Logging just your mood is a great start. Over time, though, a question comes up: why are some days better than others? To answer it, it helps to note a bit of context. Here are eight ideas. You don't need all of them. Pick two or three that fit your routine.

1. How you slept

Sleep is one of the most useful things to track. Note whether you slept well, badly or so-so and, if you like, how many hours. After a few weeks, compare bad nights with your mood the next day.

2. Your energy level

Mood and energy go together, but they aren't the same. You can be calm and tired, or upbeat and restless. Logging them separately makes the picture clearer.

3. What you did today

Work, exercise, study, time outdoors, leisure, chores. Tagging activities helps you notice which ones tend to show up on good days and which ones on hard days.

4. Who you spent time with

Friends, family, coworkers, or a day mostly on your own. It's not about judging anyone; it's about noticing what kind of company you need.

5. One line about the moment that stood out

What was the most important thing that happened, good or bad? A single sentence is enough. It's the kind of detail that brings an old entry back to life when you reread it.

6. Something you're grateful for

Optional, but many people enjoy it. It can be small: a good coffee, a kind message, a problem solved. It's a reminder that hard days have good moments too.

7. Physical factors

Headache, cramps, a cold, tension in your body. Physical symptoms affect how we feel, and logging them keeps you from blaming a bad day on emotions alone.

8. Weather and surroundings

Rainy days, a heat wave, a week of travel, a change in routine. These are things outside your control that can affect your mood and are worth having on record.

How to keep it from becoming a chore

  • The minimum is still just your mood. Details are a bonus, not a rule.
  • Use tags instead of text whenever you can. Tapping "walk" is faster than typing.
  • Review what you track every month. If an item never helps you understand anything, stop logging it.

In DailyBetter, you pick a face and, if you want, add a note, activities, sleep and energy to the same entry. The calendar and charts then show how those factors show up over the weeks. If you haven't started yet, read our guide on how to start a mood journal.