What is a cheap/ simple/ uncomplicated habit (or thing) that you started following (or bought) that dramatically changed your life for the better...

[Bookbooks]

That's it really.
Same if you had the same effect with abandoning a habit or a thing.
Looking for inspiration.

I drink 500ml water every morning before eating.

Also only eat within 8 hrs window and fast 16 hrs, although sometimes not srictly followed

I bought a small machine a few years ago, was the best purchase ever, I make coffee with single cream and a bit caramel syrup every afternoon its better than coffee from cafes

@IBelieveInAThingCalledScience I have a question if you don't mind. In your experience, is agave nectar healthier than normal sugar and other sweeteners? Is it true that it doesn't make blood sugar spike? I have been sweetening my morning coffee with agave for a long time now thinking it's healthier but have since read mixed opinions about it.

Sound advice 👏

@IBelieveInAThingCalledScience that sounds really interesting. Can you tell me more about what monitoring your macros means and how you do it?

@Changedmynameforthis55 I love this!

a sub-19 5k is amazing! I’ve been running regularly for six years and I think I’ve cracked a sub-25 5k once or twice 😂

Running outdoors most days which I never thought I'd say. I feel so weird on the days I don't go (aside from my designated rest day on a Saturday or Sunday).

Getting up earlier a lot earlier than I need to before work (WFH days). Lets me wake up with a coffee, the news, wordle. Take the dog out and do a few chores or life admin and then start work feeling productive.

Not drinking alcohol on a work night and having a herbal tea before bed time. I sleep better and stops me craving snacks. Other obvious benefits of reducing alcohol too.

I saw this today.

Getting up at 6 to do a 5 k run 4 times a week. I don't love it - but as PP said, feel better for doing it.
Rarely drinking. The odd cocktail on the odd afternoon in London, but otherwise was making me grumpy, anxious and suffer night sweats.
Doing a proper budget and using Monzo pots to contain spending. Knowing what we are spending money on really focuses the mind and helped prevent some (not all) frivolous purchases

Discovering guided relaxation videos on YouTube - I first found them when my kids were babies and wouldn't reliably nap for long periods, and I basically need 1-2 undisturbed hours to relax enough for a nap. I found that a good 10-15 min guided relaxation could be as refreshing as a long nap. Ten years later, I find them a real help for getting off to sleep, or back to sleep if I've been woken and can't drop off again. This is one of the most reliable ones:

On a separate but related note, if I have a headache that originates with my neck or shoulders, I swear to god 80-90% of the time this quick set of yoga moves gets rid of it without painkillers, even if it's really bad:

Got a small blender so make houmous (mainly). Healthier can control salt and no additives intake.

Wash-up as I cook.

Listen to radio 4 news whilst cooking in the week, saves much time doom-scrolling.

Latest is trying not to buy new books (so hard) until I have read what's already there. I pass books on (most of them) as there is always something else to read. This is a work in progress but I am reading more and buying fewer. Slow and steady. Ibput what I want to buy in a wish list on Amazon so it's on my phone at library, in a bookshop (yeah needed to stop going in them).

Realising that most things aren’t that important.

I just don’t sweat the small stuff or big stuff that much anymore. I am a single parent of a child with significant needs, loads of money worries, elderly parents who need a lot, and broken career to care for my child.

Just giving my child a hug some days, or just eating ice cream, or planting a new flower in the garden. It’s enough.

I wish I was more disciplined and wish I took care of myself more, but life is not passing me by and I know what’s important.

Inspirational.

Ah none of these answers are what I came here for! I want zero effort improvement please, not exercise or getting up early.

Limiting phone use/screen time to when in the living room only. I leave devices there to charge etc. Have a smart watch so will still know when I’m getting a call or important message but has helped me to limit the mindless scrolling and be more present.

Practically giving up drinking (only drunk 8 days this year, previously would have drunk almost every day) I really enjoy the occasional treat of going to the pub but resent the grotty feeling the following day. I seem to be naturally craving it less and drinking much less when I actually do drink.

On a more trivial note, I bought 3 silicone spatulas from IKEA for 50p each. There's rarely a day goes by when I don't use them all and praise the lord that I don't have to fish the solitary one I used to own out of the dishwasher.

day hours

Need to do this so bad 😢 I’ve got so phone obsessed since lockdowns. My older 2 kids are 5&7 and I feel like I was way more present with them. The baby has just turned 1 and I see her watching me on my phone which is sad. But I have so much on my to do list and my life is in my phone!! School apps, dr, dentist, lists, shopping etc. If I don’t do something when I think of it, I won’t!! But I MUST do less phone.

I have currently take on lots of big new habits - gluten free, dairy free, 5:30am walk (exhausting not invigorating at the mo but the birdsong is insane and morning sunlight meant to be amazing for you), LED mask, skincare etc. But all involve effort.

I suppose a low effort one for me which I’ll add to the thread is using (dupe) perfumes every day, and wearing my jewellery more :) feels nice.

Jigsaws. I started doing them in lockdown and I absolutely love it. I usually spend winter Sunday afternoons doing one, log burner on and listen to podcasts. They really relax me. I always buy them from charity shops, or borrow them, and ok pass them on.

Oh! Crochet. I guess there is an outlay but it’s a really calming habit once you’ve got over the initial fingers and thumbs hurdles. I’ve made about 40 hats for the local maternity unit and made a blanket, couple cardigans etc. I only started learning in sept, it’s v addictive and makes me 1) sit down for once and 2) get into flow state, which is really good for your mind.

I do this, but I get up at 5am. I have done this my whole life. I've tried sleeping in but it makes me feel hungover and unproductive. I love having that time for the first hour of the day. No demands on me, just me doing what I want, how I want, and setting myself up for the day. Love it!

The biggie was taking up running - it really changed my life (I'd always believed I'd be crap at it - wrong shape, unsporty etc - and I did it as a kind of chore for months, but found the enjoyment snuck up on me)

The other - following the "gratitudes" practice (mindfulness) - was to write down 10 things every day that I was glad had happened. Spending a few minutes at the end of the day thinking about what went right has really helped my mood. Even if it's really scraping the barrel to find something, it can help you re-frame your world. And gives you a kind of diary to look back on that is only the good stuff.

Walking everywhere when I used to drive.

I throw a handful of spinach into my scrambled egg each morning.

A Neom diffuser pod - the little cheap one. Absolutely lovely

Extract of cranberry tablet every morning. I’d had several bad UTIs within a few months which needed antibiotics. I’ve not had one since I started taking them. Coincidence? I don’t think so.