5 Habits to Boost Happiness in Motherhood

Being a mom is tough, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy it. Here are 5 habits that will boost happiness in your everyday life as a mom!

Mom life is hard. That’s not a secret. There are unknowns: Am I doing this right? Am I doing enough? How do I teach them values? What does life hold in store for them?

There are unexpecteds: spilled juice when we’re running late, broken glass, blood and diaper blowouts and vomit.

And there are the seemingly never-ending tasks: laundry, dishes, baths, diaper changes, homework, making food that won’t be touched.

So yes, mom life is hard. But that doesn’t mean that it’s joyless. Not at all! As moms, we can experience happiness every single day–even on the toughest of weeks.

Here are 5 daily habits that will boost happiness in motherhood:

1. Find something simple you love to do with your kids, then do it every day.

What’s something small you do in your home that fills your heart? You know, that thing that makes your kid laugh or lights up their eyes in that way that makes you go, “This. This right here is why I love being a mom.” Figure out what that is and then do it every single day.

Maybe for you it’s reading a book out loud. Maybe it’s singing songs with little actions. Maybe it’s telling a knock-knock joke. It could be tickle fights or dancing around to your favorite song or talking about your day together. But whatever that thing is for you, find a way to make it a part of your everyday life. Can you tack it on at breakfast? After school? Dinner? Bedtime?

This thing might change often–especially as kids get older or you add another kid to the family–but try to always have something simple that you love as part of your daily routine.

2. Hug your kids daily.

Okay, so maybe this goes without saying, but hugs are SO important. Physical touch is such a necessary part of the human existence. We actually NEED it to survive. Beyond that, it connects us in powerful ways. Hugging your kids is good for you, good for them, and good for your relationship together. So do it multiple times every day.

Hug them when they wake up in the morning, before they leave for school, when they get home, before they go to bed. Hug them every time you or they leave the house–and then again when you return. It will make everyone happier!

3. Do something every day that makes you laugh.

Laughter is the quickest and easiest way to release endorphins and lift your mood. Have you noticed that laughter seems to instantly relieve stress and make what a couple minutes before seemed like the end-of-the-world suddenly seem like not-a-big-deal-at-all? I love laughter!

Be silly with your kids. Tell jokes. Let them tell YOU jokes. Watch a funny YouTube video or tv show. Play a funny game. Act like a kid again. A lot of life’s difficulties can be cured or lessened by a simple laugh!

4. Listen to upbeat music.

Music is another powerful life tool. Music can change our mood in an instant. It’s hard not to feel sad when we listen to a slow, sad song. When you’re angry, doesn’t it help to put on an angry song and yell sing (Avril Lavigne was a favorite of mine for this when I was a teenager 😂)? Songs can take us back to specific moments or memories with intense detail. Music holds power.

Think of those songs or artists that you have a hard time not dancing to or belting out the lyrics to. C’mon, I know you’ve got them! Then make a playlist with them (or a few to rotate) and play them every day. Maybe while you get ready in the morning or when you workout or while you make dinner. Listening to music every day will quickly boost your mood.

5. Take regular mom breaks.

Oh, the mom break. They feel so guilt inducing. But the reality is they are the OPPOSITE of selfish. If you don’t give yourself a break and take care of yourself, you’ll never be able to give your family your 100% best.

You need to take time for you! You deserve. They deserve it. Everyone benefits! So stop feeling guilty and take some time for yourself every day.

This can be so small and simple, like reading a few pages of a fun book every night before bed, waking up 20 minutes before the kids to fit in a quick workout, or listening to a podcast during naptime. Whatever makes YOU happy!

What do you do to boost your everyday happiness as a mom? Let me know in the comments below!

Want more habit ideas? Check out my other habits posts:

• 5 Simple Habits to Boost Mom Productivity
• 5 Simple Habits to Boost Self-Love
• 7 Things to Do Every Morning
• 7 Things to Do Every Night

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Britney is a wife and mom with a passion for helping other women see the good inside of them. She loves podcasts, polka dots, and dancing around the kitchen with her family.