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Original poster

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

389 replies

Bookbooks · 14/04/2023 18:04

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

OP posts:
Thread gallery
5
iloveeverykindofcat · 15/04/2023 06:34

15 mins of strength work on my core every day. Its just part of my morning routine now. Improved my back pain better than any painkiller.

Celticdawn5 · 15/04/2023 06:37

Sofa with a higher and firmer seat….no longer struggling to get up. (My first ever new sofa)

InspiredToBoot · 15/04/2023 06:41

This is a stunning thread. Thank you @Bookbooks for starting it. I haven't read the whole thread yet but I will because there's some gems in it.

In relation to what @IBelieveInAThingCalledScience said about sugar and carbs, omg, this is literally me this Easter, where I decided to up my protein and lower carbs and sugar. As a menopausal woman I have always felt a slave to the carbs, and I used to describe my hunger as an impatient monster that needed immediate satiation. I now start the day with a protein shake, and I just can't believe the difference it has made in how differently I feel during the whole entire day.

Due to time constraints, I am using whey isolate powder, but as I get used to this new routine, I hope to start learning to make my shakes a bit more natural.

merrymelodies · 15/04/2023 06:52

Going back to art school, this time to paint. Absolutely changed my life.

Buttalapasta · 15/04/2023 07:05

Houseplantmad · 14/04/2023 23:49

Have a look at Annie Deadman fitness. She’s on YouTube, Instagram and also writes a column for Woman and Home. She runs a programme called Blast that is great for all abilities and I think there is one starting soon.
I did Blast and now do 4-5 strength/HIT workouts a week. I’m so much stronger and don’t have the aching bits I used to have!

Show quote history

That looks interesting. I'd love to know what equipment you need to do Blast and also whether it's compatible with cooking for the family.

MyFaceIsAnAONB · 15/04/2023 07:10

merrymelodies · 15/04/2023 06:52

Going back to art school, this time to paint. Absolutely changed my life.

That doesn’t sound cheap! ? I’d love to I that.

theheights · 15/04/2023 07:14

Started listening to podcasts while going for a walk. I get engrossed in what I'm listening to and end up walking further. I've also learned a lot by listening to interesting things.

ferntwist · 15/04/2023 07:14

Keeping my flat from overflowing by following the William Morris rule: have nothing in your home that you do not believe to be beautiful or know to be useful. If any item in my house doesn’t spark joy, it goes!

Buttalapasta · 15/04/2023 07:15

HelloDaisy · 14/04/2023 23:04

I started walking every day with a friend during covid, when we were allowed to meet up, and we’ve kept it up. We walk about 5k most days at a fast pace and it’s so good for my mental health as well as physical. I am much fitter than when we started although no thinner…

We talk and rant and sort out life during our walks and I definitely feel it if I miss going.

We’ve walked in all weathers and it really frees my soul to go tramping through the woods in the rain!

I agree. Another change I have made is I now always walk to work with my colleague. It takes 45 minutes instead of 30 on the bus but it's such a nice way to start the day.

bigdecisionstomake · 15/04/2023 07:23

LyndaSnellsSniff · 14/04/2023 19:46

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.

This is me too - I use them as a de-stressor so if I'm feeling really stressed I go do a few pieces and it helps clear my head really quickly. I think my life right now is a little chaotic in terms of too much work, keeping on top of my home etc.... that the very act of putting things in their right place and bringing order out of chaos - which is essentially what happens when you do a jigsaw - is really calming for me.

ChrisPPancake · 15/04/2023 07:24

Don't sweat the petty stuff and don't pet the sweaty stuff!

georgarina · 15/04/2023 07:28

Magic Sponges. Make cleaning up sooo much easier - pots, dishes, kitchen/bathroom etc

anotherscroller · 15/04/2023 07:32

ThreeRingCircus · 14/04/2023 18:30

Also, going to bed 30 mins earlier and reading a book. I was in a bad habit of staying on my phone til late then falling into bed and being tired but wired. Getting away from screens and reading my book in bed is far more relaxing.

This is mine too.
phone out of the bedroom, got an old fashioned alarm clock. A proper read of a real book before bed.

Goodyetalso · 15/04/2023 07:46

Running. I’m not well enough to do this at the moment but when I was it used to make me feel so good. 3-4 times per week, some short distances, some longer, out whatever the weather.

cooked breakfast every morning including some veg. It means that I’ve had at least one decent meal in the day and 1 or 2 portions of veg so even if things go tits up later and I eat a load of crap or am too tired to cook an evening meal, the damage is limited.

GoTeamTired · 15/04/2023 07:48

Walking the dog. It gives me so much. Exercise, smiles and little chats with people, taking the time to 'see' my local area.

I also drink less coffee and more hot water with lemon and/or ginger.

