How we start our day can set the tone for the whole day.

Good Morning Vietnam!

Good Morning Vietnam : https://youtu.be/6S8MV523ASA?si=X49lZrobtHgLKJ_s

If you watch this clip of Robin Williams in Good Morning Vietnam I am sure you will be smiling / laughing by the end of it. His character was in Vietnam to uplift morale which he did through comedy in a morning radio show at 6:00am.

Morning Routine

How we start our day can set the tone for the whole day.

I like to embed practices into my morning routine that support, enhance and rejuvenate my happiness, wellbeing (physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual), positivity, energy and productivity.

The great thing is most of these only take 2-10 mins each and return much more for energy, attention, mindset and mood.

These include:

Review my personal mission statement and goals
Gratitude
Journaling (Gratitude, Intentions, Affirmations)
Breathwork
Meditation/Mindfulness
Prayer
Learning
Exercise
Sharing a positive quote on HLH Quote Group

Over the last 18months or so - using the habit development strategy shared in 30 Day Gratitude and Journaling Habit Immersion Training Course I have added the following practices to my established morning routine:

High 5 Habit (Mel Robbins)
Reading a page of the Daily Stoic
Listening to favourite playlist while journaling and doing exercises
Extended morning Prayers
Breathwork exercises - 2 since Sep 2024 Retreat
Sharing prompts for Gratitude Group Practice (Not daily)

They each have a cue, action and reward.

Mylenation

Repetition is a key component to building habits, routines and skill. With deliberate repetition we ingrain the neural pathways. The neurons go through mylenation, a membrane/sheet thickens around the neurons. Thereby insulating and increasing the speed of signals between neurons. Similar to insulation on wires or think of it like super fast fibre optic broadband.

A great example of this is with a new evening routine with my mum.

Evening Routine - The power of prayer

My mum is in her mid-eighties, has Parkinson’s Disease and Dementia too. Dementia causes memory and cognitive issues.

Once 9th April 2025 the very first Unite for World Peace: Navkar Mahamantra Day Celebration was organised by a group called JITO.

Jain organisation from across the world took part to chant the universal Jain prayer for 24 hours across the different countries and time zones.

There were community gatherings to recite in person, online and all of it was streamed.

Due to mum’s conditions and mobility were we not able to attend these community gatherings.

Instead we just did the prayer ourselves at home just before going into bed to go to sleep. Having learnt this prayer as a young child, through much repetition and mylenation my mum was able to sing the prayers from memory. It is a 9 line universal prayer.

This has now become our evening ritual where each night we recite together before she goes to bed. Sometimes I lead, sometimes she does.

We have added a forgiveness prayer, the Kshmapna. I’m not sure if she had learnt this as a child. However she is learning it through daily repetition.

I use is as my way of asking for forgiveness in any issues looking after/interacting with mum that day.

It is a sweet ritual that I cherish allowing me to have a moment where I can be present, connected and ask for forgiveness with her. I know this will change as her condition deteriorates and she ages.

Celebrating 5 Years of the Happy Life Habits 30 Day Gratitude and Journaling Habit Immersion Training Course.

June 1st marks 5 years since Happy Life Habits launched its unique life changing 30 Day Gratitude and Journaling Habit Immersion Training Course. This was during the Covid19 pandemic and lockdowns where people were feeling anxiety and stress. Emotional and Mental wellbeing was being impacted negatively.

After learning to create videos, edit, subtitle we created in a really short time videos to support during Mental Health Awareness Week (MHAW) (same videos shared this MHAW). This including a live online workshop and the launch of the 30 Day Gratitude and Journal Habit Immersion Training Course.

About 20 people joined that initial course. I am grateful to that initial set of trainees and those subsequently for their faith, support, participation and feedback on the course. I felt we made a positive difference and keep doing so by sharing these valuable skills, habits and way of thinking.

The first course some found overwhelming as I had tried to give it all to them - the live sessions, journal practice, accountability, daily Facebook practice and also thrown in a 21 Day Gratitude Challenge on a different platform. It was extreme immersion.

We learnt from the experience to break things down, take it step by step, introducing new things bit by bit and help establish the habit and the learning gently so that it sticks. We learnt that learning and sharing together was powerful.

With each iteration of the course we made amending to improve and enhance the course and experience.

Now the course is broken down to be more that 30 days to provide that extra support and deepen the learning.

We now have a really comprehensive, one of a kind training course:

The Happiness Journal (The 5 minute Journal)
the Journal Workshop to start using the journal
Daily accountability / feedback on entries.
Weekly sessions to share more on gratitude, further the practice, address questions and challenges with the practice, enhance the practice with suggested actions
The 30 Day Facebook Daily practice is now on WhatsApp and this activity is done separately from the 30 Day Journaling Habit Development as a post course addition.
Celebration session / Meal

If you are interested in developing these positive habits register on the waiting list.

From 1st June in the HLH Gratitude Practice Group (https://chat.whatsapp.com/LbhAgWJ5ZSR4lYlrOp08c7) we will start our 10 Day Practice which we will extend through the month as we will likely pause for the Summer.

