becoming a new mum can be a stressful experience for even the most patient woman.
surviving on little sleep and with little time for themselves, many find they are unfulfilled and unhappy.
but now researchers have revealed a ten-point action plan to help young mums out of the doldrums.
suggestions include saying hello to a stranger, turning off the television and spoiling themselves with a treat every day.
by following the steps, mothers should be able to lead a fulfilling and contented life.
the research was carried out by netmums, an online support group who asked 1,000 new mothers to follow the principles.
after just 28 days, mothers had reported significantly higher "happiness levels".
netmums co-founder sally russell said: "research has shown that mothers are at their least happiest stage in the first few years of bringing up children becasue they are so stressed and overworked.
"social isolation is one of the main reasons for this."
"these steps are about mothers taking a little bit of time to make themselves happy."
how you can put a smile on your face
1. count your blessings. list ten things you like about yourself in a "happiness diary".
2. have a laugh every day. laughter comes easily to children, so try to get them giggling.
3. do a good turn. let someone have your parking space - or offer your partner a massage.
4. treat yourself everyday. home pedicure, glass of wine or some chocolate.
5. halve your tv viewing. instead, complete a task that you keep putting off.
6. say hello to a stranger. and smile as you do so.
7. look after something you"ve planted. smell the soil as you plant seeds.
8. get physical. do 100 skips and try to remember childhood rhymes.
9. phone or talk to a friend. think of four things you really want to ask them.
10. talk time. try to book an hour of quality time with your partner every week.
(agencies)
即使是最有耐性的女人，在初為人母時也會感到緊張不安。
許多人睡不著覺，幾乎沒有屬于自己的時間，這讓她們感到沒有成就感，沒有快樂。
不過，研究人員最近公布了十點行動計畫，以此幫助年輕媽媽走出憂鬱的泥淖。
他們建議年輕媽媽和陌生人打招呼、關掉電視機、每天來點美味犒勞一下自己。
按照這些步驟去做，媽媽們一定會感到日子充實、心情愜意。
這項研究由網上互助組織“媽媽網”負責進行，它邀請了1000位新媽媽前來嘗試這些措施。
研究僅僅進行了28天，就有年輕媽媽說她們感到非常“快樂”。
“媽媽網”創始人之一莎莉·羅素說：“研究顯示，在撫育孩子的最初幾年裏，媽媽們最不開心。這個時期，她們的壓力和工作量都很大。”
“與社會脫離是產生這一現象的一大原因。”
“這些措施僅佔用媽媽們一點點時間，卻可以讓她們開心和快樂。”
怎樣讓自己保持微笑?
1. 快樂知多少。在“開心日記”裏記下十件你喜歡並且是關于你的樂事。
2. 開懷大笑每一天。小孩子很容易笑，所以盡量讓他們囉囉笑。
3. 助人為樂。讓別人借用你的停車場地，或者給伴侶發條簡訊。
4. 自我娛樂。做做家庭足療，來杯葡萄酒，吃點朱古力。
5. 縮減一半看電視的時間。把看電視的時間用來做以前遲遲沒有做的事。
6. 和陌生人打招呼，對他們報以微笑。
7. 照料您的植物。播種子時聞一聞泥土的氣息。
8. 鍛煉身體。每天跳100下，背誦一些童年的歌謠。
9. 給朋友打打電話聊聊天。想出四件你打心眼裏想問他們的事情。
10. 交流。和伴侶計畫好，盡量保證一周一次一個小時的高質量談話。
vocabulary:
doldrums: a period of depression or unhappy listlessness(憂鬱期，沒精打採的日子);例如：in the doldrums(精神沮喪)
treat: 美食，源于動詞treat(請客吃飯，招待)
a good turn: 善良的行為