Anyone else finding small daily routines really help their mood?

[Alyah]

Lately I’ve been trying to make small changes to feel a bit more positive day to day — things like going for a quick walk in the morning, keeping my phone away for the first half hour after waking up, and actually sitting down for breakfast instead of rushing around.
It sounds simple, but it’s honestly made a big difference to my mood and energy. I feel calmer and a bit more in control, even on busy days.
Does anyone else have little routines or habits that help them feel better? I’m always looking for new ideas that are easy to stick to.

Instead of going on to social media before I start work, I sit at my desk and do a quick 5 minute sketch/scribble, whatever. Doesn't matter if it's good or not, the main thing is I'm doing something I like, rather than mindlessly scrolling.

Yes, totally agree! I’ve started doing something similar — just a quick walk and a proper cup of coffee before looking at my phone, and it honestly sets the tone for the whole day. I’ve also started making my bed first thing in the morning, which sounds silly, but it makes me feel like I’ve already accomplished something. It’s the little things that really add up.

Yes. I always try to sit down and have my breakfast and a coffee after the school run in silence and just enjoy five minutes. I also try to have a bath each night when the kids are in bed and 20 minutes reading.

It’s the ditching the smart phone for a while that makes the difference. I always feel better when I do it but it’s so hard. Look at me now, 5am can’t sleep on mumsnet! I should go and read a book.

I’ve always enjoyed just pottering about at home, sometimes with music or the radio on, but often not. I think it’s my form of mindfulness (as long as I’m not under too much pressure to get stuff done).

Yes, i started playing a game on my laptop on the evenings on the sofa with a good sitcom on the tv to make me laugh, to stop me off doom scrolling on my phone. Its actually made a really big difference to my anxiety/stress levels.

I started having a satisfying breakfast. Have the same almost every day - fruit, kefir and granola.
i work shifts - on days off I often have it in bed and watch something on my ipad. On work days I take it to work.
its reasonably healthy - previously I would eat all kinds of stuff but never enough and then be more likely to snack.
this is a good start to the day for me.

I love that it’s something creative and just for you. I might try that — it sounds like a nice way to start the day with a calm mind instead of jumping straight into screens.

The bath and reading combo sounds especially relaxing!