London Festival Of Architecture - A Walk through Space and Time in Mill Hill

Happy Life Habits is proud to be part of the London Festival of Architecture

We have organised a free walk titled "A Walk through Space and Time in Mill Hill" on Sunday 8th June from 9:30am - 12:00pm

If you would like to join here is the link:

https://www.londonfestivalofarchitecture.org/event/a-walk-through-space-and-time-in-mill-hill/

Please note there are limited tickets so act fast to secure your ticket.

NO Yoga Retreat! - Early Bird finishes at the end of the week

We (Saijal Ladd and I) have purposefully chosen not to have yoga at our Luxury Self Renewal Retreat at The Vedanta, Lincolnshire, 7-9th November.

Except Laugher Yoga which we will do.

Not because we are against yoga, in fact yoga is part of my morning route in terms of Sun Salutations (Surya Namaskar).

There are many benefits to the practice and way of life for our wellbeing.

We have chosen not to have yoga as there are many retreats and opportunities that offer yoga.

We want to offer something different that you can experience and incorporate into you daily life to benefit your happiness, wellbeing, energy and productivity.

That's why at our retreat we offer opportunities to experience:

Breathwork
Meditation
Laugher Yoga
Grounding
Walks
Gratitude
Journaling
Mindfulness
Sound Bath
Time to connect, reflect and be

Attendees of Sep 2024 rated their experience 9/10

What is included?

* Mix of workshops, activities, energisers and relaxation

* Workshop sessions led by Shaileen and Saijal

* Sessions to practice breathwork, meditation/mindfulness, movement, gratitude, journaling, sound bath & more

* 2 nights in shared accommodation with en-suite. Eco-friendly mattresses and Egyptian cotton sheets, guaranteeing a deep and restful sleep. Each room includes a welcome pack with body wash, shampoo, a vanity kit, lotions, and fluffy towels

* 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners - be nourished with wholesome, heart warming, vegetarian/vegan meals - no garlic/onion. Let us know of any allergies/dietary requirements

* Access to venue facilities (including our swimming pool and spa area with a sauna, steam room and jacuzzi, plus our 24-hour gym and games room) at designated times

* Refreshments station, with teas, coffees and hot drinks

* Walks in the beautiful grounds

* Relax & Connection time

* Various gifts worth £150+ including coaching session with each of Shaileen and Saijal

We also have pre-retreat and post-retreat session on zoom / in person and a Retreat Attendees WhatsApp group

Travel to and from the venue is not included - though lifts are often arranged with fellow attendees with a contribution to the fuel.

Register your interest, more info and FAQs at https://www.happylifehabits.co.uk/retreat

Banana Tree Reward Offer

The Banana Tree Restaurants have a referral program.

Sign up using my link and you'll get £10 off and I'll get a £10 voucher after you have visited the restaurant. A win-win for all.

https://gifts.bananatree.co.uk/claim/Shaileen-Shah-1747675099

25 Reminders to help you lead with meaning - Intelligent Change

This aligns with what we have shared in this blog.

1. What you focus on grows. Choose carefully.

2. People with clear values don’t get lost.

3. Discipline is freedom.

4. What you build will outlast what you buy.

5. Comfort zones are beautiful places. But nothing grows there.

6. You will never regret being kind.

7. Energy is your most valuable currency. Spend it like it matters.

8. If you don’t know what to do, do one thing well.

9. Your attention is your power. Stop giving it away for free.

10. The fastest way to earn respect is to do what you said you would.

11. Creativity is not a mood. It’s a decision.

12. No one is coming to give you permission.

13. If you’re waiting to feel ready, you’ll be waiting forever.

14. A good idea means nothing without execution.

15. You become what you repeat.

16. Say no more often. It’s a skill.

17. If you don’t define success for yourself, someone else will.

18. Action beats overthinking. Every time.

19. Your calendar shows what you really value.

20. Surround yourself with people who raise your standards.

21. Your future is built in five-minute choices.

22. Great work comes from curiosity, not certainty.

23. Don’t waste your life proving your worth.

24. Simplicity scales. Complexity breaks.

25. You don’t get more time. You get to decide what to do with it.

***Shaileen Shah - Happy Life Habits Coach, Speaker & Trainer***

Happy Life Habits rewires hearts & minds for better productivity, happiness and wellbeing in 10 minutes a day. We help you move out of the comfort zone and into the learning/growth zones. Our products and services help develop habits and continuous personal development.

If you want to receive articles, information on events and support Happy Life Habits sign up to the join the email list and join the Happy Life Habits Community WhatsApp Group

Facebook Group, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube etc links can be found at https://linktr.ee/HappyLifeHabits

Shaileen Shah is a Happiness Coach, Speaker and Trainer. Previously having been in finance technology for the investment banking arm of RBS during the RBS takeover of Natwest, the RBS takeover of ABN Ambro and the financial crisis he has experienced the challenges brought by uncertainty, change and stress. He is certified in The Science of Happiness and shares through Happy Life Habits. Happy Life Habits Positively Impacts Happiness & Well Being Levels by creatively and uniquely combining Personal Development + The Science of Happiness + Spirituality. A business for Good. For more information see HappyLifeHabits.co.uk.