What small changes have you made to improve your physical and emotional wellbeing?

[MatildaTheGreat]

I'm overweight, drink too much and don't eat properly during the day so end up snacking at night.

I work full time, but erratic hours and being a very routine person I find it difficult to achieve things regularly. I also waste a lot of my free time through procrastination and lack of motivation.

So I'm looking to make small changes to improve my physical and emotional wellbeing.

I plan to start walking more, and looking forward to the weather improving. I'm also trying to get more organised with healthy food to take to work. I am also going to buy myself a bunch of flowers each week and try to read more.

What little changes have you made?

I resolved to read a book a week this year. I'm one of those people that thinks of myself as 'a reader', has a house full of books and keeps buying more...but in recent years I haven't actually read that much.

I've deliberately made more time to read, especially at points in the day like breakfast that I would usually spend on the internet, and I've been loving it so much I've read more than one book most weeks. I've read as many books since Jan the 1st as I did in the whole of last year.

Yoga & Mindfulness help me cope with my disability. CBD oil for pain-and sleeplessness.

I got a dog, having to walk her 5k a day has done me the world of good. I would never walk anywhere before through choice but find the peace and enjoyment of beautiful scenery does my mental health the world of good. I've lost weight and feel fitter than I have done in years.

May not be the kind of thing you’re after but I always do one ‘chore’ before I leave the house for work. Even if it’s unload the dishwasher (and not reload it). Or change one bed (not all of them). Amazing how much that helps me just get it done.

Love this thread!

I have cut down to one coffee at breakfast and one tea in the evening. This also means I've cut out some sugar as I have one spoon in coffee. None in tea anyway.

I go walking two evenings a week with my friend. We do just over three miles. Not trail blazing but at least I'm up doing something and I've lost a few lbs. Can't fit in anything else around my work/ dh work / ds clubs / evening meetings etc

I crochet or cross stitch in the evenings instead of scrolling through facebook. Deleted people that were posting rubbish and bogging me down.

Try to always have a book on the go. I can really loose myself in the stort.

Gardening great physical workout, out in the fresh air and lovely to see a tidy garden and new things growing.

Work doesn't get mentioned again after I leave and I've stopped phoning a colleague in the evening as thiswas just dragging me down.

That's all I can think of just now but might be back.

I walk to the station morning and evening (20 to 30 mins each way); cut down chocolate and rubbish sugary snacks; cut down alcohol consumption to a bit at the weekend, and changed it from beer to wine or spirits and diet mixers. Lost 5 stone in a year and feel so much better mentally.

This thread is great.

I started 5:2 6 weeks ago and am noticing a change now which was very necessary. Helps me to control other days eating too.
I have never used FB so quite interesting to see people are starting to cut it out.
I try and exercise 4-5 times a week as it makes me feel better and also I list jobs to do that day in my phone so I feel good when I can delete them having done them.
Also, started looking after my skin a bit better - using decent creams etc and a daily suncream.
Good luck to you all with your changes.

Meant to mention another of Anita's things "what would you do right now, if you loved yourself?" that's seen me go for lunchtime walks in the windy sunshine or get up from my desk more often, choosing the a green tea instead of endless coffee (and having a secret dark chocolate stash for a teeny bit of every day), but also doing things such as emptying/reloading the dishwasher because I prefer to have a tidier kitchen (so I've done it for myself rather than because "I'll be waiting for days before anyone else bothers, ffs" and feeling all annoyed about it!).

No alcohol unless socialising, in or out of the house. Doesn't feel as restrictive as when we gave it up M-F as I still have a glass of wine at my book group and DP has a pint after training. Lost a couple of pounds and noticed a saving on the weekly shop too!

I love this thread.

The things that have improved my life have been:

1. Going self-employed. I love being my own boss and doing lots of different things I love each day, rather than being on a horrible treadmill (I was a full-time teacher and it made me very ill).

2. Taking on an allotment. It’s a gym, therapy and supermarket in one. For £20 a year.

3. Yoga. The best hour of the week. After class I feel like I’ve had a full night’s sleep, and it’s totally sorted out my lower back pain.

4. Being a bit more selfish. It really is okay to say no sometimes, or leave the clearing up to someone else.

5. Trying to get near the sea as much as possible.

6. Starting a reading group.

7. Giving up gluten. I didn’t realise how bad my stomach felt until it stopped hurting.

I now need strategies to stop me eating crap and drinking too much alcohol, and I figure I’ll be sorted! Ish.

