Hey there, Jen here, and this is a happy bit. So our kids are heading back to school this week

here in Wisconsin, and it has me thinking about routines. What kinds of things that could we

squeeze in each morning before they get on the bus and what kinds of things need to happen

after school or in the evenings? And so I figured everything out for our kids,

including chores and piano practice, homework time. But then I started to think about what's the

most important part of my routine. If you had to pick one or two items that do the most to

increase your happiness each day, what would that include? We could call this

the level one of your routine. I would have to say eating healthy, clean, whole foods,

and exercise would both be on my level one. These two things combined do the most to build happiness in my life.

Now you might be surprised that I didn't list meditation or prayer or other more self-helpy

things as my level ones. Well, the reason for this is that when my body feels good,

my spirituality and my happiness are dramatically increased.

So everything else just goes better.

That's why I list these as level ones.

So how can we more consistently exercise and build that into our routines?

Well, I have a challenge for you.

Begin now to schedule your exercise, write down exactly when

it's going to happen, and figure out a time when you can do it consistently. For me as a mom of six

kids, exercise has to happen at 5.30 in the morning or it won't happen at all, or not very consistently

at least. When I'm up before the kids, I can get that knocked out.

I come back feeling great and energized and uplifted and the whole day goes so much better.

It's a foundational level one, like I said before. So pick a time that you're going to exercise,

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