Wellness Wednesday: 29 Ways To Add More Joy To Your Life

Happy Wellness Wednesday! Have you started doing the first thing we discussed last Wellness Wednesday? Remember negative self talk and personal bullying is not OK; you are way too good for that.

Now let’s jump into something we could all use: joy! It’s absolutely my favorite word. I think it’s impossible to be “happy” all the time, but I wholeheartedly believe we need to invest the time to seek out ways we can add more joy to our life. We deserve it, and even little joyful moments, can add up to a significantly more fulfilling life.

Consider finding one or two ways to add joy to your life. Don’t try to over-commit to 10 things all at once… just one or two can have a major positive impact on your life. Use the below list of ways you can create more joy in your own life as a starting point, inspiration or your go-to list to determine the most meaningful impact for you.

1. Start a gratitude journal. Write down 8 things each morning that you are grateful for. Leading with gratitude helps you re-frame your day and mindset, setting you up for a happier day (there are studies to support this).
2. Meditate. I’m on day three of Headspace, a popular meditation app and so far I’m loving it. I’m committing 3-6 minutes daily — we all have that much time. I’ll report back once I get further along but I would love if you joined me as I start this journey.
3. Schedule a girls night in. Wear pajamas and limit it to a few friends (or one bestie!). Put the phones away, unless you’re taking a few fun photos. This is not for social media so do not share… this is for you. This is for creating memories and filling your heart with those who you love most.
4. If you have a significant other, plan a date night for the next week. No excuses. Hire a baby sitter, do a trade with another family to each watch your kids, find a way. Talk to each other.
5. Think about a hobby you have always wanted to try, and commit to signing up for a class or session. Try a hip hop class (I’ve reached out to a local teacher!), take an art class, bible class, do karaoke, whatever it is.
6. Book and start to plan a trip. Anything from an overnight at a college best friend to a longer vacation. Giving you something to look forward to instantly adds joy.
7. Turn on your favorite music, and dance like a crazy lady! It’s the best, best medicine.
8. Send someone you’ve been meaning to connect with a text or email that you’re thinking about them and hope they’re having a great day.
9. Find a way to remove one thing on your calendar you really don’t want to do this month. By saying no to that thing that’s bringing you down, you’re really saying yes to you. Prioritize.
10. Go on a walk or sit somewhere beautiful by yourself. Soak in the nature and sights around you.
11. Take a weekend social media detox. It will hurt at first and your hand will want to reach for your phone. Delete apps or put them in a folder on another page. Fight the urge.
12. Volunteer.
13. Face sadness in your life. When you’re sad or dealing privately with something it can feel impossible to find joy. It’s absolutely OK to cry and give yourself permission to be sad.
14. Speak kindly to yourself. Treat yourself with the same grace you provide others.
15. Finish whatever that thing is on your to-do list that has been nagging at you for far too long.
16. Go outside and play in the rain or snow. You might get messy or cold or gross; it’s ok… you can shower or treat yourself to a bath. Just live it up!
17. Give someone a genuine compliment.
18. Finally take that mental health day. Take a day off, treat yourself to a massage, to a lunch with a girlfriend, run the errands you can never get to, relax in a quiet home, basically, break up your routine and give yourself a “me” day.
19. Take time to clean out your closet (get new hangers if you need them) or that drawer you’ve been dreading. The end result will bring you more joy than you could have ever realized.
20. Bake something — healthy or not healthy, it doesn’t matter — and enjoy it, without guilt.
21. Take a nap, or lay there lazily in bed or on the couch.
22. Say no when someone asks you to do something you so don’t want to do.
23. Bring in your favorite meal and eat it in your pajamas.
24. Let go of blame or resentment you might have for someone. That takes far more energy than you realize. It might take time, but releasing yourself from this is extremely freeing.
25. Accept a compliment and believe the person giving it to you.
26. Take time to be present with yourself. Pause, close your eyes and take deep breaths.
27. Finally start reading that book on your nightstand that you keep saying you will.
28. Laugh and smile for no reason at all.
29. Think about one thing right now that could bring you joy. It could be big and scary, or something small that would make your heart and head feel good. You are the only one with the power to make it happen. Commit to finding a way.

Hope this week’s Wellness Wednesday is the start of something. Comment below with the one way you plan to add joy to your life, whether it’s from this Wellness Wednesday list or something else you now feel inspired to do. Share with the TMS community and let’s get our wellness goals going together.