After nursing both parents through horrible, terminal illnesses, I remind myself daily that my health is the greatest luxury. I have lost 60kgs in just over a year, and kept it off for two. First I put myself on my own self-prescribed “ELF Diet” (Eat Less Food) and lost a fair bit (as you know, it’s kind of easier the beginning of a diet...) I then had a health scare and was put on a medically supervised keto diet, which has both improved my health and kicked off the rest of the weightloss. It’s not the Pinterest “all you can eat Bacon” keto version. It’s proper Keto, with vegetables and nutrients. I’ll admit that I probably should exercise occasionally, but I don’t actually like it. Does window shopping count?

I’m veggie + non-dairy - this has stopped me feeling bloated and has improved skin, hair and sleep.

If I know I have a stressful day/week, I’ll plan lots of small treats to break it up and then focus on those instead. It can be anything from buying a new bath bomb and looking forward to a bath that evening or booking into my favourite restaurant and looking forward to it all week.

I had a huge problem with wishing time away, always counting down the days until the weekend/annual leave. So the mini treats have helped with that too.

I drive a lot for work so decided to pay for Spotify. This has made me look forward to my commutes, instead of adding it to the list of stresses.

Unlike many others on here cutting down on alcohol, I increased mind and decided to go to the pub regularly. It’s a really lovely local, they often have games/music nights and it’s helped me to meet a lot of new people. I used to be a couple of bottles of wine at home on the weekend type and would then feel guilty and sluggish. Now drinking feels more of a hobby and I’ve switched to real ale which is a real treat! Usually combine it with a Sunday roast or a Friday night curry too, it really helps me unwind.

Working at my marriage, being more loving instead of the nag that made 'me' unhappy..all the time.
Binned that behaviour, love brings love. I feel better for it. Open.

It sounds like a no-brainer, but cutting short faffing about on computer (and MN!) in the evenings and getting to bed a bit earlier. I can no longer get away with sleeping 1-2 hours less than I need. If I do this, concentration is gone the next day and I have urges to eat junk food.

Just checking in with this weeks progress.

Planning my pack lunches has really helped - I made some mini frittatas to eat with crudités as I am cutting the carbs. Also had a lovely dinner with lots of veg.

I had planned to do some yoga when I got in yesterday, but was too tired, so will try for today. Not beating myself up if too tired, because I know I will have had an active day.

I try to hug the teens each day that I get in. Good for my and their emotional health!

Thanks to whoever recommended Youper. Am having a horrible week so far, but it's helping me to remember that this doesn't mean that absolutely everything is horrible!

Justilou - So sorry about your parents.

Pengrin - your little treats for a stressful week point resonates with me. I'm also trying to make sure that my bath treats are either vegan, eco-packaged or both of those, and knowing I'm doing a tiny thing planet-wise makes them feel even more special.

So a week after starting this, I have lost 2lb, just from eating more mindfully.

Youper has helped me to feel more focused and motivated, and I have managed to incorporate a little more exercise.

I have a few days off work next week, so determined to make the most of it.

Tiny treat for this week - daffodils

@PotteryGirl

love brings love. I definately need to work on this.

Excellent Matilda I've also lost 2.2lb from walking and mindful eating! Still another 4st to go though
I'm finding that by being more aware is really helpful and also gives me some control

Also loving this thread.

The biggest thing I did was condense my work hours so that I worked 4 days a week I stead of 5, roughly 7:45am to 5pm. It worked so well that I decided to cut my hours officially to 28hrs pw and take a pay cut. It has definitely helped my MH. My ft salary was slightly less than the average, and is now much less than average, but I will manage.

Now I just need to Marie Kondo my house and do more exercise!

BTW, I also went vegan and loved it, but realised it isn't the right diet for me. I've never been so I'll as I was this winter, lethargic and low mood. I've now reintroduced organic eggs and dairy and feel much better for it.

I love Marie Kondo. I feel like I’ve spent my life filling it with stuff to make it easier, only it’s had the opposite effect. I’m gradually decluttering and feel like I live in a much nicer environment - provided I don’t look in the teen’s rooms too often

So glad I didn't kill the thread! I'm still liking Youper.

Tiny treat of the week = a MacBook. Oops!

I am a bit pissed but going to read this tomorrow when sober!

This thread is lovely. I'm feeling inspired and going to bed. I have been staying up till 1 every night so this is a good start!