Following this thread, I an going to start doing jigsaws.

vdbfamily · 15/04/2023 07:50

Celticdawn5 · 15/04/2023 06:37

Sofa with a higher and firmer seat….no longer struggling to get up. (My first ever new sofa)

As an Occupational therapist it amazes me how many people sit too low in furniture. It can be genuinely life changing for anyone with joint pain to have furniture at the right height.
If you measure(whilst seated) from back of knee to floor, that is a good height for the( compressed) height of your chair/ sofa/ toilet seat to be and if you really struggle with pain you may need an inch or so higher.
We are a very tall family so our downstairs toilet is a ' comfort toilet' which is about 20" tall. It is great and lots of visitors connect on how easy it is to get off.
I bought a sofa we liked on eBay and ordered taller legs for it to raise it another 3".
If you have deep armrests you can also raise sofa/ armchair height by putting some high density foam under the actual seat cushion. It is common to add cushions to gain height but eventually you lose the leverage( and trunk support) of the armrests if you go too high.

Goodyetalso · 15/04/2023 07:51

Using what I’ve got. I’m not so good at this in the kitchen but keep on top of it well with toiletries and cosmetics. I seem to acquire so many shower gels, body lotions, hand cream, shampoos etc - must be through Christmas and birthday presents, Mother’s Day etc. I make an effort to use what I have before buying what I prefer. It keeps the clutter down a bit and I discover new favourites that I wouldn’t have bothered trying before. When I finally run out of something (e.g. shampoo) then I don’t mind spending a bit more on one I really like because I’ve saved money using up all the half used bottles and samples for months.

purpletrees16 · 15/04/2023 07:52

I downloaded an app that makes you breathe / wait 6 seconds before opening apps I’ve specified. Also websites like this one. Stops me filling time where I’ll reach for a phone to stem boredom and though I still use the apps I’ve apparently saved a 2.3 days of my life since Jan 1st. (Onesec but others are available.)

I made it suggest Duolingo instead and now I’m halfway through a language course and on 90+ day streak. (That solves kettles boiling and bathroom breaks.)

the best bit is it gives you a warning how long you’ve been on the app which is often enough to stop. Makes it “I will Mumsnet for 15mins” an intention.

openupmyeagereyes · 15/04/2023 08:03

HelloDaisy · 14/04/2023 23:04

I started walking every day with a friend during covid, when we were allowed to meet up, and we’ve kept it up. We walk about 5k most days at a fast pace and it’s so good for my mental health as well as physical. I am much fitter than when we started although no thinner…

We talk and rant and sort out life during our walks and I definitely feel it if I miss going.

We’ve walked in all weathers and it really frees my soul to go tramping through the woods in the rain!

Try ‘rucking’ which is walking with weight in a back pack. You can buy specialist rucksacks and plates or you can do what I do and use cheap kg bags of rice to start with, adding weight every couple of weeks.

https://www.goruck.com/pages/what-is-rucking

What is Rucking? Complete Guide to Amazing Benefits & More | GORUCK

Rucking is a fundamental movement with unbelievable health benefits, and as it turns out, humans are naturally good at it, too.

https://www.goruck.com/pages/what-is-rucking

rileynexttime · 15/04/2023 08:09

@Changedmynameforthis55 ooh thank you so much for this .I've been upset that the spatula type thing I use to remove grounds from the cafetiere is no longer available and these look great .
Unfortunately so do many other of their products .

rookiemere · 15/04/2023 08:14

Got fed up with putting on weight and getting slower and slower at parkrun.

So I bought the Fast 800 Keto book and did an adaptation of that and I've lost 9lb since the end of January. I've stopped counting calories, but just avoid obvious carbs but I still have milk in coffee so it's not extreme.

I feel so much better as I no longer have sugar highs and lows, and we have been away a couple of times and it's fine for eating out I just ask for extra veg or avoid the bread.

Not quite as slow at parkrun but still need some work on that.

WonderingWanda · 15/04/2023 08:17

Champagneforeveryone · 14/04/2023 19:24

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

I bought a second cheese grater and veg peeler recently because I was so fed up of fishing them out of the dishwasher and washing them by hand when I needed them.

Unsure33 · 15/04/2023 08:19

watching The documentary Stutz .

SchoolQuestionnaire · 15/04/2023 08:25

idril · 14/04/2023 18:32

Joined a running club. I used to run for fitness but it was a chore. Joined a club and it became so much fun. Not just running with people when training but also the competitions. Realised that I am actually very good for my age and have won quite a few county medals and smashed my pbs including a sub-19 5k which I am very proud of.

Amazing!

WellPlaced · 15/04/2023 08:26

I have a rule:
Walk wherever I can
Too far to walk I cycle
Too far to cycle I drive (unless bus/train available)