Some morning habits of happy people

Morning people are generally happier than night owls, according to a study.

Wake up feeling grateful

As they wake up, they always feel grateful for being alive, for the gift of life and for the joy of a new day. When things are bad, make a list in your mind of all the positives.

Research shows clearly that people who regularly express gratitude are less likely to suffer from loneliness, anxiety, depression or envy.

Never skimp on breakfast

They know that this is the most important meal of the day. It provides you with all the essential nutrients, minerals and energy you are going to need for the day. Planning a good breakfast the night before is also a good idea. You will be able to get some of the things ready so you can save time when you are under pressure during your morning schedule.

Never forget the spiritual connection

As they wake up, they dedicate some time to mindfulness, prayer, meditation, yoga, or offerings to Buddha. These are all valuable ways of connecting to the present reality and savoring these precious moments before going on auto-pilot.

Get exercise before you start work

Some people prefer to walk the dog early in the morning or cycle to work, if that is feasible. Other people, like President Obama, start their daily workout at 6.45.a.m. One study reveals how much more beneficial pre- breakfast exercise can be although it might not suit everybody.

Plan your good deeds

It should come as no surprise to learn that when happy people help others it increases their happiness, rather then being a burden. Studies published in the Journal of Happiness Studies illustrate this clearly. Other studies show that these happier and kinder people will live much longer.

Do not ruminate about the past

Happy people have one thing in common. They very rarely express regrets about the past. They know that life is for living now and that to-day is the main event. They never let it be hijacked by the past or yesterday’s failures.

Make happiness a habit

Did you know that as much as 40% of your daily activities is sheer habit or routine? You are on auto-pilot half the time. Happy people make gratitude, joy and mindfulness a part of that habit and it always works for them, espeacially in the morning.

Reject the morning distractions

Happy people know that they do not want those distractions form news, emails and text messages muscling in too early. They will damage their early morning serenity in getting their gratitude and mindfulness act together. This is what is important. Those messages can wait till much later. This also helps them to approach all the deadlines, meetings and tasks with much more serenity.

Set your daily goals

Happy people know what when they do start work, they should try and get the most difficult task done first. It is just part of a list of objectives but they have always clear goals and have prioritized what they want to get done. It increases their happiness.

Richard Davidson, a neuroscientist at the University of Wisconsin has researched all this. He found that when you see progress towards achieving a difficult task or goal, this increases happiness and also suppresses all the negative emotion.

Take out a happiness subscription

When you meet happy people, they give you the impression that they have opted in for a happiness subscription. They are not waiting around or hoping vaguely for random happy events to knock on their door. They are making happiness and spreading it around. That is why they always stand out in the crowd!

Prepare for your morning the night before.

Safeguard your groggy morning self from making inefficient mistakes before the sun comes up by getting things ready when you're lively at night. Set out your clothes, shoes, and bag. Pack your lunch. Check your calendar for what's going on tomorrow. Sing "Eye of the Tiger" to yourself.

Put your alarm where you have to get out of bed to turn it off.

It's a lot harder to press the Snooze button when you've already walked across your bedroom. Are you really going to then walk back to your bed to sleep? C'mon. You're better than that.

Set an intense pump-up song as your alarm.

No way you're going to stay in bed with "Welcome to the Jungle" blasting from your phone.

Wake up at the same time every day (and go to bed at the same time every night).

Having an erratic sleep schedule contributes to fatigue.

Drink a big glass of water the moment you wake up.

Keep the glass on your bedside table. When your alarm goes off, drink the water—all of it. Doing so has tons of benefits that are both immediate and long-lasting. It kickstarts your metabolism, rehydrates you after a night of drinking no fluids (because you were, y'know, sleeping), and flushes toxins from your body. It also can help you eat less throughout the day.

Wake up early enough that you can do what makes you happy before going to work.

Waking up 15 minutes before you have to head out the door is a great way to show up at work grumpy and harried. Waking up a couple hours earlier, on the other hand, will allow you to do whatever makes you happy, not stressed. Read the news. Watch sports highlights. Make yourself a massive smoothie. Take the dog for a quick walk.

Have a SONIC energy drink, not coffee.

Think of them as better-tasting coffee filled with antioxidants and nutrients.

Take a cold shower.

Unless you don't want increased immune strength, increased testosterone levels, and improved mood.

Keep your wallet, keys, and phone in a bowl by your front door.

You'll never be locked out, phone-less, or money-less ever again.