What small healthy habits do you have that make a noticable difference to self care

[useragsj]

For me it’s been washing and cleansing my face daily, drinking more water and having lots of veg. It is hard to keep it up when you feel low though!

I'm watching with interest.

Sometimes the smallest things are all I can muster in one day.
Today it has been a bath with an ice cold lemon squash and a face mask.

I go for a swim straight from work at least twice a week. The current system of having to book one in advance works well for me because it is harder to find an excuse not to go. I sleep so much better when I've done it.

Getting nails done

Ensuring I get lot of fruit and vegetables into my diet.

Reading and yoga.

I write a list of gratitudes each day (as recommended by the amazing book ‘The Unexpected Joy of the Ordinary’). I have to do at least 6 each day. It reframes the way that I think of my day and makes me appreciate little things in the day as I’m always looking for things to write on my list. I struggle a bit with my mental health. This helps.

Getting outside into the air every day, no matter the weather
Good sleep hygiene
Reading for pleasure
Starting the day with Gratitude

Exercise
Good sleep hygiene
Reading

Following.

I would love a full nights sleep. My eyes are narrowing in the direction of my lovely toddler.

Fresh hair and day light makes a big difference for me to.

Lots of water.

Valuing sleep.. I to bed at the same time each night and listen to a sleep story on the Calm app.

Daily fresh air. Even if it's just 5 minutes in the garden.

I've recently learned that it's ok for me to say no to others and it's pretty empowering.

How do you muster up 6 gratitudes on a shit day? What sort of things do you write down.
I'm on a general downer so intrigued.

Taking a multi vitamin. Silly really, but I work nights so neither eat nor sleep optimally I definitely notice if i miss one!

@Lilliput I write down tiny things that have been good. The other day I even wrote down the feeling of warm feet having had feet in wet shoes all day (mostly a shit day), seeing sheep in the sun on a misty morning (I am honestly not as much of a wanker as that makes me sound - but I like those sorts of mornings and it made me smile). Sometimes it’s really really hard to come up with 6+ things but that is sort of the point as it makes you notice the moments of brightness in otherwise pretty shit days.

I am not usually one for self help books but this one I liked. And it makes a difference to me. I am sure it’s not for everyone - I don’t think that there is one solution that fits all. I’m sorry that you’re feeling rubbish though - I recognise the downer (I am going to struggle to find 6 gratitudes today!!!).

BHF 10 minutes workout: www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/activity/10-minute-workout

It's the only exercise I do regularly (sadly)
It has an amazing effect on my mood.

Also: whenever I feel peckish between meals, drink a pint glass of water first.

I drink nearly a pint of water first thing in the morning while I'm waiting for the kettle to boil.

Ooh good thread, following!

Not wearing skin make up every day, one real benefit of lockdown and the fact I'm still working from home is that it got me out of the habit! I've only worn full foundation fewer than 5 times in the last 6 months, the other times I've worn a tinted moisturiser, and a few days a week (depending on what I'm doing) I'll only wear mascara and a tiny bit of under eye concealer. I think my skin is definitely better for it.

Ladyloolaa
seeing sheep in the sun on a misty morning (I am honestly not as much of a wanker as that makes me sound)
That made me laugh so much! Thank you!

I use headspace everyday.
Use nice lotions and potions daily.
Trying to be organised keeps me well. I get anxious and down if I let this slip although will never be one of those magical creatures that are always on top of things.

Watching with interest. I have a week to myself soon (no work, no children) so it would be a great time to create new habits).

[quote LadyLooLaa]@Lilliput I write down tiny things that have been good. The other day I even wrote down the feeling of warm feet having had feet in wet shoes all day (mostly a shit day), seeing sheep in the sun on a misty morning (I am honestly not as much of a wanker as that makes me sound - but I like those sorts of mornings and it made me smile). Sometimes it’s really really hard to come up with 6+ things but that is sort of the point as it makes you notice the moments of brightness in otherwise pretty shit days.

I am not usually one for self help books but this one I liked. And it makes a difference to me. I am sure it’s not for everyone - I don’t think that there is one solution that fits all. I’m sorry that you’re feeling rubbish though - I recognise the downer (I am going to struggle to find 6 gratitudes today!!!).[/quote]
When I remember, I do three gratitudes and three things I'm proud of. Just tiny things like being supportive to a friend, or finally starting a chore I've been avoiding. At least one of my gratitudes usually ends up being food-related

Following

Kegels! I pin them to a routine daily task so that I do them at the same time. There's no way I'm letting the kids hog the trampoline!

Over lockdown, I had a horrendous nasty muscle spasm in one whole leg. Honestly, it was worse than childbirth.

Since then, I do Yoga with Adriene every night. Or at least 6/7. Even if it's just a 6-min video, although I try to do one of the 30-45 min ones whenever poss.

It's changed my life. I used to have lots of "middle aged stiffness" and pains and they're almost gone now. I walk taller - I realised I had developed a slight stoop - I'm only 41! So glad I started.

Someone told me once that self-care is not about taking baths and drinking smoothies – it's about doing the grown-up, not-so-pleasant stuff that you need to do to have your life work. Caring for yourself like a parent would – not like an Instagrammer would. And that REALLY stuck with me.

So now I do one thing every day that I'm avoiding or stressed about, preferably as early in the morning as possible. It might be calling my accountant to sort out some kind of sticky issue I don't fully understand, doing a work task I don't think I'll enjoy, cleaning the car out... and if I'm struggling to think of something to do, I think harder – there's always something I'm avoiding.

I sleep better now, and I respect myself more.

Also, in direct contrast to the 'self-care is not instagrammable' message above, I take my makeup off and wash my face at least an hour before bedtime – sometimes more. That way I'm not sleepy and I do a more thorough job

Drinking lots of water
Lots of Fruit and veg
No booze
Limit to one coffee a day - ideally none ... but that’s hard!
Cut out takeaways
NO sweet things in the afternoon. Makes me feel meh and headachy

Get out of the house before midday every day. Get out of breath at least once a day.

I really like that @ladybee28.
I do it with work, I always try and get my worst job out of the way first. Why didn't I think to apply it to the rest of my life?
I'm still having my face packs and shit though .