5 Things To Try This Month

 1 

Design your year.

As 2025 comes to a close, it’s worth spending some time thinking about what you want to get out of 2026. Over the years, I’ve developed a trifecta of tools to help you design a happier year for yourself. (Note: they’re much more fun than the usual tools proposed.)

 2 

Set an aim and start tracking.

One tool in the trifecta is an annual challenge — a group aim that my sister Elizabeth and I share on the Happier with Gretchen Rubin podcast. This year’s challenge is “Move 26 in ’26”: move your body for 26 minutes each day of the year. Join the challenge in the Happier app, where you can also create a personal aim and track your progress for free.

 3 

Try sleeping with a comfort object.

Many children use comfort objects like stuffed animals or special blankets to help them sleep. It turns out that many adults do, too. Research shows a comfort object can help you relax physically and mentally for higher-quality sleep. Does my electric foot warmer count as a comfort object? I think so.

 4 

Decide how you want to behave.

Many people are attending office parties and family gatherings this month — situations that sometimes may seem more fraught than festive. One of my favorite holiday hacks for heading into a tricky situation is to spend some time beforehand to think through how you want to behave. Plan ahead, so you’re not reacting in the moment. You can’t control anyone else’s behavior, but you can choose what kind of guest, host, or relative you want to be. 

 5 

Rest.

No one can operate at full speed without a break. Even the world’s busiest factories have planned downtime. Make some time for rest this month and do something purely for enjoyment.