help you feel more energized and focused, setting you up for success.
Having a happy day is all about not forcing it.
Set your goals, clarify what you’re doing and let the day flow. It doesn’t have to be everything you expected:
Maybe it will be less than you hoped, maybe it will be more. But incorporating the habits above will eventually lead to a happier and more fulfilled you.
“Incorporating even one or two of these habits can make a marked difference in one’s outlook and overall happiness.”