Smile!

Introduce these 12 happymum habits into your day and watch what happens

You’re doing an amazing job looking after your baby, but to be the best mum you can be, you need to look after yourself too. As sure as the leaves fall off the trees in autumn, your own needs fall by the wayside when you become a mum, and your attention naturally gets directed to looking after your youngster. But being a mum is a tough, 24-hour job, and you need to channel just a little of that energy back towards caring for your emotional health to cope well. “When you’ve had a baby, a lot of emphasis is placed on physically healthy habits, such as allowing yourself to relax when your baby sleeps, eating as well as you can and doing some gentle exercise,” says wellness expert Justina Perry. “And while these are incredibly important, it’s just as essential to put daily habits in place that help you feel emotionally happy and healthy too.”

“Pregnancy hormones, sleep deprivation and a complete shift in your day-to-day routine can all have an effect on your mental health, and putting some simple measures in place to check how you’re feeling and boost your mood can make a big difference.” So it’s time to redress the balance. Add these quick and easy daily habits into your life and they will help you feel happier and more able to manage the ups and downs of being a mum.