Small changes to improve my life

[Thenewnewme]

I’m feeling quite flat today. It’s a mixture of dealing with my mother’s death, one child with a list of small but concerning medical issues, another going through a tantrum stage, dull days, dark evening and generally not looking after myself to well.

What small, easy things can I do to make myself feel better. What things have made you feel better?

Really decent coffee, and groceries delivered instead of supermarket.
Plus Sort your life out on IPlayer

Uplifting fiction.
Autumn baking, apple pie with cinnamon
Actually any easy cook tasty but healthy-ish food
Cheese on toast
Raindrop racing down windows with the kids
Mammoth session of Pixar movies
Ginger herbal tea
Foot bath with pumice and foot lotion
Pretty modern image jigsaw

Indulge in some new cosy PJs and socks, a new throw, anything to snuggle in during the dark nights.

I like buying a new shower gel or moisturiser or something to cheer myself up. Doesn’t have to be pricey, just something different.

Getting into bed early with a good uplifting book and being all cosy.

Crack out the Christmas movies!

I’m really sorry for your loss x

Thanks. I’ve very caffeine sensitive but I’ll look at some nice herbal teas. I already get online delivery. Meal planning is my nemesis. I love that programme and should have nothing left in my house but I still have too much.

I'm so sorry about your mum. And the other hard stuff.

Things I do:
Making sure I get enough sleep.
Connecting with people, making time for them.
(I tend to withdraw when sad/stressed - and I've learnt it doesn't help. )
Trying to notice the little things about where I live - I saw a buzzard land on a fence post driving home today.
Try to remember that everything changes, moves on and is a phase (tantrums, teenagers...)

Expensive bath milk/oil. I opened one yesterday that I had been saving for 'best' just because and even after a quick bath I felt better about myself.

Hope you find something that works.

Thanks. I made pumpkin cake with the kids today. Uplifting books is a good idea and I can’t concentrate on TV at the moment. Unfortunately the youngest is scared of all films we’ve tried to watch.

Thanks. I do love a Christmas film. I’ve been going to bed too early and I’m wide awake by 4 in the morning but not wanting to get up and disturb the kids.

Funny movies and videos

Cleanse social media of anything that makes me feel sad or insecure

Good bedding, pitch dark bedroom for good sleep

Several baths or showers a day, nice fabrics pj or lounge wear, really good socks, u derwent and slippers. Basically, create a cosy cocoon with good vibes that you can escape and recharge.

Daily stretches. Self care routine.

If you're physically able exercise, I make myself go for even a short bike ride, hate setting off, I'm usually arguing with myself about not wanting to go but always come back in a better mood. I process any anger, grief, anxiety etc. Spending any time in nature or with animals helps me.
Watching something grow is good especially if you're feeling depressed or stuck. Obviously not the best time of year but you can buy tiny houseplants to care for. Or sprout some seeds.

I've put the white rooty bit of a spring onion in some water by the window and its amazing seeing it shoot up green parts again. Nature is very healing.

Go outside and notice something in nature, the moon, a bird, a spider web, a plant; something that exists outside ourselves and is doing its own thing. Personally I bloody love a bird feeder at this time of year. Makes my day to watch the birds on it.

Go out for a walk and treat yourself to something you love but don't get often, e.g. we have a lovely bakery where I live, a bit pricey, but I treat myself now and then.

Small things that have really improved my life are:

Taking vitamins every day

Every time I go to the loo I do ten squats and ten press ups leaning against the wall. Tiny bits of exercise that add up across the day

Once a week on a Sunday I take an hour to myself to have a bubble bath, listen to music, cover myself in body lotion and get into comfortable pyjamas.

I listen to a podcast called The Sleepy Bookshelf at night. Essentially bedtime stories for grown ups but they read lots of classic novels. It's very calming.

Do you like craft of any sort? Even just mucking about with some paper, glue and old magazines or wallpaper with the kids is fun. Can you knit? Knitting or crochet? They are the cosiest winter crafts AND you get scarves and blankets.

Make your place as cosy as you can - fairy lights, cosy blankets on the sofa, a hot water bottle and some fluffy socks.

https://www.instagram.com/donnaashworthwords This lady writes some very uplifting and comforting words on life, love and loss. She's really helped me in the darkest of days.

Hope life gets much easier for you very soon.

Exercise. Even if you only have time for 10 minutes.

And vitamin D.

Watch your favourite stand ups' routines - either brief clips if you are in a hurry or full length shows. Beats miserable news and documentaries. Usually easy to find online.

Move! Do 5 minute yoga or HIIT workouts, or put on a song and dance in the kitchen. Walk in nature for 15 mins to an hour.

Take 10 mins at the start of the day. Make a really soothing brew, put some seed or bread out for the birds and just watch them while you drink it. So calming and uplifting. And you get a real kick if a rare bird comes into your garden.

Do all mundane tasks, from sorting and folding laundry to cooking dinner, to the backdrop of an interesting podcast or really uplifting music.

Change a room around. Reposition the furniture and add focal points of candles, flowers, plants, photos etc.

If you like baking, how about getting ready for Christmas? Mince meat, Christmas cake, Christmas pudd?

Thanks everyone. I’m using this to help create myself a daily routine.

Meditation, for me.

Exercise, outdoors, reasonably early in the day so you get the morning light.

Writing.

Swearing.

Gardening.