9 Things To Do Now So You Can Wake Up Happy Tomorrow

It might sound like a silly exercise, but intuitive women's leadership coach Stephanie Dalfonzo tells Romper that making a nightly gratitude list before going to bed is one of the best things you for your morning mindset. "Even if you had a tough day, going to bed thinking of things to be grateful for (even if it's simply remembering to brush your teeth or being grateful for a comfortable bed) is programming your subconscious mind to focus on gratitude while you sleep," she says. "And then it makes it that much easier to start the day with gratitude and wake up happy."

According to a study conducted by Harvard Medical School researcher psychologist Dr. Nancy Etcoff, having fresh flowers in your home can help boost your mood and make you feel happier. Ectoff said that past research has also shown that receiving flowers as a gift can give people a boost of happiness as well. Pick up a bunch the next time you're at the grocery store or farmers market for a pick-me-up.

Happiness takes a little bit of time and effort. "In order to wake up happy, you've got to work on being happy the day before. It's like muscle memory, you've got to work it," Dalfonzo says. Practice being happy — at least for a little while each day — to help yourself learn to be happier and focus on the good.

There is a lot of advice out there about how you should sleep in order to get the best sleep, but according to Medical Daily, a 2004 study conducted by Turkish researchers found that people who sleep on their left sides said they suffered from more frequent nightmares. The limitations to the study, of course, have to do with the self-reported preferences part of the study, but even so, it's possible that your sleep position could affect your mood upon waking.

If you aren't getting enough sleep at night, chances are you're not waking up all that happily. "Many adults in America get less than the hours they need," naturopathic sleep expert Dr. Catherine Darley tells Romper by email. "Adults need between seven and nine hours nightly, which is variable by individual. When people get less sleep than their set need, they enjoy life less, and are more irritable and angry."

It might seem somewhat unorthodox, but being more compassionate just might help you wake up happier in the morning. "When we're able to put ourself aside and serve others, we feel good," Russell sys. "Studies have shown that compassion decreases anxiety, boosts our immune response and it makes you feel happier." Helping others through whatever means you choose can help you too, just in case you needed any more incentive to show compassion to those around you.

In an interview with Prevention, behavioral psychologist Dr. Dana Lightman said that visualizing your day and thinking positively about it will help give you a little lift of energy first thing in the morning, which will carry over through the rest of your day. Take a few minutes for yourself in the morning — you'll be glad you did.

Unsurprisingly, getting intimate with your partner in the morning can also make waking up a little bit happier. In an interview with Women's Health, Debby Herbenick, Ph.D. and the author of Because It Feels Good said that having sex in the morning boosts levels of oxytocin in the body, making sure both of you feel happier all day long.

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No one wants to be told to smile more, but it just might help you wake up happier if you start. "[I]t's important how you look at life," speaker and life coach Gayle Carson tells Romper by email. "Smiling helps, thinking positive thoughts helps, having great friends helps, doing what you love helps, and also knowing that into everyone's life comes stress and issues. It can't be avoided. It's how you react to things that makes a difference and having coping mechanisms as well." Smiling might help you shift your perspective, which, in turn, just might make you realize you're already happier than you thought.