What luxuries make your life easier/happier - particularly if you're depressed

[smartgreenball]

I've been careful over the years not to increase my spending as my salary has increased but I'm struggling at the moment with chronic illness and depression and wondering if I should be spending on a few more luxuries if it will make things easier rather than save every penny.

I know you can't buy your way out of it and I don't want to go crazy or spend for the sake of it but was looking for ideas that might make day to day life easier.

Initially I was thinking:

Cleaner - I live alone and have always felt this was unecessary but I am starting to struggle with energy/pain from my condition. I can do it, but it wipes me out for a day of the weekend and am starting to dread it

Fancy gym 2 mins away - I should be exercising more and it has nice facilities so if I liked going I wouldn't mind paying the extortionate fee but I'm worried i'll be intimidated by the fit people and not be able to force myself to go when i'm having bad days (i'm quite overweight)

Any other ideas?

I came on the thread to say fancy gym, but try and have a trial day there before you commit.

Lovely candles.

For me, a cineworld membership as going to the cinema is my happy place.

Are there gone renovations/upgrades that would help you?

A good bike. You could exercise without the audience.

Honestly a bike ride can really lift my mood and take my mind off the daily grind.

Good luck.

100% get a cleaner.

Nice, healthy food. And if cooking is a bit much either the occasional deliveroo or one of those ones where they deliver all the ingredients and simple instructions for you to prepare at home.

I like nice tea. I drink cheapish most of the time, but I like some posh tea as a treat a few times a week.

Subscription to something you like, could be a magazine or Netflix or something.

A treat to look forward to once a month or so. For me it's theatre tickets, but could be whatever you like.

Robo vacuum

Exercise bike

Nice sheets

Pre chopped food can be great time and energy saver. I can’t chop say a butternut squash without using a weeks worth of energy, I hurting myself and ending up with half of it as peel and core going in the bin. Buying a bag of it already pre chopped makes huge difference !

One those wet mops with a throw away wipe are not the most green things ever. But if you think I’ve got fill and empty a bucket, wring it out 20 times and drag it around. You cant compare the body expense.

Buying milk in 2 litre not 4. Practically same
Price but less toll on the body and spilling.
Same with buying cheaper larger items like butter/spread.

Replacing pans for new non stick which are easier clean and wipe then old ones which you have to scrub.

For me it’s only doing half loads of washing so arms don’t get as sore emoting and hanging stuff out to dry and feels more manageable. Rather than being re washed over and over because can’t face the wrestle getting stuff out.

Season ticket for a favourite place. We live really close to the zoo and I sometimes go without the children, as well as 2-3times a month with them.

Definitely get a cleaner in, even if it's only once every few weeks. It's so nice having someone else make your home sparkle.

I echo what's mentioned above about good food. I'm a huge fan of Cook frozen ready meals for when I have no energy to cook.

Sorry you're struggling OP. I wonder if there are any heat devices that you can buy that might help with your pain?

Nice Epsom salts if you have a bath, and yes gym and cleaner sound excellent choices. Don't feel bad about spending on you to improve your quality of life.

Also, not sure whether it's relevant/appeals to you, but therapy? Having a chronic illness must be very tough, it might help to talk to someone about it? Just a thought

I go to Zumba at least twice a week and it is really good fun! No one is a gym bunny and there are different ages. I lost so much weight doing it years ago and I felt so much better.

Sometimes you have to feel your money if you know what I mean? Buy the nice food, candles. Anything that makes your life easier is worth it.

Its sounds like investing in your health by using a nice gym is a great way to help you mentally and physically. Exercise gets you out of the house, lifts your mood and makes you stronger. Good luck!

I am in constant pain from fybromyalgia etc but still need to work so I try to get things that make it easier for me. These include pre prepared vegetables, a god send when the pain is intense and the tiredness takes over, a plug in heated throw and plug in heated collar, extremely soft pyjamas to relax in and a PT session a week at a studio rather than a gym. The PT session costs what I could get a monthly gym membership for but it is so much more relaxed and I really feel great afterwards.

I have chronic pain so have good ans bad days What helps my bad days are white/cream Egyptian cotton quilt cover and sheets and a clutter free bedroom. I also like expensive, luxury shower gel and body cream, ( I use Ren, Atlantic Kelp) which makes my ensuite and bedroom smell like a spa. These things help me relax when I'm having a difficult day. Also , definitely get a cleaner, as having a clean, fresh home definitely helps you to relax, and also saves vital energy for nicer things.

Instead of the gym why not look at a personal trainer. Exercise will be tailored to you.

Cleaner is great!

When my depression was bad and I was struggling with self care and energy levels, I used to take long baths watching tv and slowly do other stuff to look after myself- like brushing my teeth and my hair- while I was sat down and in the bath. So a little table to put your laptop on next to the bath or some nice bath bubbles might be an idea

Nice pjs/loungewear as well

Gorgeous smelling body lotion. I buy a coconut one, just because it reminds me of suntan lotion. Got me through the weeks of lockdown.

Milk man.
Personal trainer.
Food deliveries.
Gousto boxes really cheered me up over lockdown!
Cleaner.
Massages/haircuts/beauty treatments at home.
Massive massive massive TV and sound bar, and every Netflix, Disney+, NowTV, etc subscription.
TV in bedroom.
Nintendo Switch with Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
Echo Show.
The best possible phone and tablet.
Spray tans at home.
Huge bath with jets/jacuzzi.

Just give me £10k and I’ll sort you out. 👍🏻 😆

Hayu subscription, so I can watch the real housewives of Beverly Hills.. My ultimate cheer up program love the houses, clothes, parties...

Goose feather duvet for winter and one for summer, light as a cloud, beautiful, good sheets and some lavender on my pillow.

I also add some lavender to bedding as I iron, the smell as I make the beds gives me a lift.

Some lovely candles, bath stuff and nail polishes. You can laze in the bath or have foot baths and paint your nails. A little self care goes a long way.
Also agree with nice bedsheets and pjs!

Nice towels too.

Sorry to read you are going through a tough time op 💐

Cleaner
Robot hoover
Dishwasher
Slow cooker
Supermarket delivery
Fancy spa gym
Foot spa
Home pamper days/nights
Magazine subscription
Pamper days at a salon
Hairdressers
Luxury super king bed
Lovely bed sheets
Lovely bath towels

Take it one day at a time and indulge yourself 💐

Definitely get the cleaner and the gym subscription. Also Gousto - they do a pre-chopped range too.

I also have chronic pain & illness. I’ve had a miniature Yorkie to help me get through the day - she makes my life so much better in every way. I’m getting outside more to walk her & meeting people at the same time. She doesn’t walk very far so it’s manageable. She is the best thing I’ve ever done.

Cleaner and gym are both brilliant ideas.

Good mattress if you haven’t already got one or if yours is over 10 years old. Lovely bedding and beautiful comfy pyjamas. Your bed should be a sanctuary of self care.

Bath products and a beautiful candle, if you enjoy a bath.

Books.

Notebooks and stationary if you like to write or want to keep a journal/gratitude journal.

Tumble drier - being able to wash, dry and fold/put away clothes within an evening is so great, and there’s never a backlog of stuff. Also, fluffy towels!

Gardener

Otherwise cleaner and gym membership