Wellness journey... anyone want to join me?

[AlexaShutUp]

I need to take better care of myself. I was doing well until recently - had lost a lot of weight, started exercising regularly etc, but then I got really stressed at work and everything went awry. I've had a few health problems recently and I know that some of them are stress related, so I need to look after myself properly.

I'm planning to:

• try and get at least 7 hours sleep every night (actual sleep, not just time in bed)
• exercise regularly (5 × week at gym)
• eat well (more fruit & veg, more protein, less sugar and refined carbs)
• drink more water (at least 6 glasses a day)
• meditate daily for 15-20 mins

Does anyone want to join me? And is there anything else that I should be doing that I could add in without too much extra effort?

@TheQueenOfDreams can't win them all, well done for planning exercise

Good day here. Fast day complete. Drank lots of water. Not done any skincare nor did I take my supplements so will focus on that tomorrow

Just about to read bedtime book after calling my friend and I am starting at the gym on Thursday

@TheQueenOfDreams - sticking to 16/8 is a good start.

Good workout.
Remembered supplements.
Steamed fish with loads of steamed veg for dinner.
Bath with lavender and geranium.
Feeling relaxed for the first time in ages!

It’s been a good day here. I managed some exercise, to eat well (leftovers but great ones) and the weather was glorious for this afternoon’s walk. I haven’t done any specific skin care but a properly sweaty workout feels like a having a sauna!

Not a great day really, suffering post flu jab I think! But I did book my smear test 😩 and will hopefully get a call back tomorrow about blood tests. Took my vitamins along with my usual meds and I did drink more water in the morning.

Not doing so well at the going to bed thing but 11.15 is still earlier than usual for me so I should take it as a win!

A decent start for me

• drink more water. Hopeless at this so will start with 4 glasses a day. Managed 2 glasses. Don't understand why I make drinking water such an effort.
• start walking again. Will aim for one 20 minute walk per week.
• go to bed later and read rather than lying in bed for hours looking at screens yet only sleeping for three or four hours. Listened to a freebie sleep app which bored me to sleep and managed nearly 8 hours!
• will select some potions to use from the many languishing in my bathroom cupboard.
• will tackle a couple of minor financial issues that cause me stress by phoning mortgage company and finding a cheaper energy supplier.

How is everyone else getting on?

I had one of the best nights' sleep I've had in weeks. Think it was a combination of a good workout and very healthy, light dinner.

Today - yoga, lots of water, maybe a quick walk at lunch time.

@leavesthataregreen

I had one of the best nights' sleep I've had in weeks. Think it was a combination of a good workout and very healthy, light dinner.

Today - yoga, lots of water, maybe a quick walk at lunch time.

Sounds amazing!

• drink more water. Hopeless at this so will start with 4 glasses a day. Managed 4 glasses - something of an effort but I did it
• start walking again. Will aim for one 20 minute walk per week.
• go to bed later and read rather than lying in bed for hours looking at screens yet only sleeping for three or four hours. Used boring sleep app again and managed 6.5 hours though interupted
• will select some potions to use from the many languishing in my bathroom cupboard.
• will tackle a couple of minor financial issues that cause me stress by phoning mortgage company and finding a cheaper energy supplier. Phoned mortgage company after putting it off for months with no good reason

AlexaShutUp how are you doing?

Didn’t do too well yesterday really other than getting lots of rest! Which is definitely needed as still feeling rough. I did have lots more screen free time in the evening though, so even though I went to sleep late it is an improvement as I wasn’t just scrolling my phone for hours.

Must try and do better with drinking water today.

@FrshStrt flip that list upside down! Speak to your GP about depression first and the rest will become so much easier!

I’m 2 1/2 weeks in to my “wellness journey”.

Started taking 50mg Sertraline 2 1/2 weeks ago having had a phone call appointment with my GP. Making the call was the hardest part but I actually felt a bit better having just spoken about how I’m feeling.

Stopped making excuses for not running and started to do 5 days a week again. Today I ran 10km!! Now I feel both full of hormones and proud of myself!

Started taking my vitamins again, at my lowest I couldn’t even be arsed to put the effervescent vitamin into a glass of water and drink it! I’m taking an effervescent multi vitamin, 4000iu vitamin D, iron and cod liver oil.

