The new year has arrived! As you’re thinking about what you want to achieve and experience this year, don’t forget to think about the small things you can do to be happier and find more joy. Need some suggestions? Try some of these ideas!

1. Read a book you’ve been wanting to read. You could even read a book about joy. I have to give a shout out to the JoyPowered® series, but we also like The Book of Joy and Joy, Inc.
2. Exercise. Sometimes you need to get out of your head and into your body to get those endorphins going. There are thousands of activities you could do here. I like going for walks, running, and doing yoga. (If you like yoga, too, you should check out the HR on the Mat video series!)
3. Listen to your favorite podcast. I especially like doing this to pass the time while I’m doing the dishes or other chores. Of course, I’ll have to plug The JoyPowered® Workspace Podcast! We also like How I Built This and Handle w/ Care.
4. Take one step toward reaching one of your goals or dreams. Even if you can’t completely cross it off your list, just making some progress can give you a boost!
5. Create an environment that will power your joy. Maybe that means turning on your favorite music to boost your mood and journaling to reflect on what brings you joy. It could be lighting an uplifting scented candle, making a cup of soothing tea, and settling down with a book to slow down and take some time for yourself. Whatever puts you in the mindset that will help you find joy in your day!
6. Spend time with loved ones (even if it’s virtual). I think one thing we all learned during the pandemic was the importance of human connection. Checking in with your loved ones can give you a happiness boost, for sure.
7. Take your vacation time. All of it. Even if you don’t go anywhere. Studies show that people are more productive if they take breaks, and it’s important to step away from work sometimes to recharge and stave off burnout. Not to mention you’re leaving money on the table if you let that vacation time expire.
8. Help someone else find joy. Making other people happy makes you feel good! Call or text someone to let them know you’re thinking of them. Send them a small gift, just because. Bake some cookies for them. Send them a handwritten note. Whatever you can do to brighten their day!
9. Reflect on what brings you joy and what’s making you feel negative (journaling can be a great way to do this). Then, come up with a way you can get rid of some of those things that are giving you negative feelings.
10. Reach out to someone you haven’t spoken to in a while. Let them know you were thinking of them and wondering how they’re doing.
11. Get outside. Watch the sunset, go on a hike, sit on the beach…whatever you can do to take a moment to enjoy nature.
12. Make a favorite recipe or order your favorite takeout meal. It may be easier to just grab whatever’s in the fridge, but if you’re in need of something to make you smile, eating something yummy that reminds you of good memories may do the trick!
13. Take time for yourself. It’s important to care for and connect with others, but you can’t pour from an empty cup. Make sure you’re doing something for yourself once in a while, too!
14. Ask for help. If you’re struggling with something, don’t be afraid to ask for some support. It may relieve some of the stress and pressure you’re feeling.
15. Take a break. If you’re frustrated or stressed at work, it can be surprisingly helpful to step away from it, even for a few minutes. If your work allows, maybe you can go on a walk or spend 15 minutes reading a novel. If not, even something like getting up to grab a cup of coffee could give you a chance to refresh.
16. Give back. Not only does volunteering or donating to a cause you believe in help others, but it can also give you positive feelings.
17. Create a list of things that make you happy. It’s a way to reflect on what brings you joy, and can be helpful in the future when you need a quick mood boost.
18. Set a SMART goal. Is there a habit that you think might help you be happier? Do some solid goal-setting and make it Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound to improve your chances of achieving it.
19. Stop to savor the small things. Focus on some of the small things that make you happy, like the taste of your favorite coffee, a song you love, or the cute earrings you’re wearing today. Studies show people who tend to enjoy a good thing maintain high levels of happiness.
20. Set better boundaries. It can be hard to get past our people-pleasing tendencies, but it’s important to say no to things that don’t work for you. Getting burned out because you’re doing too much doesn’t help you or the people you’re trying to please. (Check out this JoyPowered podcast episode for more on setting boundaries without guilt.)
21. Do more nice things. People who try to regularly do some acts of kindness tend to be happier. It doesn’t have to be a big gesture – it could be something as simple as saying hello to someone you walk by, telling someone how great they did on a project at work, or leaving a positive review for a local company you like.
22. Stop saying “I’ll be happy when….” So many of us are waiting for milestones that we think are going to make us happier – that big promotion, getting married, having kids, moving, losing weight, the list goes on. If you think about some things you’re grateful for and that make you happy now, you can take some of that pressure off yourself.

What else has worked for you when you’re looking for a happiness boost or a way to find more joy? Let us know in the comments.