3 months to sort myself out - where to start?

[KentishMama]

No idea what channel to post this in, so I figured here might do just fine.

So, I have suddenly got 3 months off between two very high pressure jobs. I'm feeling completely burnt out (to the point where my GP is using the phrase "Burn Out" and is treating me for anxiety) and I could just spend it on the sofa. But it's just dawned on me that these 3 months are a real gift. I could use them to do actively make myself well and happy again. E.g....

• lose the 2 stones 3 stones I've piled on in the shit show of a job that I just left
• become at least a little bit fitter (zero exercise happening here)
• treat myself to a few spa visits
• see a counsellor and deal with the anxiety thing properly

I do have family commitments, so whatever I do needs to be doable between the hours of 8:30 am and 3 pm.

What would you do with this time? What would you prioritise if you only had funds for some of my list above? And keep in mind that I am running on a nearly empty battery, so don't sign me up to any Boot Camps...

What a fabulous opportunity!

-Personal trainer so you can get fit and active with a clear plan and goals for the time you have available.

-Some kind of course like cookery or a language, something you’ve always wanted to do. Just to make you feel good and productive mentally.

-Make a list of things you want to do to improve your home environment, the kind of things you never get round to. A good home environment is crucial for wellbeing.

-A holiday!

I can’t think of any others right now...

Have you got a garden? If you have, how about tackling a project? Fresh air, exercise, low cost ... maybe your local garden centre offers workshops?

I live the idea of a college course.

Go to morning yoga classes then invite the others for coffee?

Volunteering, especially if you have some shareable skills.

This sounds great!

I would take some time off doing anything to start off with, as you’re so low on energy. Recharge first. Maybe watch some Netflix, whatever it is that you’d like to do whilst you do nothing.

If it were me, I would use the time to have a massive sort out of my house. Time I spend decluttering and organising my home would really pay off for me in the future.

But maybe you would like to do something more exciting and fulfilling.

What about a cooking course, yoga or gym classes or time there, learning a skill or a language or starting a musical instrument/singing/dancing, some craft or creative thing?

Having that kind of time could really help with your hope to lose weight as you will be able to plan and prep your meals.

Sounds like a great opportunity to do something for yourself. From your list I'd

-use the time to see a counsellor for your anxiety. This might lead on to helping with your burn out and give you the mental break and the some tools to help you in the future.

• Spa days. I love a spa visit myself and feel they form a part of my self care and find them massively beneficial.

The fitness and diet can be done relatively easy for free, I use fitness blender and yoga with Adrienne on You Tube, they have gentle programmes to ease you back into fitness, the 15 min ones are great.Pinterest is brilliant for healthier eating. But as another poster suggests I'd give yourself a break first, whatever that looks like for you to allow you to recharge, make that a priority first however long that takes then move on. I wish you all the best.

Rather than have a goal like lose x number of stones which is more pressure I would aim to eat more healthy. Make it fun rather than a stick to beat yourself with if your not perfect.

Getting that excess weight off will boost your mental health as well as your physical wellbeing.

Join the ramblers or start your own local walking group.

Or cycling. If you don’t have a bike you can buy one cheaply enough but so invest in a padded seat cover!

Getting out in the fresh air and nature whether it be the countryside or the seaside is very beneficial.

If you have a camera or a decent one on your phone go out and take photos with a view to making a personal calendar of where you live.

For relaxation you could make a book and film list and work your way through them.

Be creative. Making something is very fulfilling. Crochet, knitting, sewing, painting etc are all things you can learn and do and enjoy the satisfaction of the end result.

Volunteer dog walking if RSPCA or similar is nearby.

I’d give yourself some time to recharge the batteries and not timetable in anything to start with.

Then look at joining a gym or exercise classes, so you can feel fitter and have more energy. If you get some exercise regularly, you may find that your anxiety reduces or goes. If it does, there wouldn’t be the need for a counsellor.

You could give yourself some treats, like new clothes perhaps or whatever you fancy.

I agree that doing something creative gives a sense of satisfaction and a new skill.

You can self refer to free nhs anxiety courses depending on your area.
The ones near me mostly run during the day so fit around school hours.

I would want to declutter my house, but also sleep. I suspect sleep would win at least inititally!