6 Ways To Increase Happiness According To Science

All moms and dads, whether they are parents of one or more, share a common wish that at times feels wholly unattainable. They want to be happy parents. Sometimes this feels like an impossibility because we are too stressed, too tired, and totally overwhelmed.

Let’s get something important out of the way first so that we can focus on some happy hacks. None of us will be happy all of the time and that is absolutely OK.  Give yourself a break. We all have days when we just don’t feel ok. Something has got us down. We are irritable. There is seemingly no end to the to list. These days and moments will happen despite our best efforts to be cheery, lovable parents at all times. Accepting it’s ok to not be happy all the time will help you understand yourself better and truly enjoy the moments when you are happy. Here are some tips on how to reset the balance and have more happy time.

Unwind
Moms tend to have this need to run in hero mode all day every day. Getting everything done for everyone else and then collapsing into bed at the end of the day exhausted. Contrary to common belief, sleeping is not the same as relaxing. Sleeping does, of course, help with mood and physical health. However, relaxing during the day or evening has additional benefits. In fact, studies from Harvard have proven that simply by clearing your mind for 15 minutes each day you can alter your health (and even your genes). Further studies have shown that relaxation improves mood and emotions too.

That’s just 15 minutes a day that could dramatically change how you feel.

Get outside
The Japanese have a word ‘shinrin-yokuIf’ which means forest-bathing or ‘taking in the forest atmosphere’. It refers to the practice of spending time in nature for health. Study after study of shinrin-yoku has proven that it has both physical and mental benefits. The great news is you can practice in any green space and reap the benefits. 

If you have a garden, spend time outdoors eating meals, playing games, or even growing food. Being outside for even short periods each day boosts our vitamin D levels, inevitably leads to more exercise, and gives our energy levels a boost too. Exercising outside has even more benefits so mix up your outside time. “Researchers at the University of Essex studied the effect of exercising in the presence of nature and found that it had a particular benefit for mental health.”, Says Nina Turner a health writer at Australia2write and Write My X.

Even if you don’t have a garden, mix outdoor time into your week with walks, trips to the playground, and bike rides. You will feel better for it, as will the whole family.

Know your body and your mind
Moms often see themselves as less of a priority when it comes to self-care. The opposite could not be more true. Without caring for our own bodies and minds, we can not fully care for anyone else. 

Learn to tune in to your body and your mind. When you do, you will find that your body has been trying to communicate with you all along and it’s a bit of a know it all. Tuning in helps us maximize our happy time because we learn to understand our own needs better. We also start to enjoy how our bodies respond to better foods and rest. Tuning in means no longer ignoring your own needs and telling yourself that it is ok to put yourself first.

Routine
A healthy routine is both balanced and flexible. It is great to have a routine that keeps the home and family running as smoothly as possible. Routines are helpful for elevating stress. However, when the routine starts to rule you, you’re in trouble. Routines can’t plan for when a little one needs an extra cuddle or mom or dad just needs to sit down for a while. Let yourself off if you don’t stick regimentally to the plan. Sometimes it’s ok to not do something or to do it later in the day or week. 

Know also that the routine should include everyone. It is not just mom’s job to pick up toys or mop the floors. Home should be all hands on deck. “Little ones can wipe crumbs up and big ones can vacuum. It is proven that this helps them later in life. So you’re basically doing them a favour.” Says, Claire Burns lifestyle blogger at Britstudent and NextCoursework.

Register how you feel
Have you ever accidentally shouted at your child our of pure frustration? We all have. No parent is perfect. When you are experiencing anger, sadness or any type of negative feeling, it can help to take a second to register how you feel. What is vital is that you know that there is a difference between how you feel and who you are. This is why registering your feeling and acknowledging its existence is helpful. You might feel angry but that does not mean you are an angry person. You might feel sad or depressed, but that does not make you a negative person. You are experiencing feelings, some will be fleeting and others will linger. Either way, they will pass. When we register how we feel, it is easier to turn our moods around or, in the case of depression and other feelings of overwhelm, to ask for help.

Hugs
Lastly, possibly the best trick for getting happy is hugs. Don’t believe me? It’s science. Hugging release oxytocin which is a happy little hormone that’s known as the bonding hormone. Oxytocin helps reduce stress, can relieve postpartum depression, it literally makes us happy. So next time you need a dose of happiness or even if you’re as happy as it gets, grab hold of one of your little ones and have a cuddle. 

Michael Dehoyos is a dad of four and a content marketer and editor at Dissertation Writing Service and Write My Essay. Michael assists new moms and dads with how to cope with stress. He is also an editor at Origin Writings.