Motherhood is hard. You are not alone if you think that. It is so easy to become overwhelmed by all that is required of moms everywhere.
If you’re not careful, you can fall into the comparison trap feeling as if you will never measure up to the “perfect” moms you see on social media.
I’m going to let you in on a little secret – no mom is perfect.
You can take ownership of your motherhood by making small changes to increase your happiness.
15 life-changing habits of happy moms
Incorporate these habits of happy moms and take notice of the positive changes in your attitude and your motherhood.
1 // Let the light in
Sunshine is good for the soul. As soon as the sun comes up, open your curtains and your blinds and let that natural light flood into your home.
Even if it is cloudy or rainy outside, the natural light that comes into your home through your windows is an instant mood lifter.
2 // Make your bed
Making your bed is one simple, yet powerful thing you can do to boost your mood and your productivity.
Completing this small task first thing in the morning will make you feel accomplished and ready to tackle your day.
3 // Turn on some tunes
Good music makes even the most mundane tasks seem not so bad.
If you have laundry or cleaning to do during the day, turning on your favorite tunes will motivate you to get more done.
If there’s something that you don’t particularly love doing, listen to some music that you love to help the time pass by more quickly.
4 // Get ready for the day
One of the perks of being a stay-at-home or work-at-home mom is the luxury of staying in your sweatpants all day every day.
That may seem amazing at first, but it’s really not good for the long haul.
Getting dressed in something that makes you feel great and putting on a little makeup works
I always feel more productive on the days that I get dressed and ready for the day – even if it’s something comfortable.
I accomplish more, I am in a better mood, and I am not caught off guard if something pops up during the day that requires me to leave the house.
5 // Move your body
As a mom, it can be hard to make time for fitness. I think we get overwhelmed with the idea of fitness because it feels like we have to do a lot or spend a lot of time to be effective.
That couldn’t be further from the truth.
The goal is not to run a marathon, here. {Although it’s totally okay if that is your goal!}
The goal is to get your body moving for 20-30 minutes a day, whether that’s taking a walk around your neighborhood or lifting weights.
There are so many things you can do at home without spending a lot of time or money that will increase your strength and improve your energy level.
6 // Play with your kiddos
If you feel like you are constantly looking around your house at all the things that must be done, take a break from your to-do list and make time to play with your kiddos.
Set aside a short amount of time each day get rid of the distractions and have some fun!
Play some games, go outside, or read some books with your child.
Add this to your to-do list if that helps ensure that you get it done. Your kids are little for a short amount of time. Enjoy it!
7 // Make time for friends
Motherhood is incredibly fulfilling, but it can also be extremely isolating. You are not alone.
There are other moms out there who feel the same way. Be sure to make time for your friendships.
We were not made to spend all of our time alone. We need community.
8 // Practice gratitude
Attitude is everything. It is easy to breed discontent when you don’t take the time to recognize the things you are grateful for.
If you struggle with discontent, start a gratitude journal and write down three things you are grateful for each day.
Do this for 30 days, then go back and read everything you wrote down throughout the course of the month.
This will train your brain to see the positive aspects of your life rather than the negative ones.
9 // Clear the clutter
Physical clutter leads to mental clutter. Studies have actually shown that clutter depresses people!
Plus, the more stuff you have in your home, the more stuff you have to clean up.
It is so easy to feel overwhelmed when you are surrounded by stuff you don’t need.
10 // Prioritize quiet time
I am a huge proponent of waking up before your kids to enjoy the quiet stillness of the morning.
Even if you only wake up 30 minutes earlier than your kids, it will totally change your life.
I use my time in the morning to drink my coffee while reading my Bible.
I also make time for other things in the morning like planning my day or working toward the goals I set for myself each month.
Click here to learn how to create a morning routine that makes you want to get out of bed.
11 // Plan your meals
Nothing beats knowing what you are going to eat for dinner every night. Planning ahead is essential for taking the stress out of dinner time.
Eating a home-cooked meal around the table as a family at the end of a long day is a great way to transition into an evening of relaxation and quality time spent together before bed.
Click here for more on meal planning.
12 // Establish good routines
When life feels out of balance, it is most often because we have exchanged good routines for a chaotic, hectic lifestyle.
Children thrive on routine, but so do moms.
When you have good systems and routines in place, it is easier to accomplish day-to-day tasks without feeling overwhelmed.
In turn, this allows you to focus on the things that make you happy.
Busy moms need good routines.
13 // Designate clean-up times
Moms tend to take on the entire burden of keeping house without thinking to delegate tasks to other members of the family.
If you are home all day while your spouse is working, train your kids to pitch in on the tidiness of your home.
When the home is tidy, it takes much less time to clean.
Make your kids responsible for cleaning up their own messes and designate clean-up times throughout the day, such as before meal times and bedtime.
They might complain at first but once they get used to it, it becomes second nature.
Requiring everyone to do their part will relieve the stress that comes along with feeling responsible for it all on your own.
14 // Connect with your spouse
This one is super important and is often the first one to get neglected when moms feel overwhelmed by the task of caring for young children.
Don’t forget that you chose your spouse before your kids came along.
Fostering a connection with the man you fell in love with will do wonders for your soul and your marriage.
Even if it is just for a short time each night after the kids go to bed, the connection is worth the effort.
15 // Get enough sleep
Sleep is also critical to your mood. Sleep deprivation is no joke, and it can turn you into a completely different person.
Even if you have a child who still wakes through the night, you need to make rest a priority.
Do not be ashamed to take a quick nap while your children are resting during the day.
If your kids are a little bit older and consistently sleep through the night, make bedtime a priority by going to bed at the same time every night based off of what time you plan to wake up in the morning.
Try to give yourself the opportunity to get 7-8 hours of sleep each night.
Now, it’s your turn
There is power in forming good habits. Make sure you are choose positive ones and remember these fifteen habits of happy moms:
- Let the light in
- Make your bed
- Turn on some tunes
- Get ready for the day
- Move your body
- Play with your kiddos
- Make time for friends
- Practice gratitude
- Clear the clutter
- Prioritize quiet time
- Plan your meals
- Establish good routines
- Designate clean-up times
- Connect with your spouse
- Get enough sleep
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