Happiness isn’t about big life changes or winning the lottery (though, hey, wouldn’t that be nice?). It’s built on the small things we do daily those little rituals that bring joy, calm, and a sense of purpose.

Let me share some tried-and-true happiness habits that have transformed lives, including my own and women I deeply admire. Trust me, these tips are easy, doable, and, most importantly, feel-good.

Morning Gratitude: Start Your Day With a Smile

One of my closest friends, Sarah, swears by this. Every morning, she grabs her coffee, sits on her cozy couch, and writes down three things she’s grateful for. Some days, it’s as simple as “the sunlight streaming through my window” or “last night’s chocolate cake.” Other days, it’s deeper, like “the love and health of my family.”

She told me, “At first, I felt silly like, how is writing about sunshine supposed to make me happier? But after a week, I realized I’d started seeing the good in everything, even on rough days.”

Try this: Grab a pretty journal and keep it on your bedside table. Write your three things before you pick up your phone in the morning.

Move Your Body (In Ways You Enjoy)

Exercise can feel like a chore, right? But it doesn’t have to be! My own “aha!” moment came when I ditched gym workouts I hated and started dancing in my living room. No rules, and no judgment just my favorite playlist and some questionable moves.

A friend of mine, Jenna, started yoga as a way to relax after work. “I’m not flexible,” she’d always say, but now she’s the queen of downward dog and says her mood improves every time she hits the mat.

Try this: Find movement that feels fun dancing, hiking, swimming, or even walking while listening to your favorite podcast.

Create a No-Tech Zone

Let’s be real: our phones are both a blessing and a curse. I used to scroll endlessly before bed, only to feel drained and restless.

Then I made a rule: no screens after 9 PM. Instead, I light a candle and grab a good book or journal. Honestly, I sleep better and wake up feeling refreshed.

My friend Emma took this a step further and created a tech-free Sunday morning. “It’s my reset time,” she says. “I’ll go for a walk, bake something, or just sit in silence with my tea.”

Try this: Set a “no-phone” time in your day. It could be an hour before bed or a weekend morning when you disconnect and recharge.

Spread Kindness (Even to Strangers)

Here’s a secret: making someone else smile feels just as good as being on the receiving end of kindness. I remember a day when I was feeling pretty low. On a whim, I paid for the coffee of the woman in line behind me. Her surprised, beaming smile lifted my spirits instantly.

Acts of kindness don’t have to be big. Compliment a coworker’s outfit. Send a sweet text to a friend you haven’t spoken to in a while. Leave a sticky note with a positive message on the mirror at your gym.

Try this: Commit to one act of kindness every day for a week. Watch how it changes your mood and creates ripples of joy.

Allow Yourself to Rest

Yes, girl, rest. You don’t have to hustle 24/7 to feel worthy. Some of the happiest women I know have mastered the art of guilt-free rest. One of them, Maria, schedules an hour of “nothing time” every Sunday. “It’s not lazy,” she says, “it’s self-preservation.”

I’ve started embracing this too whether it’s a midweek bubble bath or an afternoon nap. Rest isn’t just okay; it’s essential.

Try this: Add “rest time” to your planner like it’s a meeting you can’t cancel. Then stick to it.

Happiness Habits: Your Happiness, Your Rules

Happiness habits aren’t one-size-fits-all. What matters is finding what works for you and sticking with it. Whether it’s journaling, dancing, unplugging, or spreading kindness, small, consistent changes can lead to big joy.

So go ahead, and try one habit this week. Who knows? It might just change your life.