Moms and happiness

What You Should Know about Moms & Happiness Created by happify" Science-based activities & games for a happier, healthier life at Happify.com MOTHERHOOD IS A DEFINING EVENT 73% Being a mom improves a woman's self-esteem, and the benefits last even after the kids fly the coop. of moms say they are doing an excellent or very good job as a parent. Л What Makes Moms Feel Appreciated? YOU LOOK NICE!! Hearing "thank you" and getting Sharing chores Cards, gifts Breakfast in and childcare and flowers bed compliments Most research in the past has shown that people without kids are more satisfied with their lives than parents. But a recent study of 1.8 million Americans concluded that there's very little difference in well-being between the two groups. However, parents do experience greater heights and lows than non-parents. Parents tend to have: more daily joy more daily stress MOM ,46 Parents are happier than non-parents starting around age 40, according to a study of 200,000 women and men. 2 Most women say this is the ideal number of kids. MYN Parents find more meaning in life when spending time with their children than during the rest of their days. Forgetting Someone? Parents are less happy with their relationships than nonparents, and they're less likely to put effort into that partnership. Reengage with Your Partner Today Say, "I Love You" Hold hands Make time for Plan a date romance night MAKE "ME TIME" A PRIORITY Both men and women need time for themselves, but women are less likely to get it. Get Some "Me Time"-and Enjoy It! 00 Trust Dad to Ask for help Make time for Have a date Don't feel do more a club or with yourself guilty hobby MOTHERHOOD AND HEALTH Pregnancy and breastfeeding protect women from: Multiple Heart disease sclerosis Breast, ovarian and endometrial cancer Diabetes Chill Out, Mom Mothers who think they're the most important person in their baby's life and believe they should always put their child first are less satisfied and more stressed than less intense mamas. Feeling a Bit Stressed? Start Cuddling Holding our babies gives us a natural surge of the "love hormone" oxytocin that reduces blood pressure. WORKING HARD FOR THE MONEY-AND THE FAMILY 61% of 18- to 32-year-old women say they'd like to be a boss or top manager one day. Secrets to Women's Success Don't be afraid Know what others in your Charge what you're really worth Toot your own to go for a horn position make promotion and ask for it 62% 21% of working fathers say the same. of working mothers would rather work part time. Learn to Let Go (a Little) URGENT! Banish the Cell The least depressed working moms are Women feel twice as much guilt about answering work-related phone calls those who don't expect a perfect work-life balance. and emails from home compared to men. SELF-COMPASSION IS KEY Feel Guilty About Dividing Your Time? Self-compassionate people are happier and more optimistic and less anxious and depressed than people who are harder on themselves, and they're more likely to try again after failing. HAVE SOME COMPASSION (FOR YOURSELF!) YOU'RE $$$ AWESOME! Evaluate yourself like you would a friend Write a nice note Accept that you Remember what you're doing right to yourself have flaws THE FEMALE SOCIAL NETWORK Being a mom can feel isolating, but new parents actually spend more time with their friends and families than non-parents. Our Friends Help Us Women have large and diverse social support networks that help them cope with stress. .But They Can Hurt Us, Too Our social networks can also put a strain us when we internalize other people's problems. The Perils of "Co-Ruminating" Women who get together to dwell on their problems have higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol than those who come up with an action plan to move forward. Instead of bonding over your troubles: Share a hug and change the subject if you're not getting anywhere Focus on solutions Do something fun together! WHAT MOMS ARE REALLY THINKING ON MOTHER'S DAY 31% of moms say they pretend to like their Mother's Day gifts. Paying It Forward 2 out of 3 moms say they'd rather get a gift that benefits someone else than flowers or a card for themselves. WHAT MEN THINK MOMS MOST WHAT MOMS ACROSS MAJOR U.S. WANT FOR MOTHER'S DAY CITIES SAY THEY ACTUALLY WANT A gift card to Flowers their favorite store Quality time with family Fine dining out Brought to you by happify Build skills for a happier life with fun, science-based activities and games at www.happify.com Sources American Cancer Society Byrd-Craven, J., Granger, D.A., Auer, B.J. (2011) Stress reactivity to co-rumination in young women's friendships.Journal of Social & Personal Relationships. Deaton, A., Stone, A.A. (2014) Evaluative and hedonic wellbeing among those with and without children at home. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Ebates.com/Harris Poll Mother's Day Survey 2014 Enduring Love? Couple Relationships in the 21st Century. The Open University. (2013) Glavin, P., Schieman, S., Reid, S. (2011) Boundary-Spanning Work Demands and Their Consequences for Guilt and Psychological Distress. Journal of Health and Social Behavior. Hansen, T., Blagsvold, B., Moum, T. (2009) Childlessness and Psychological Well-Being in Midlife and Old Age.Social Indicators Research. Harris Interactive / World Vision survey. (2012) M.B., Kritz-Silverstoin, Wingard, D.L., et al. (2012) The association of reproductive history with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in older women. Fertility and Sterility. Light, K.C., Smith, T.E., Johns, J.M., et al. (2000) Oxytocin responsivity in mothers of infants. Health Psychology. http://www.livescience.com/15663-supermom-depression.html Margolis, R. Myrskyla, M. (2011) A Global Perspective on Happiness and Fertility.Population and Development Review. Modern Parenthood survey. Pew Research Center. (2013) National Cancer Institute National Institutes of Health Neff, K. D. (2012). The science of self-compassion. In C. Germer& R. Siegel (Eds.), Compassion and Wisdom in Psychotherapy. New York: Guilford Press. Nelson, S.K., Kushlev, K., English, T. et al. (2013) In defense of parenthood: children are associated with more joy than misery. Psychological Science. Nomaguchi, K.M., Milkie, M.A. (2004) Costs and Rewards of Children.Journal of Marriage and Family. Finding Love Again: 6 simple steps to a new and happy relationship by Terri Orbuch Pew Research Center Pocobelli, G., et al. (2010) Pregnancy history and risk of endometrial cancer. Epidemiology. Ponsonby, A.L., et al. (2012) Offspring number, pregnancy, & risk of first clinical demyelinating event. Neurology. Rizzo, K.M., Schiffrin, H.H., Liss, M. (2013) Insight into the Parenthood Paradox: Mental Health Outcomes of Intensive Mothering. Journal of Child and Family Studies. Schwarz, E.B., et al. (2010) Lactation and maternal measures of subclinical cardiovascular disease.Obstetrics and Gynecology. Stuebe, A.M., Rich-Edwards, J.w., Willett, W.C., et al. (2005) Duration of lactation and incidence of type 2 diabetes. JAMA. Steube, A.M., et al. (2009) Lactation & incidence of premenopausal breast cancer. Archives of Internal Medicine. Walen, H.R., Lachman, M.E. (2000) Social support and strain from partner, family, and friends. Journal of Social & Personal Relationships.