Small tweaks to happiness....

[sharond101]

Looking for suggestions on small steps to bring happiness and enjoyment into my life. I have mental health issues which complicate things but small steps, no matter how simple, might make a difference and I am so open to trying anything. I feel like I am trapped in my head alot, weighing up decisions and talking myself down from anxiety. I am obsessed with cleaning and spend most of my free time doing this. I have 2 children aged 7 and 4. The 4 year old attends nursery so I have a little free time on the days I don't work. I have no idea what I enjoy or what to do with myself other than clean or exercise. I'd like some suggestions on how to have more fun, introduce more happiness or relaxation into my and my families lives as just now I feel trapped in a state of misery. I have issues around spending money (connected to a low self esteem making me feel I shouldn't be spending money on myself) so low cost is beneficial too.

I was going to suggest yoga too. I like Adrienne. Lots of different length YouTube videos - some for anxiety too. Can do them indoors whenever you want !
I also spend too much time in my head so listen to podcasts to distract me from thinking!
I do keep thinking of downloading some audio books if anyone has suggestions.
Also treat yourself to a nice shower gel that you lose the smell of. Maybe a perfume too.
I'll try the make up tip above, thank you.

Sewing is really good fun and great for mental health, you get really absorbed in it then come out with something usable at the end

Read in a cafe child free
Yoga
Gym
Zumba
Thrifting to flip- funds my own vintage clothing addiction. Feels great making my own money
Gel nails- picked up a kit from Vinted for next to nothing
Spend time around animals, I walk my friends collies
Write a journal

Gardening is definitely therapeutic. Keep going with that. Meal planning - with a focus on getting in season veg and really plan the meals around that. Join an art class - painting? Ceramics?

Take the dog for a long walk (usually end up carrying and cuddling him because he's small and old,

This ^^clutches heart

@Moominfan I got one of those kits for my Birthday actually and really love it! What is Thrifting to flip?

So I'm a vintage clothes hoarder, visit carboots, table top sales, charity shops ext. I'm not the best at this flipping business cause I end up keeping most of it but what I don't I sell on depop/eBay and the money I make funds my addiction.

@Moominfan I enjoy a good charity shop raid but its usually the kids that gain!

dancingbadger mentioned doing a course, I've just started a free online course from Yale, appropriately one about the psychology and science of happiness I'm interested in psych stuff anyway, there's weekly videos and reading, and then homework with tasks that are meant to increase happiness levels. (Only done week one myself so can promise nothing hehe, but if anyone's interested - www.coursera.org/learn/the-science-of-well-being/ )

I'm doing couch to 5k - I turned 50 a while ago and had been struggling with motivation and finding time to get fit. I also have mild depression which seems to come and go. I'm on week 5 mow and things I like about it are:

• it's gentler than I imagined, alternating 60-90seconds of running and walking to start with
• takes half an hour in total from leaving the house to getting home again
• other runners say cheery hellos
• I feel like I'm doing something good for myself but without loads of effort
• low cost - bought new trainers (£22 from decathlon) but that's all
• I switch off for that half an hr and feel better for it.

Apart from the above, making time to read really helps me - on the bus to/from work or at home in the evenings, so relaxing.

Meant to say - good luck, some great ideas here (which I will steal), small tweaks can really help.

Smells. I adore tiger balm. An oil burner and a few favourite essential oils.

Old fashioned, but go to a charity shop or online to Music Magpie and pick up a few second hand CDs.

Sit somewhere that is relaxing to you and think about what brings joy to your life then plan how to have more. For me, that means sitting my back garden thinking about my dog, planning our next walk/meal/enrichment activity.

Mines cottoned on, everytime we go he expects a new toy

Pets, taking photos of animals, trees or anything seasonal while out walking, radio and podcasts while driving or walking.

Trying new things like a new ingredient in a recipe or anything really that you haven't tried before.

Reading is good. Also just getting out and doing something like a class.

I now swim regularly and like you never spent on me and so it was a big thing to give myself permission, once I was earning enough, to spend on that.

When you are really struggling with this sort of thing, make sure you tell yourself what you would tell a friend that it is good to spend if it facilitates you experiencing something in your life rather than leading the narrow life which is just your own head.

I love a bus or train journey, it only needs to be a half hour or so long, it means i can just "be" i cant get up and do anything so i just have to sit there, rest and watch the world go by ! Sheer bliss

Telephone Laughter Yoga : )

www.unitedmind.co.uk/laughterclubs/telephonelaughterclub/

If you like dogs, you could offer to walk someone's dog for them, maybe if they are old/infirm, they would appreciate the help and human contact. There is a website called 'borrow my doggy' or just put an advert up locally,

@GOODCAT you seem to understand x

@Lellochip I am looking into that now x

@sharond101 There's a series of podcasts by the same woman who designed the course which are quite interesting too, called The Happiness Lab

Knitting, crochet and cross stitch are all really good for relaxing, I find focusing on whatever project I'm working on is great for anxiety, and supplies really don't have to cost much.

Lots of good tutorials online, ravelry is excellent for ideas for knitting and crochet projects, and etsy is fab for cross stitch patterns.

@CrowleysBentley I used to crochet and did in fact think of trying to do my Daughter a hat.

@sharond101 Ohh crochet hats are a great little project, I've recently made a couple using free patterns from here - megmadewithlove.com/accessory-patterns