11 Ways to Make Yourself Happier and More Productive

Last Updated: 

October 3, 2023

It’s hard to be happy when you feel like you’re behind on your work and can’t seem to get ahead. But if you can figure out ways to be more productive, you can, in turn, become a happier person. The two go hand in hand!

If you’re ready to take control over your day-to-day life, keep reading. Here are eleven ways to make yourself happier and more productive.

Key Takeaways on Making Yourself Happier and More Productive:

  • Wake Up Earlier: Starting the day early can provide extra time for activities like exercise, a healthy breakfast, or relaxation. Avoid the snooze button and establish a consistent morning routine.
  • Positive Mindset: Begin the day with a positive attitude and find things to be thankful for, whether it's having a job, a comfortable home, or a simple pleasure like a cup of coffee.
  • Schedule Your Day: Plan your tasks ahead of time, both for work and personal activities. Having a clear plan can boost productivity and motivation.
  • Delegate Tasks: Reduce your workload by delegating tasks, whether at home or work. This can free up time for more critical activities.
  • Unplug Digital Devices: Minimise distractions by reducing screen time, especially during non-working hours.
  • Take a Lunch Break: Prioritise taking a break to eat and relax. A short walk or exercise can also boost mood and energy levels.
  • Set Work Boundaries: Know when to end your workday and avoid bringing work-related tasks into personal time.
  • Eat Dinner: Enjoy a balanced dinner and spend quality time with loved ones. Limit alcohol intake to ensure a good night's sleep.
  • Establish an Evening Routine: Consistent evening activities can help signal the body that it's time to wind down and prepare for rest.
  • Relaxation Time: Dedicate time daily for relaxation, whether it's meditation, reading, or simply unwinding with a favorite activity.
  • Prioritise Sleep: Aim for seven to nine hours of sleep each night to rejuvenate the body and mind.

In essence, a balanced routine that prioritises self-care, relaxation, and setting clear boundaries can lead to increased happiness and productivity.

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1. Wake Up Earlier

Start your day off on the right foot and try to wake up a bit earlier than usual. Even an extra 30 minutes can give you more time to exercise, eat a healthy breakfast, or just spend a few more minutes in the shower. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so if you've been skipping it, waking up earlier should give you the time you need to eat. If you're still struggling to find time to eat, consider a product like MCT Wellness. You can read these MCT Wellness reviews to see how it works for other people, but you should find that after a couple of weeks of use, your morning energy levels significantly improve, even without time to eat a full meal.

Stop hitting the snooze button. Instead, find a way to get out of bed a bit earlier each morning. Getting out of bed when you want to is always better than snoozing until the last possible second!

2. Decide That You’re Going to Be Happy and Thankful

A positive attitude goes a long way to making you a happier person. So, try to wake up with the mindset that you’re going to be happy today.

Find a few little things to be thankful for and think about them as you get your day started.

Maybe you’re grateful that you have a job. Maybe you’re happy that you have a warm, cozy apartment to sleep in. Or maybe you’re just glad to have a warm cup of coffee in your hands.

Start your day off by being thankful — even the little things count!

3. Schedule Your Day

The most productive people always have a game plan for tackling the day.

On your way to work, create a plan ahead of time so you know what you need to accomplish. When you have a day off, make a list of all the things you want to do around the house.

Checking things off your list as you complete them will make you feel better throughout the day. Accomplishing even a few small things is a great way to motivate yourself to get more work done.

4. Delegate as Much as Possible

Most people will tell you that the less they have to do, the happier they are. And the best way to reduce your to-do list is to delegate whatever tasks you can to other people.

At home, ask your spouse, kids, or roommates to pitch in with chores. You could even spend a little extra money per month and hire a company that offers house cleaning services Houston way, or wherever you're based, to get your cleaning done for you! At work, delegate tasks to your assistants so you’ll have more time to focus on things that only you can do.

5. Unplug Your Digital Devices

This may be impossible to do at work, but unplugging your digital devices is a great way to eliminate distractions. If you can’t unplug, at least try to cut down on screen time.

At home, turn off your phone or iPad whenever you can. If it’s the TV that distracts you, don’t turn it on.

6. Take a Lunch Break

Feeding your body is the best way to fuel your mind, so take a lunch break to eat and relax for a few minutes every day.

Even a 30-minute break can be helpful. Step away from your desk for a half-hour and take a short walk. Exercise releases endorphins, which make you feel better.

But don’t sacrifice your entire lunch break to work out. Take time to eat a healthy meal so you can boost your brain and avoid that mid-afternoon slump.

7. Know When to End Your Work Day

The workplace isn’t the only place where you have to be productive. There are also things you need to accomplish at home at night. In order to do them, you’ll need to leave work by a certain time.

When you leave the office, leave work behind you. Don’t check emails at the dinner table or respond to texts from your boss at midnight. Unless you’re a physician or a first-responder where a call can literally mean life or death, it can probably wait until morning.

8. Eat Dinner

Eat a healthy, balanced dinner three hours before you go to bed; you could try out that new Primal Kitchen Buffalo sauce you've had your eye on for some time with some chicken or grilled vegetables. It will take at least that long for you to digest, and you can spend those three hours with family and friends.

Maintaining healthy relationships is crucial for happiness, so spend your evenings with the people you love.

It’s also important to limit your alcohol intake. A glass of wine or a beer with dinner is fine, but too much alcohol can keep you up at night. And that’s the last thing you should do if you want to get a good night’s sleep.

9. Create an Evening Routine

An evening routine is essential, and it can include anything you want. Chat with your spouse. Watch an hour or two of TV. Do homework or play games with your kids.

Whether you want to relax with the family or clean the house, a steady evening routine is a great way to prepare yourself for bed. Consistency will train your body to know when it’s time to start shutting down for the night.

10. Find Time to Relax

Relaxation should be a part of everyone’s day, regardless of how busy you may be.

Meditate, take a bath, or have a cup of tea. Read, listen to music, watch TV, or sink into the comfort of relax for life massage chairs.

If you’ve been productive all day long, you deserve some relaxation time (and you’ll have time to do it!). An hour or two of downtime will set you up for a good night’s sleep so that you can have another productive day tomorrow.

11. Get a Full Eight Hours of Sleep

Sleep rejuvenates both the body and the brain. Without it, you won’t be productive or happy. Getting the right amount of sleep each night is essential.

Get in bed seven to nine hours before you need to wake up. This is the amount of time that adults need to function at peak performance levels.

In Summary

Happiness and productivity go hand in hand. When you’re happier, you’ll be more motivated to get things done. And when you get things done, you’re more likely to be happier.

Wake up early and start your day by thinking about things you’re grateful for. Set a schedule, delegate as many tasks as possible, and eliminate distractions by unplugging your digital devices.

Take a lunch break, end your workday at a reasonable hour, and enjoy dinner with family or friends. Create an evening routine that includes relaxation time and plenty of sleep.

Put these tips into practice and there’s a good chance you’ll be happier and more productive than you ever thought you could be.

Author bio:

Caitlin Sinclair is the Business Manager for Harvest at Fiddyment Ranch. With over five years of property management experience, she begins and ends each day loving what she does. She finds joy in making Harvest at Fiddyment Ranch a place that everyone loves to call home.

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