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Original poster

Habits that make you healthier, more organised or just somehow improve your life

192 replies

mynameisnotkate · 08/08/2021 14:52

There was a great thread on MN about a year ago where people were sharing their useful habits. I picked up a good few, but have kind of lost my mojo and am looking for inspiration. Any ideas?

Things I've tried:

  • getting up earlier - really like this, am going back to this soon
  • Wim Hof - planning to go back to cold showers, but didn't get much out of the breathing
  • drink four pints of water a day - have really given up on this but want to restart, it definitely makes me feel better
  • 16:8 fast - again, I want to get back into this, it helps with weight, though on its own it's not enough
  • ways to make me more efficient at work - have tried lots but find it really hard to make things stick. A task diary is quite useful.

What have you tried that worked / didn't work?

OP posts:
Pastrydame · 09/08/2021 11:06

Have been looking at the Sweepy app, and it seems you can get it on android too (don't want one I can use and dh can't! Grin )
I need one that shouts at him if he doesn't do it. Actually I need that one myself, reading these tips when I have a big work task I'm avoiding doing.

ZingDramaQueenOfSheeba · 09/08/2021 11:20

@lborgia

I know, mine's an old copy too.
those things made me laugh too, but really not the point of the book.

I had been organising stuff in a certain way that used to get comments and I was happy to read a book that back me up!
her philosophy matches mine so I can implement her advice very easily, stuff like "instead of fighting your natural habits adjust your environment to work for you" are music to my ears!
(not a direct quote).

lborgia · 09/08/2021 11:33

Yes, she's brilliant, and was an organiser before there was such a thing. I might get it out again, I still have it!

Potpourri23 · 09/08/2021 11:38

I love this thread!

UserStillatLarge · 09/08/2021 11:47

I schedule in a walk at lunch time into my work day (I'll move it but not cancel it unless there's really a major issue to sort out).
Also schedule exercise sessions, and treat them in the same way as I would meeting friends - not something I can cancel at the last minute because I don't feel like it.

I make sure the lounge and kitchen are left clean/tidy after dinner. Everyone helps with this.

We have a weekly family clean and everyone pitches in. Makes sure that both the cleaning is done and that it's understood this is a family responsibility. Even little ones can do something.

LegoCardSwapper · 09/08/2021 12:06

[quote Sorebum]@LegoCardSwapper

Hi I've found the apple equivalent to that app @WindFlower92 has been using

It's called Sweepy and it's excellent [/quote]
Thanks so much, I'll take a look.

Serenissima21 · 09/08/2021 12:10

The thing is for some people that's not enough of an impetus. They know they'll feel good after. But it doesn't help. So they need a habit / plan that makes them.
I found this with swimming. I liked it afterwards but never fancied actually going. I made a pact with myself: I would pack my bag, walk to the pool and then decide whether to get in or not. Weirdly my brain accepted this!

Serenissima21 · 09/08/2021 12:12

For anyone struggling with yoga, start small. I tried half an hour a day and never stuck with it. I now do a sun salutation (3 minutes) every day. Sometimes that leads to doing a longer session but mostly it doesn't. I can still feel some benefit.

coodawoodashooda · 09/08/2021 12:28

@Serenissima21

For anyone struggling with yoga, start small. I tried half an hour a day and never stuck with it. I now do a sun salutation (3 minutes) every day. Sometimes that leads to doing a longer session but mostly it doesn't. I can still feel some benefit.
You have described me. I used to be quite good but hate it now because im so stiff. Can you please tell me about the sun salutation?
Hopeisallineed · 09/08/2021 12:45

I follow Adrienne on YouTube for yoga, she does bite size videos and lots for the beginner. She will have a sun salutation one I’m sure. I do 20 minutes every morning but I know there are quick 10 minute ones…

Cosybelles · 09/08/2021 12:51

Ensure that responsibility for tasks that could be classed as 'wifework' is spread evenly between all adults in the house.

Plus, the mantra: don't put it down, put it away.

LouLou198 · 09/08/2021 12:59

Have a "live" list of what is in your freezer, and cross off when eaten. Saves rummaging thorough every week before going shopping.

Dauphinois · 09/08/2021 13:06

My sports watch has a really good alarm function that lets me set alarms for certain days of the week. I'm now never late for family zoom at 6pm on Sundays!

I book supermarket delivery slots as far ahead as they'll let me do I always have 3 or 4 booked ahead.

Input all birthdays into the calendar on my phone and set a reminder for a week beforehand as well as on the day.

Get up early and exercise for half an hour first thing. It sets you up for the day and won't get forgotten or pushed to one side.

Book your next hair appt at the time so you've always got the next one booked in.

