Wellness Tip:

Identify Your Joy Triggers

It’s cliché, but it really is true: the little things make a big difference in life. That’s why identifying your joy triggers can be such a game-changer.

“Incorporating small moments of joy into your daily life can have a profound impact on your overall well-being,” says Ness Labs. “By identifying your joy triggers and making a conscious effort to experience them regularly, you can create a powerful tool for managing stress, boosting your mood, and finding happiness in the present moment.”

The process is simple. Pay attention to the little things that bring you joy and write them down. When you feel stressed or anxious, choose an activity from your joy list and focus on it completely. It’s not a magic pill for your problems, but it can help you get through tough days and manage negative feelings.

What little things bring you joy?

Routine Breakdown

Susannah Davda, The Shoe Consultant

How a Shoe Expert Stays Ahead of the Game

Susannah Davda, founder of The Shoe Consultant, starts her day at 6:20 AM with the help of an alarm clock, as her phone stays in the kitchen overnight. She:

The Routine:

• Wakes her 8-year-old son with a touch of humor (e.g. pretends his soft toys are being cheeky). 
• Prepares breakfast for her son and then herself. “I usually eat seeded sourdough toast with peanut butter sprinkled with pumpkin seeds, with water and a cup of Earl Grey or matcha. I find if I don’t eat protein for breakfast, I get hungry within a couple of hours.”
• Gets her son ready for school, then heads to a gym class or cycles to the woods for some alone time. “I always feel calmer after a workout.”
• Showers and tackles the most pressing item on her work to-do list. “I am most alert and creative in the mornings, so tackling a challenging task first makes the rest of my day feel easier.”
• At night, she switches her phone off after dinner at about 7pm. “That way, my work brain switches off. I always read in bed and only switch the light off when I’m getting sleepy.”

Why it works:

• Humor in the morning can set a positive tone for the day, especially with children.
• A balanced breakfast with protein helps maintain energy levels and concentration.
• Physical exercise is known to reduce stress and improve mood—it’s a great way to set yourself up for a productive day!
• Tackling challenging tasks when most alert ensures that important work gets done.
• Limiting screen time in the evening promotes relaxation and better sleep.

Strategically planning tasks around peak productivity times can really make a difference to your day. When are you most alert?