We moms are superheroes. As supermoms, we put our kids' interests and needs before ourselves. We strive to do our best for our family. We sacrifice whatever me-time we have (if any, hahaha) so that we can have more time to care for our family. Such an irony.
But sometimes, our efforts might backfire. Why? Because we might experience episodes of burnt-outs. We might unknowingly put ourselves under stress. We might be over-tired. We might feel under-appreciated. We might feel we are the worst mom in the world. And the list goes on.
Yes, being the mom of a young child or more (especially one under three years old) is rich and rewarding, but it can also be stressful. At times, we are exhausted, frustrated, and angry. We might be irritated and agitated with our husband and might occasionally pick fights. Hahaha.
Yes, being the mom of a young child or more (especially one under three years old) is rich and rewarding, but it can also be stressful. At times, we are exhausted, frustrated, and angry. We might be irritated and agitated with our husband and might occasionally pick fights. Hahaha.
The problem is, if we don't make ourselves happy, it creates a chain reaction that causes more unhappiness. This happens to me so many times. So, I have been experimenting with ways to make myself happy.
So far, I have found these 10 easy (yes, easy!) ways to be a happy mom!
Here you go!
#1: Stay well hydrated
Here you go!
#1: Stay well hydrated
Source
As moms, we have so many things to do every day. Sometimes, we conveniently forget to drink enough water. Some health experts recommend to drink 1 cup (250ml) of water as soon as you wake up each morning. Drinking enough water to stay well hydrated will boost our resting metabolism; this will keep us from piling up on those unnecessary weight. We're not gonna be happy when we put on weight, right?
As moms, we have so many things to do every day. Sometimes, we conveniently forget to drink enough water. Some health experts recommend to drink 1 cup (250ml) of water as soon as you wake up each morning. Drinking enough water to stay well hydrated will boost our resting metabolism; this will keep us from piling up on those unnecessary weight. We're not gonna be happy when we put on weight, right?
You can read this post about how to determine whether you're drinking enough water by looking at the color of your pee. Also, here's a very good article about 9 Tips for Staying Hydrated.
#2: Eat your breakfast
#2: Eat your breakfast
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Don't skip breakfast no matter how busy you are! Eating a good breakfast every morning will keep our metabolism running and keep us from piling on weight due to over-eating during other meals and unhealthy snacking between meals.
Don't skip breakfast no matter how busy you are! Eating a good breakfast every morning will keep our metabolism running and keep us from piling on weight due to over-eating during other meals and unhealthy snacking between meals.
Running out of breakfast ideas? Check out this post about 8 Easy Breakfast Ideas for Moms and more ideas on my #breakfastseries Facebook album.
#3: Choose your meals wisely
#3: Choose your meals wisely
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Do you know there's a NEW Healthy Eating Pyramid? The Healthy Eating Pyramid is a simple visual guide to the types and proportion of foods that we should eat every day for good health. It contains the five core food groups, plus healthy fats, according to how much they contribute to a balanced diet.
Do you know there's a NEW Healthy Eating Pyramid? The Healthy Eating Pyramid is a simple visual guide to the types and proportion of foods that we should eat every day for good health. It contains the five core food groups, plus healthy fats, according to how much they contribute to a balanced diet.
You can learn more about the new pyramid on this website and start choosing your meals wisely to stay healthy and happy! To incorporate more fruits and veggies into your diet, you can read up about this "Eat the Rainbow" nutritional guide.
#4: Keep your stress level in check
Source
We moms are always stressed out, no doubt. It's normal, we just need to admit it. We are not being a bad mom. It's undeniable that motherhood puts strain on our mood. However, we need to be aware that stress increases cortisol (stress hormone) that slows down metabolism. Stress also causes cravings and we might eat too much. This leads to weight gain, resulting in more unhappiness.
We moms are always stressed out, no doubt. It's normal, we just need to admit it. We are not being a bad mom. It's undeniable that motherhood puts strain on our mood. However, we need to be aware that stress increases cortisol (stress hormone) that slows down metabolism. Stress also causes cravings and we might eat too much. This leads to weight gain, resulting in more unhappiness.
On one hand, once we stop expecting motherhood to feel warm and fuzzy all the time, life as a mom gets easier. On the other had, we can identify stress relief methods that suit ourselves. For me, my de-stress therapies are definitely baking, cooking, and blogging. Less stress, more happiness!
