What little things do you do that make a big difference?

[ClandestineAdulation]

I’m no good with new years resolutions, I don’t like them because I think big changes are unachievable for me.

So, can you tell me, what little things do you do that make a big difference, either to your mental health or physical health, or just day to day happiness?

I think one of the things I’d like to do is ensure that I make my bed every day and hit 10,000 steps.

Daily yoga here, too.

I've reduced social media use, came off Facebook and like others stopped all notifications on my phone.
Taking my dogs for extra walks and trying to generally be more active.

I have really nice stuff on my bed - fresh good quality linen, down mattress topper, fresh nice pjs that I like and are all natural fibre. Sleep is everything.

I look after my house plants. They make a difference to the freshness of the room.

I love animals and talk to my dog all the time. DCs think I am crazy but ddog is so happy that it runs off on me.

Open windows as soon as I get up in the bedrooms. Even if blowing a gale. For min 20 min.

Make packed lunches the night before. And put in fridge.

School bags, juice bottles etc all by front door. Sometimes even put in car the night before if I'm really on a roll.

Prep veg for tea during day when ds naps or when he's occupied for 15 min. Because tea time is his mega grumpy time so it's less time nipping to kitchen.

Be minimalistic.

Have 1 chill day a week, except school run. Because youngest struggles doing day to day stuff being dragged about so if we've had a chore day out Ans about. The next day we do soft play or something then a chill day. Refreshes all of us.

Very small one, but it's made a big difference

• put my keys in the same place every time I come home!!

I have a travel kettle in my bedroom which means instead of going downstairs and unloading the dishwasher and putting washing on while the kettle boils I make my bed, sort out my clothes and open the windows. It also means dh has generally done the dishwasher by the time I get downstairs

I bought myself huge fluffy white bath sheets

I have a new Fitbit

I turn down invitations that don’t interest me

If something can be done in less than 5 mins , do it there and then. eg empty dishwasher ?

Drink a large glass of water while making my morning tea/coffee. Hydration is really important and gets me off to a good start.

Great thread. NY Resolutions work for so few, little habits seem much easier. to incorporate into life.

These are great! But why do you open windows each morning for 20min? Doesn’t it let all the heating out?
I’m going to duolingo and learn piano for 10 mins a day to get into the habit of a habit!

Not self-improvement, but a small thing/big change. This year I bought a drip filter coffee machine, I set it up every night with a timer. So much better than an alarm clock, I'm cheerful every morning. I can reach it from bed. I drink about 3 mugs of coffee before I bother with anything else.

I've just started putting caramel syrup in the flask, saves me sweetening each separate cup, stirring.

I have given up forever on resolutions to make me a better person, I just want to have a better life.

@MerryChristmas21

Very small one, but it's made a big difference

• put my keys in the same place every time I come home!!

Yes! I got hooks from Amazon which stick to the side of a unit in the hallway and hold my keys. So simple

@Sherrytriflestrull sorry, Adriene Mischler uploads free yoga videos - Yoga with Adriene on YouTube. I love her (some don't, there are other options). She suggests a monthly calendar of practices and in January uploads a 30-day calendar.

The comments from people following are always lovely too. Just done this practice to heal stress m.youtube.com/watch?v=tD_l3fDTFyg&feature=youtu.be

@Feelingoood

These are great! But why do you open windows each morning for 20min? Doesn’t it let all the heating out? I’m going to duolingo and learn piano for 10 mins a day to get into the habit of a habit!

Its important to air your house out...helps with mould issues and condensation...i cant bear stale air so have my windows open whenever i can.

@MrsSiba

Drink a large glass of water while making my morning tea/coffee. Hydration is really important and gets me off to a good start.

Great thread. NY Resolutions work for so few, little habits seem much easier. to incorporate into life.

Warm water should be the first thing you drink every morning.

Taking time out every day. Even 10 minutes for a cuppa in silence.

@Ohisitreally

Just smile and show an interest in other human beings…do anything that is helpful and thoughtful. Today a lovely phillipino lady was lost in our park…she was so distressed because she was meeting her son for 1st time in 5 years …she was in a park 5 miles from where her son was b😩I got her to follow me …they were reunited and I was happy 😊

What a lovely story. to you @Ohisitreally

Oh, there's a tiny but really effective, nice thing I learned a few years ago which is: to give yourself a mental pat on the back whenever you do something beneficial. As often as you can. 'Emptied the dishwasher when I wanted to slump on the sofa - good job!' - that sort of thing. It is incredible how much this not only lifts your mood but stops mundane jobs or self-care from feeling annoying or sapping. And it motivates you to do them more often. It really helps instil good habits. Very unBritish to think, 'Go me!' all the time, but quite fun.

I never have NY resolutions but do try the 52 small changes and also have a day, week and month ‘challenges’

So, a random act of kindness each week
Something for the community each month
Get in touch with a friend or relative I haven’t seen for ages etc.

They’re not difficult, so not a challenge really, more of a target, but it inspires me to actually do it!

@TwittleBee

No looking at my phone for first hour of the day, really has helped get my day going in the right direction. (Now to cut it out before bed )

I need this! I have developed a habit that goes completely the other way. Getting a cup of tea and taking it back to bed with my phone!

RedHot that sounds like that would work for me.

I cut my own hair regularly. It's a simple style which is quick to do but it looks and feels much better.

Making the bed everyday.

5 minute tidies.

Having a kind of capsule wardrobe or 'uniform' and keeping on top of the washing.

Sleeping in stud earrings so I look a bit more polished without effort.

@OldaRailer

RedHot that sounds like that would work for me.

It really does work for me

I also find it inspires other family members.
Even if doing something for the community is just picking up some litter along a stretch of path. If I say that’s what I’m doing, DH or one of the DCs will also come. It’s good for our DCs to see us doing things like this

I stand on one leg whilst brushing my teeth
When waiting for the kettle to boil I do an exercise on the bottom step of the stairs.
Walk outside twice a day every day, no matter the weather. I have to do this as I have an active dog, but every day I tell myself how lucky I am to be able to do this and never to take it for granted.

Great ideas here. I need to drink more water regularly so thinking about where to fit that into a routine. Also making sure I have ice cubes ready as there's nothing so nice as a tall glass of ice cold water.

@AmorFati may I ask which coffee machine you have? Interested in one that I can set to produce coffee at a certain time...