How To Be a Happier Mom

Having a positive attitude is one of the most important things to do if you want to be a happier mom. But that is so much easier said than done. All the responsibilities, chores, sleepless nights, constant messes, lack of time, everything that is motherhood can be overwhelming more often than not. Using these 7 tricks can help you learn how to be a happier mom every day. (Well at least most days.)

Why can it be hard to be a happy mom?

This is what you always wanted. To be a mom. To have a precious little person to shape and mold, to guide and teach, who loves you more than anything in the world, and who relies on you entirely.

And yet…

Everything that comes with that role is getting the best of you.

It can be hard to stay positive, to not get overwhelmed by all the work you do, and to always make time for yourself, or EVER make time for yourself. Mom guilt anyone?

Even if this mom job is what you wanted, THIS overwhelm is not.

Maybe you haven’t slept in years
Maybe your child is way more high needs than anyone else’s kids you know
Perhaps you feel like no one recognizes a single thing you do even though you feel like you are doing ALL THE THINGS ALL THE TIME
Possibly you are just so burnt out and never get a kid-free second to breathe
Maybe it’s all of the above. And maybe it’s something else.

It doesn’t matter. What matters is I SEE YOU. I feel you. And you are not alone.

And I know that right now it all feels like too much but you really just want to be a happier mom every day. Because let’s be honest, when you are a happier mom you are a better mom.

So let’s get you there.

These 7 tricks will help you learn how to be a happier mom every day.

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7 Tricks That Teach You How to be a Happier Mom Every Day

Get Some Exercise.

The first trick is something we’ve all heard before: exercise.

Whether you

hit the gym
go for a run
log on and do a 20-minute Beachbody workout in your living room
do a mommy and me workout with your little one(s)
or simply walk around the block every day:

exercise is an excellent way to release stress and boost endorphins, which will help you feel happier overall.

A Little Bit of Self-care Is Important as a Mom.

Another important trick is to make time for self-care. This is in no way a one size fits all kind of thing. What counts as self-care looks different to us all.

This can mean anything from booking regular massages or spa treatments to simply making sure you take some time each week to relax and pamper yourself on the cheap at home. It really can be as simple as taking time to truly enjoy your hot morning drink, being sure to hop in the shower, or taking time to relax and unwind with either a book or a movie amidst the neverending tasks of motherhood.

Whatever self-care looks like for you, it’s essential for helping you stay happy and healthy as a mom.

Related: 4 Self Care Tips for Busy Moms

Surrounding Yourself With Positive People Can Make You Happier.

Who you surround yourself with matters. There’s a good chance that almost all your time is spent surrounded by little people and cartoons day in and day out right now.

But think of those possibly few and far-between adult interactions you are actually getting.

Maybe you’re stuck with a nagging mother-in-law who visits every single week, a bunch of whiney moms in the playgroup or storytime you go to just to get your kid out and socializing, or maybe even your best pre-baby friends give you a hard time because now you are in a different stage of life than them.

Whatever the case, minimize or eliminate the time you spend with negative people. Ok, so you probably can’t eliminate that nagging mom-in-law, but you can set boundaries and minimize those visits that always leave you feeling less than. Negative friends or acquaintances are easier to cut out.

It might feel tough, especially if you are a people person. But really it isn’t. Just find new friends, new playdates, and new activities.

Find smart ones, positive ones, and people who overall lift you up.

Practice Mindfulness and Gratitude

Practicing mindfulness and gratitude REGULARLY is life-altering. Meditation, a gratitude journal, etc. make a huge difference in mere minutes a day. Try starting your day with gratitude by writing down 3 things you are grateful for each morning and see the difference it makes.

You could also switch that up and do it at the end of the day instead. It just depends on what works best for you that you can regularly keep up with. Adding mindfulness into your days is sure to increase your happiness in motherhood.

Make Your Best Attempt to Sleep Better.

Getting enough sleep is so much easier said than done.

I haven’t slept through the night in years. Your sleep doesn’t have to be perfect every night (there’s almost no chance of that unless you are one of the REALLY LUCKY and rare few who have great sleepers) but you CAN make it better.

Go to sleep earlier, take naps if you need them (the laundry can wait I promise), ACTUALLY try to sleep when the baby sleeps, meditate before bed, have a device-free amount of time before sleeping, etc.

You might not be able to control how many times someone wakes up calling for mommy at night, but you can put in a good effort to get better quality rest in the time that you have.

Eat Well at Least 80/20.

Have you heard of the 80/20 rule as it applies to eating? The point is here I’m not telling you to jump fully into a clean and unprocessed diet.

But eating more naturally, with less sugar, less salt, and less processed foods does have a huge effect on your overall health. On your waistline of course but also on your energy levels, your mental health, and your sleep.

Try to adjust your diet so that at least 80% of the time you are making great choices. Whole foods, balanced diet, watching your ingredients and calories. (Not obsessively counting, but being aware of what you are putting into your body.)

Then 20% of the time relax on the rules and let yourself indulge a bit.

Have that piece of chocolate cake you’ve been craving all week, have that glass of wine or two to wind down, and enjoy all things in balance.

Making a healthier shift like this can do wonders for your health and mindset and thus your overall happiness as a mom.

Set Good Boundaries.

This can be a tough one in motherhood and is actually the cause of a lot of mother’s lack of happiness.

Think about all the chores you do around the house. Do you split them up? Have you asked for help? Have you hired help? Setting boundaries for this like how much will do each day and how much you will do yourself will help keep you more balanced and less resentful of the never-ending tasks.

We already talked about minimizing time with people who affect you negatively, that’s part of setting boundaries.

How about boundaries for how much you will let your kids ask of you? Maybe you are a breastfeeding, babywearing, bed-sharing kind of gal and that is what works for you. But maybe those things (or others) feel like too much. It’s ok to set boundaries with your kids too, no matter how little they are.

Wrapping Up How To Be a Happier Mom

By incorporating these strategies into your daily life, you will be well on your way to becoming a happier mom!

So if you’re looking for ways to learn how to be a happier mom, try these simple tricks. They can help you manage stress, find more joy in motherhood, and just overall feel better about yourself and your role as a mom. And that’s something we can all benefit from!

Did any of these tips really resonate with you as something you need to work on? Any that you’ve mastered already? I bet you can think of an idea or two I left off. Please share in the comments below!

Related: How to Simplify Mom Life