50ShadesOfCatholic · 09/08/2021 13:32

In terms of being healthier, I have made some changes this year that have helped a lot. Probably more relevant for 40yo+ than 20-somethings who still have high energy levels and lithe bodies :)

I wrote down a list of all the little health niggles - often feeling tired and/or lethargic, permanently sore heel, some weight to lose etc and began to work through them. It had finally dawned on me that these things were not going to fix themselves, and that if it was the kids who had these complaints I would have prioritised them.

Five months on I have quite a different life. I have weaned myself off sleeping pills (after TEN years!), go to the gym, yoga and the pool, have quit alcohol, and just dropped meat from my diet. My heel is completely better, I'm sleeping better than I have in years, my mood is better, oh and my weight is down without any effort.

It seems to me that all the advice is the same but somehow you have to get to the point of valuing yourself enough to follow it, to invest in your own wellbeing. And once that's in place, everything else follows.

Clem4579 · 09/08/2021 13:36

Amazon wish lists, if I see something recommended on MN that I like the look of I add it to my wish list. When it comes to Christmas or birthdays and DH is asking what I'd like I just email him the list.
I've asked nephews and nieces to set them up too, I can never keep up with likes and dislikes for different ages, this makes it so much easier. If someone buys something using the list facility then it's automatically removed so no duplicates.

If moving to a new house or planning to redecorate keep a dedicated notebook. List things like room sizes, window sizes, how many rolls of wallpaper or tins of paint you've used for each room, which colours etc.

Diet related, if I'm tempted to snack on something I ask myself will it fill me up? Will I be getting any vitamins or nutrients from it or is it just empty calories? Will I feel better after eating it or will I feel guilty?
It doesn't always work but it has stopped my chocolate habit.

Bloodypunkrockers · 09/08/2021 14:13

Loads of good tips

We get clothes laid out the night before, bags packed and anything we need to take out is put on the table at the front door

Never go up or down stairs empty handed

FeelinSpendy · 09/08/2021 14:23

I've tried loads of things but lots of them don't stick.

One that has is that, when you go to put something away, don't just put that thing away - do a visual sweep of the area and put away 5 things that need tidying. It seems a little strange but it's become a habit now and 5 items isn't too overwhelming to do at once but often makes quite an impact on the overall tidiness.

The other thing, which is particularly useful for work, is David Allen's book 'Getting Things Done'. I have a tendancy to not do anything when I feel overhwhelmed and there are a lot of habits that I picked up from there which have made me more organised and also have helped me when jobs/projects seem too big to start.

FullMoonInsomnia · 09/08/2021 14:55

@Serenissima21

The thing is for some people that's not enough of an impetus. They know they'll feel good after. But it doesn't help. So they need a habit / plan that makes them. I found this with swimming. I liked it afterwards but never fancied actually going. I made a pact with myself: I would pack my bag, walk to the pool and then decide whether to get in or not. Weirdly my brain accepted this!
This made me laugh! You have a brain like me!
Rummikub · 09/08/2021 15:45

Are we all resistors then?

Rummikub · 09/08/2021 15:54

@SkiingIsHeaven

Sounds silly but do things in the advert breaks.

First break water plants, then sit and enjoy next bit of your show.

Next break take the bin out, then sit and enjoy the next bit.

Next break clean the mirror etc etc.

Get lots done while still relaxing and watching what you want.

I do this too. Sometimes I’ll carry on with the task but it’s good to tell myself it’s just for the ad break.
FullMoonInsomnia · 09/08/2021 16:00

[quote Sorebum]@LegoCardSwapper

Hi I've found the apple equivalent to that app @WindFlower92 has been using

It's called Sweepy and it's excellent [/quote]
How does it work exactly?

JustLoveYourselfALittle · 09/08/2021 16:08

Lists! I have a list of the lists I need to write.

SingToTheSky · 09/08/2021 16:13

Love threads like this! Not read back yet so sorry if I’m repeating.

Power of three is my best tip, especially for those who frequently feel like they don’t know where to start (I have ADHD so this is common for me). When I feel overwhelmed, just think of three things to do and forget the rest. On a good day the tasks might look something like this:

  • put laundry away
  • do the next three questions of assignment
  • tidy landing

Whereas on a bad day I choose really small tasks, like this:

  • eat breakfast and take meds
  • shower
  • take laundry out of dryer

This is really important for me as some days I need to break things down into really small steps.

Also sometimes if I’m stressed I put in relaxation as one of the tasks, like watching one episode of a tv show where I’ll actually try not to feel guilty about everything else I need to do.

SingToTheSky · 09/08/2021 16:16

Usually when I’ve finished the three I then feel more able to think of another three, and end up doing about 6/7 power of three lists during the day. Other times I don’t need to keep breaking it down and can just crack on with whatever needs doing. It really does help get me started though.

BlibBlabBlob · 09/08/2021 20:36

Following for tips!