Value what you do

Happiness is more than just that smiley feeling, It's also feeling a connection to something larger than yourself. When people are in service to something bigger, they describe their lives as filled with meaning. It's not the smiley face, but when it's all over, you realise you'd do it again. Relationships are one of the biggest sources of happiness in our lives. The happier the person, the more likely that he or she has a large, supportive circle of family and friends, a fulfilling marriage, and a thriving social life.

A supportive family creates a strong foundation for your emotional as well as physical wellbeing. In most cases, it's a family that people go back to after a day's hard work and unwind, rejuvenate, and re-energize themselves. That's why nurturing your relationships is one of the best emotional investments you can make. It's the happiness gift that keeps on giving. The first step to being a happier mom, then, is to value what you do -- to feel that it's important. The next step is to find ways to make it more enjoyable. Not only will you be doing the best thing for yourself, but you'll also become a more effective mom.

"Take a moment to mother yourself. Nourish and care for yourself," says Sneha George, counselling psychologist, Fortis Malar Hospital. Sneha shares some suggestions on how to cultivate happiness as a mom:

Make your own alone time

By "alone time" it really means time away from your role as a mother—time to be you, to unwind, relax, rest, revive. This can include taking a nap, sleeping in, reading, going out with a friend, doing a project or activity you enjoy, or anything that helps you feel like the real you and builds your health and strength. Some need more or less alone time, but all will benefit from a few minutes each day, hours each week, and/or days away each year.

Seek out happy people

Happiness is contagious. You can literally catch a good mood (you can also catch a bad mood, but thankfully, sadness is less contagious than happiness). So, make an effort to seek out and spend time with happy people. Before you know it, you'll be feeling the happiness, too.

Reflect on what brings you happiness

What makes you happy? What brings you joy? Spend a few minutes thinking about each and either make a mental list of such activities or write down several ways you experience or would like to experience joy and happiness in your everyday life.

Experience life

Many of us get caught up in being so productive, we leave little time to enjoy and experience life. Slow down, take a deep breath and allow yourself to be in the moment without being overly productive.

Keep track of your happiness

Whether you journal, write it in the notes section of your smart phone, take a photo or simply allow the moment to sink in for later recall, find a way to hold onto the joyful moments. Over time, small positive moments add up and can change the way you perceive happiness.

Admit when you're stressed

Ironically, once you stop expecting motherhood to feel warm and fuzzy all the time, life as a mom gets easier. It's ok to feel frustrated, angry, tired, or irritable sometimes, You're not a bad parent. It's not even a bad parenting experience. It's just normal.

Saying you're thankful

Another effective way is to put what you're thankful for down on paper: Write the three best things that happened today. It might be something positive that happened to you, your kids, your spouse or friends, or in the world. It might just be something funny that your child said at breakfast. Of course, even if you do all of these things, you'll still have bad days. But at least you'll be less likely to think there's something wrong with you. And the more you engage in positive thinking, the more you will realise how much happiness is under your control. Not all of it, but perhaps more than you were aware of.