Ideas for improving well- being

[JenTree3000]

I want to eat/ drink healthier next year. I have signed up for Dry January but after years of looking after the children ( last one has gone to University) I find that I struggle with ideas for things to treat myself/ improve wellbeing that don’t involve food/ drink.
I work long hours away from home but can definitely find time to try new things but find I end up slumped in front of tv shows I am not really interested in ( although would also like recommendations for Netflix shows!)
For the first time in probably 35 years I have the opportunity to put myself first and it’s such a novelty, I am struggling to think of ideas.
What kind of things do you enjoy/ have been surprised by / wish you had time for
Thanks

Attending yoga classes regularly has improved my well-being massively.
Walking
Traveling
Looking after my wardrobe, skin, and hair
Drinking plenty of water and cutting out any junk
Time alone
I look and feel great in mid-40s.

I was thinking of taking up walking again, I always feel better after a good walk, I just need to prioritise it and not get distracted by chores.
Definitely need to prioritise cooking from scratch too.
I’ll look into yoga
Some good ideas thanks

Monthly pedicure
New book often, nice bath stuff to go with new book
Generally just time to chill out and pamper myself a little

Pilates or yoga - a short online video if you can’t make a class.
Walking lots
Gardening, growing herbs, veg, my favourite flowers. I find watering/dead heading etc very relaxing.
Choosing and reading a nice book
Having a (quick) daily pampering ritual before bed: cleanse/moisturise etc, facial massage, hand cream.
Keeping a list of tv/films/books that I’m interested in or are recommended to me, then I consult this rather than watching crap.

Read more and use your library if possible

This is what made a huge difference for me...
Set a challenge to walk at least 20 minutes every single day regardless of weather.
Use a free app like strava to privately record you walks and hold yourself accountable.

Thanks all , some good ideas there
I like that idea about the app Shiny- accountable is good
I often start things then miss a day, then another then slump back to old habits.
I am often bored which seems ridiculous when for decades I have longed for some free time- but now I’ve forgotten what I was going to do with it
I read lots- have a tbr pile of a couple of hundred books as I buy/ borrow loads from the library and I listen to podcasts about books then request those but like a lot of people I have found my concentration span has diminished over the last couple of years

I mostly listen to audiobooks downloaded free from the library while walking.
I'm too distractible to read while sitting at home but get through about 2 books a month while out walking

@JenTree3000
I get where you're coming from!
Even though it's really tempting- when you eat - don't eat and watch something or look at your phone. Try to consciously feel the texture of the food etc. Smell it, Savoie it, and the Same with walking - really look around you - listen to how your feet kick stones, walk on gravel, it's all little things but it's a way of life and you will really notice a difference. Xxx

“Keeping a list of tv/films/books that I’m interested in or are recommended to me, then I consult this rather than watching crap.“

This for me too! I don’t have much free time and this means that I use downtime consciously. Watch something I really enjoy not crap.

@ShinyHatStand

I mostly listen to audiobooks downloaded free from the library while walking. I'm too distractible to read while sitting at home but get through about 2 books a month while out walking

Ooo how do you do that?

I've downloaded the GoodReads app and you can set yourself a challenge, mine is to "read 30 books in 2022", you can log books you've read, you're reading or want to read, you can leave reviews etc.

You can also set yourself challenges on MyFitnessPal.

Maybe as a first step you could read / listen to some books about habit formation or making these kinds of changes. There are solid, demonstrable, psychological reasons why some approaches work for some people, and why many attempts to form new habits fail. I’d recommend Atomic Habits by James Clear and Better Than Before by Gretchen Rubin.

I started drinking a large glass of water first thing every morning, about 2 years ago, and it has become a habit now. I actually feel thirsty if I don’t do it straight away.
The one thing I’ve done that I really enjoy, and is good for me, is I now have an Epsom salt bath twice a week for 20 minutes . It gives you a dose of magnesium, so saves taking a tablet for it. I put some bubbles in as well, flick through social media, and just relax. I’ve noticed that my skin is softer too.

I do dry January too and my other tradition in the last few years has been 30 days of yoga with Adrienne.

She is on you tube and releases a new video every day in January. The first one is really short and just an intro and after that they vary in length. There will probably be a thread on here about it soon.
I don't manage to do it every day so it's February by the time I finish but even doing 5 days out of 7 is great.

I also aim to get out of the house every day for a walk and average 10,000 steps over every month. Last year I really struggled in the first 6 months but managed it in July due to a holiday and then decided I would make it happen for the rest of the year. There's definitely a direct link between my mental health and the amount of fresh air and exercise I get. If I'm working from home, I go for a walk before I start work as it's too easy to get distracted later. I only track steps on my phone (no fitbit or similar).

Thank you
Both ordered from the library!
I am also wondering about keeping an informal journal with a space to write something I enjoyed every day and something that wasted my time/ do out of habit but don’t benefit from ( probably scrolling through the news 500 times a day)
I like the idea of being more “present” thanks Maximum- I think I flit about and rarely achieve what I set out to do , but that’s a whole new thread really.

Sleep, lots of lovely sleep. Reducing contact with people who don't matter and spend more quality time with those who do matter to me.

Tidying

Cuddling my dog.

Eating veg and protein.

Writing down and sharing 3 things I'm grateful for.

I admit, embarrassingly, that I find shopping by myself very relaxing and satisfying .

Reading interesting fact books and biographies.

Coming back to this thread. My sister gave me a journal yesterday to write three things daily that I appreciated/made me happy. She said she benefited from it last year. I will be doing this from tomorrow!
Yes to drinking plenty of water. I drink at least 2l a day (I keep 1.5l bottle by my desk as I work). It makes a massive difference to my skin.
The other thing I started doing was attending stand up comedy clubs. It hit home how little I have truly laughed. I felt great afterwards and met some really cool people (I’m a single mum).
Music - it’s a companion to me. I drive just to be alone with music.
I read a lovely article in the Guardian about a silent pilgrimage walk in Sussex. It’s an organised group walk (non-religious) where you walk in silence. You set your intention at the start of the walk and reflect. I’m looking forward to doing that in Jan.
Keep us posted!