Parent Magazine Flagler May 2019 | Page 8

11 s t e r c Se OF Y P P HA s m Mo By s k Hine ny a Mel Christ “Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.” - Dalai Lama W e know that happiness is an emotion that can come and go. But how do we recapture that bubbly feeling amid the challenges and stresses of parenthood? Here are a few tips from moms for staying positive and feeling good. LEAN ON COMMUNITY. Several moms polled for this article agreed that moms’ night outs with their friends help them feel more optimistic. And science proves it. Studies find that time spent bonding with friends boosts a woman’s level of oxytocin, a natural hormone that reduces stress. Check out mothers’ groups in your area if you are struggling to build a support network. 8 | F L A G L E R parent M A G A Z I N E