I already drink lots and lots of water.

I’ve started to eat normally instead of doing 16:8 as I’ve had disordered eating all my life. I’m eating proper healthy meals and more fruit and veg but probably actually less calories as I’m not giving in and eating tonnes of chocolate because I’m starving!

Working from home is ending soon!!

Things I still need to do:

I’ve bought a good night face cream but keep forgetting to use it.

I need to get to grips with something like TOMM for cleaning my house so I keep on top of it instead of getting stressed and blitzing it.

Oh and I need less screen time (obviously failing at that).

Agree with @LadyCatStark re @FrshStrt - defo speak to GP first!

Well done @LadyCatStark

Supplements ✔️
5:2 / more mindful eating ✔️

Not been good on night skin routine but I did read before bed last night and am going to again tonight

I had a terrible nights sleep and woke up after someone in my dream yelled “they’re both dead!” I have no idea what was going on and, quite frankly, don’t want to.

Anyhoo, I went to my class today so that’s exercise ticked off.
Did 16.8
Still didn’t drink enough water.
I’ll read before bed so I’m calling it a good day

I have been struggling with a lot of stress over the last couple of days, so I haven't done brilliantly but I have been trying. I'm eating better - less sugar and healthier choices, especially at lunchtime - and I'm trying my best to be mindful. Skipped my plan to exercise today but that's because I got stuck in work until late. Still need to drink more water, meditate daily and get to bed earlier. It's a work in progress!

Well done everyone else for the progress that you've made. We mustn't beat ourselves up and the things that we haven't done...it's a journey not a destination!

• drink more water. Hopeless at this so will start with 4 glasses a day. Managed 4 glasses again. Still doesn’t come naturally but doing it.
• start walking again. Will aim for one 20 minute walk per week.
• go to bed later and read rather than lying in bed for hours looking at screens yet only sleeping for three or four hours. Boring sleep app again and managed 6.5 hours once more. The extra sleep is meaning I don't flop in the afternoon. I can actually function all day - quite amazing
• will select some potions to use from the many languishing in my bathroom cupboard.
• will tackle a couple of minor financial issues that cause me stress by phoning mortgage company and finding a cheaper energy supplier. Well I've left the change of energy supplier a bit late. My current supplier went out of business yesterday. Will watch Martin Lewis on ITV tonight for his words of wisdom

AlexaShutUp Thanks for starting this thread, it's really helped me focus and make some changes. To drink more water I just kept putting a glass in front of me and sipping it and it gradually goes down.

Your intention to go to the gym 5 times a week seemed rather ambitious if you've got lots of other things going on. How about just trying to move more? Stairs instead of lift, that sort of thing. Every little helps. Sounds as though you're doing well at lunchtimes.

I need to do this but not sure I can right now. I'm very similar to you OP with my response to stress.

Just wanted to say for those that struggle with meditation I use Joseph Clough self hypnosis tracks. I find them excellent and his voice is soothing. They are all on Spotify

Just jumping on to say to those who are just starting out, it’s so worth the effort of making changes! Last night I felt the most calm and chilled and happy I’ve ever felt in my life. I’m also falling asleep as soon as I turn the lights instead of sometimes 3am. A few days ago I was driving along and I realised I didn’t feel tired. I can’t remember the last time I didn’t feel tired!

PS @Stressed21 thanks those tracks look good, I’m going to try them 😊.

• drink more water. Hopeless at this so will start with 4 glasses a day. Managed only 2 glasses today due to having a stressy day.
• start walking again. Will aim for one 20 minute walk per week.
• go to bed later and read rather than lying in bed for hours looking at screens yet only sleeping for three or four hours. Used boring sleep app again but woke after a 3 hours and started googling a health worry for 2 hours which didn't help at all, so about 6 hours last night which is still better than when I started this process
• will select some potions to use from the many languishing in my bathroom cupboard.
• have changed 'finding a cheaper energy supplier' for 'reclaim my environment' which is about cleaning and tidying areas in my house that cause me stress due to them needing a clean/declutter.

Thanks for your encouraging post LadyCatStark