#5: Have a cuppa of your favorite beverage
Tea? Coffee? Milk? You don't have to drink too much. Just a cuppa to drive away blues and make you feel relaxed.
#6: We love to move it, move it!
Whether you're a stay-at-home-mom, work-at-home-mom, or full-time-working-mom, we gotta move our muscles all the time. Sitting down too long hour after hour can take a toll on our body. I found this really fun infographic about how can do simple movements at our desks!
#7: Get enough sleep
Easier said that done, but really. Getting enough sleep is really crucial in the long run. Try taking short power naps whenever possible. Watch this informative infographic about Just How Bad is Sleep Deprivation?
#8: Get your priorities straight!
One key to being in a more positive mood is by setting boundaries and getting our priorities straight so that we can do more things we enjoy. In my case, when it comes to house chores, I don't (and I won't) do it every day. I hire part-time maids to do those more difficult chores such as cleaning windows and ceiling fans.
Am I being irresponsible? Nope. If doing house chores transforms me into a mean and unhappy mom who shouts at my boys, I will rather spend time playing with him. House chores can be done later. If I can't find time to do it, then so be it. Adopting this style saves me from becoming insane from trying to get everything done.
#9: Get "addicted" to a new hobby
For me, my new hobbies are babywearing and cloth diapering. Follow my journal here - instagram.com/myfluffjournal
10. Stay out of mom wars
#1: Recognize the triggers
Here you go, the triggers/topics that will start mom wars in the cyber-world:
Note: Alphabetically ordered
- Babywearing vs. Strollers
Sub-topic: Ergonomic carrier vs. Non-ergonomic carrier
- Breastfeeding vs. Formula feeding
Sub-topic: Covering up vs. Nursing in public
- Co-sleeping vs. Sleep-training
- Disposable diapers vs Cloth diapering
- Full-time-working-mom vs. Stay-at-home-mom
- Home-cooked food vs. Organic food vs. Outside / Takeaway food
Sub-topic: Food with salt, sugar, seasonings vs. Food without seasonings
- Natural / Vaginal birth vs. Cesarean birth
Sub-topic: Drug-free birth vs. Painkillers
- On-schedule vaccination vs. Delayed vaccination vs. Un-vaccinated
- Rocking/Parent-soothing vs. Cry-it-Out/Self-soothing
- Spanking vs. Time-outs vs. Redirection
- Technology (tablet, smartphone) vs. No-technology
The list will just get longer. In the cyberworld, every single day, there are thousands of questions posted on mommies groups on Facebook. On and off, someone will post a question with the potential of triggering another wave of mom wars, knowingly or unknowingly.
#2: Adopt the agree-to-disagree approach
This is easier said than done. Depending on personalities, some moms will try to shove their ideas down others' throat. Some won't give two hoots about what people think. Of course there are polite ones.
#3: Remain silent
Silence is golden, especially if you disagree with someone and don't want to make a big deal out of it. I think, if one chooses to agree to disagree, the next step is to remain silent and move on to the next post. We can't control what others post, but we can control and filter what we're reading and consuming from the cyber-world, right?
#4: Accept the facts
Yes, the facts. The cold, hard facts. People will always be judgmental. No matter what you do, how perfect your methods are, there will be some who disagree. About being accountable to yourself. About not having to seek everyone's acceptance and understanding.
If you have more points about how to be a happy mom, do share them with me! :D
#2: Adopt the agree-to-disagree approach
This is easier said than done. Depending on personalities, some moms will try to shove their ideas down others' throat. Some won't give two hoots about what people think. Of course there are polite ones.
#3: Remain silent
Silence is golden, especially if you disagree with someone and don't want to make a big deal out of it. I think, if one chooses to agree to disagree, the next step is to remain silent and move on to the next post. We can't control what others post, but we can control and filter what we're reading and consuming from the cyber-world, right?
#4: Accept the facts
Yes, the facts. The cold, hard facts. People will always be judgmental. No matter what you do, how perfect your methods are, there will be some who disagree. About being accountable to yourself. About not having to seek everyone's acceptance and understanding.
If you have more points about how to be a happy mom, do share them with me! :D
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