Lockdown positive changes - advice needed please

[Lockdownpositivity]

I would like to...

1. lose a stone - I comfort eat
2. improve my mental health (been very depressed) and get too stressed/distracted from what i have that is good.
3. get out of a rut at work - feel suffocated in my role....toxic boss...fee I don’t get recognised enough/ can’t see future there but I love company.
4. slightly frivolous but my hair and skin are so dry

Can anyone help me get on top of these this month?

Those are four quite big tasks to do simultaneously. Can you start by breaking each one down into smaller goals and then start with a few of those. So, maybe:
Swap snacks for healthy snacks (if you comfort eat in the form of snacking)
Try to do 2 minute meditation in the morning
Buy a conditioning hair mask and use it.

Then once you have got those you can extend them, move onto a new task.

Could you make time for a daily jog/run? Or even a good walk tbh. It would help towards weight loss, will help to clear your mind and give you time to think things through. Combine with trying to eat a bit healthier, upping your water intake and you’ll have better skin and hair too.

Also invest in a good hair mask and some luxurious moisturiser for the winter months, my skin and hair goes really dry in the cold. I usually make time on Sunday evenings to apply and also do some other self care things, then I feel a bit better about the week ahead.

Thanks both

@terrywynne yes I suppose a lot so good idea to chip away at each

@nimbose yes to jog time. Do you have any tips for haircare/skincare?

I’m struggling with how to love positively I. The work front also....

Definitely echoing what nimbose said. Jogging isn't for everyone, but some daily exercise outdoors will help you massively with the first three things.
Hair and skin, join Mrs Gloss and the Goss if you are on Facebook and head over to the MN health and beauty board.

I've set myself some similar task for lockdown on the basis that I should be able to stick to something for 4 weeks!

I've found it help to set really specific goals. So rather than "I want to lose a stone (which is quite a big ask in 4 weeks!)", I've set myself the goal of coming up with a meal plan of healthy dinners and only having 1 snack a day (no boredom eating). I've already a routine of going for a walk at lunchtime but I'm going to make sure I continue this, and I'm planning to do an exercise video 3 times a week (which is something I managed during the first lockdown but have got out of the habit of!). I figure these are positive changes to make, and if I lose weight/get fitter these are happy side effects rather than the end goal.

With the comfort eating (I do that too!) I find it easier if I don’t have the treats in the house at all. Then when you get the urge to comfort eat maybe there’s a way you could treat yourself in different ways e.g a nice bath with candles, a lovely cup of tea etc. Dark chocolate is my go to when I really neeeeed something, as it’s good for you, right? 😉

The heating and very hot baths/showers make my skin dry at this time of year. Drink lots of water and try not to have water too hot.

Finally on the stress, meditation might be something that could really help you. There are lots of different ways to do it, from a mindful walk to a guided meditation on YouTube, sitting quietly and really focusing on your cup of tea, or things like yoga and Qi gong, so you can try and find what works for you. I’ve recently discovered Qi gong and it’s really lovely! Lots of 10 minute beginner practises on YouTube.

Gratitude diaries are meant to be good too, where you write 3 things you’re grateful for each day. I do this every now and then but not all the time.

I’ll be watching for more ideas too, I think self care will be really important for us all this winter.

Walking/jogging is a good suggestion from pp. I don't really jog but I find a walk around the block clears my head and I often find myself thinking through issues while I walk so you could use the time to think about ideas for the work situation. Or do a meditation walk as mentioned. Or just notice what is going on around you.

Improving your mental health will make everything else more feasible or more tolerable; I'd focus on the mental health strategy. Focus on what you can do.

Thanks everyone lots of great ideas

Definitely agree with a daily walk particularly if you can get to a park or a bit of countryside . You are unlikely to lose weight through walking alone but it will help your stamina, fitness and time you up . Also it's great for feeling happier and more positive, particularly if it's a day like today with autumn colours and sunshine .

Also a good time to think things through . Mostly when I've come up with solutions to improve my everyday life it's come to me when I've been walking .

An easy way to improve your diet is to replace half the food in your plate with extra veg . (sadly a tip I'm not following myself at the moment , eating an awful lot of toast but it does work when I've done it).

Catching up.

Will start with a nice long walk in the morning

Going to google hair and skin care this evening!

Any thoughts on how I can turn round the work issue?

I can relate to 1) and 2) I’ve just started an online 30 day yoga program (Yoga with Adriene on YouTube) which has lifted my mood and it’s only day 3. You could try this in addition to outdoor exercise, such as walking or jogging.

Perhaps lifting your mood generally will help tackle the work issues? If you love the company, perhaps you should start looking for internal roles or a sideways step.

For dry skin, use a regular exfoliator - I like salt scrubs but look for something that suits your skin type - as well as moisturiser. For dry hair, try a hair mask/intensive conditioner.

It's hard to give super detailed advice on the job without knowing more about the industry, your role etc but could you try sitting down and writing out some specific examples of times you haven't received recognition/your boss has been toxic etc. Then is there anything that is in your power to do differently if those situations arose again ie: could you be vocal in promoting your achievements (it can be easy to just hope people notice)?
Do you have any reviews coming up where you could discuss career progression? Is there any relevant training you could do?
And maybe look to see what other companies there are out there you could work dory. You don't have to make a decision to move but you'll be in a better place to make decisions if you have a fuller picture of your options.