Habits of Happy Moms

So many of us try to be the perfect mom to our kids that we forget to take care of ourselves and end up miserable. Being a happy mom trickles down to your children and can help make their lives happy and enriched.  Below are some habits of happy mothers and how you can incorporate them into your everyday life.

Exercise

Take a walk around the neighborhood or run a couple miles on the treadmill. Getting exercise releases endorphins and can help anyone feel happier throughout the day. Yoga is another great choice—you could even include your kids. Yoga poses are calming, and some kids will remain quiet through the whole session simply by concentrating on holding their positions. Or make exercise your sacred “alone time” to really help clear your head and feel restored.

Ask for help

Don’t be afraid to ask for help. So many people offer, yet we seem to think accepting help is a sign of weakness. Try to let that go. If it makes you feel better, offer to help another mom in exchange for her helping you—a win-win. Whatever you need, don’t be afraid to ask for and accept help from others. You can’t always go it alone.

Get out of the house

Getting out of the house can really help your mood. You can take your kids on a hike, or to a park where they can run and play, or just walk through the aisles of your local grocery store with peace and quiet. A simple change of scenery can help shift the mood of the entire household and in turn create a happier mommy.

Don’t compare

In today’s world, we are so tempted to compare ourselves to others. Are we on track? Successful? Are our kids doing better than others?  Just because the neighbor’s child is skipping a grade does not make your child any less great. We all progress at different rates, and our own definition of success should be our gauge.

Girls’ night

Nothing soothes the soul like having a night out with friends to escape the routine. Get your girlfriends together and plan a night out for coffee or drinks. Reminiscing about old times, telling fun stories, and just laughing the night away can really turn your mood around. If you can’t all get together, plan an evening on a video call.

One-on-one time

Spend some quality time with each child individually. Spending 30 minutes completely focused on one child can strengthen your bond and encourage positive behaviors. This precious time together and the good feelings it promotes can cause a ripple effect and create a happier home.

Forgive and forget

Throughout our lives, there are many things that are going to happen that will cause us to be angry or upset. Holding on to those feelings allows them to fester and lowers your overall mood on a continual basis. Learning to forgive can be hard, but it can free you from unwanted inner turmoil and negative feelings. Choosing to forgive and move on with your life will allow you to be a happier person in general.

Get ready for the day

Over the past few months, many of us have gotten into the habit of wearing comfortable clothing or even wearing our pajamas all day. Getting up and dressed may add a sense of normalcy and help you feel more prepared to face the day’s to-do list. (And you’ll feel happy when those to-dos are done!)

Establish routines

Establishing a daily routine can help everyone have a sense of purpose and helps manage expectations. It also helps eliminate unwanted meltdowns that can happen when kids are caught off guard by a break in the routine. If the children know that bedtime is at 8, for instance, it comes as no surprise and they may be less apt to fight it. Less controversy equals happier moms.

Spend time with your significant other

Take time every evening to connect with your significant other. This time is important for your relationship and for your overall happiness. If you can’t find time to do this every day, try for a date night once a week. If you can’t leave the house, feed the kids early and then have a quiet adult dinner later while they watch TV or play games. Make time together a priority. You’ll model what a positive relationship looks like and add to the family’s sense of security.

Being a happy mom isn’t something that happens overnight. It takes effort and willingness to go with the flow as best you can. Try a few of these suggestions at first and add more in as it gets easier. Before you know it, you’ll be a happier mom.