What little things do you do to look after yourself?

[NoUpcomingDramas]

I really need to look after myself more. I am mid 40s, feel tired and headachy all the time. What little things do you do, at any age, just to prioritise your health and mental wellbeing?

Well I've just woken up from a nap...

Does that count?

Also -

HRT, good nutrition, gym, sea swimming, exercise and fresh air and rest when I can.

I work full time and get up at 05:45 weekdays to ensure I get exercise in my day. I have a cleaner z1 x a fortnight, and so online shopping for food as much as possible.

And nap at the weekend!!

An early night when I need one, an afternoon nap, long hot baths, healthy eating for most of the week and indulgences for weekend only, reading books, at least one orgasm a day.

At 50 I signed up with a personal trainer at my local gym. I do weightlifting & cardio 3 mornings a week before work & it’s made a huge difference to my fitness levels.

Fostering cats has done a lot for my mental wellbeing too.

Count steps and exercise minutes, do strength/stretch routine daily, watch diet, get all medical check-ups, take vitamins and supplements, try to meditate, try to get decent sleep, limit time with toxic people as much as possible, cultivate friendships.

I am in bed by 10 o'clock every night. I rarely drink alcohol anymore. I try and start my day with either 10 minutes of yoga or a 10 minute meditation. I have adopted the attitude of "unconditional positive regard" towards every person I meet, and especially towards myself.

I hope you enjoy finding the things that make you feel good. Life is short and ridiculous and you deserve happiness and joy.

Thanks so far. Love these little ideas. Have two children and full time job so not easy finding time so any ideas welcome please!!

Hot lemon water every morning
Daily planking
Regular running
Healthy vegan diet
Teetotal
Weekly face mask & exfoliating, paint nails etc

Water, vitamins, fresh air, therapy & outsource whatever I can - online food shop with delivery, gardener, cleaner etc.

Bought a second hand peloton so I exercise 30mins at least 3x per morning - just jump on in whatever clothes are lying around, a lot quicker than going to the gym

Bed by 10pm week nights

Wild swimming. Spending time with women. Volunteering in the community.

Challenging myself not to repeat negative thoughts about myself. Trying to treat myself with the same kindness I would a friend.

Wanting to look after yourself better is a big positive first step..

Things I’m always trying and failing to keep up

• eating more vegetables
• daily walk
• daily yoga or workout
• drinking my water
• laying of the UPFs
• doing a mani and pedi at the weekend
• buying myself full new outfits once in a while
• doing something with my hair once in a while

Spin classes four times a week with a nice sit in the sauna afterwards.

Lots of fruit and veg

Early nights

Peace and quiet (no telly etc...)

I rarely drink, don't smoke.
My meals are healthy, although I do have treats at least once a week.
I like to get into the garden when the weather is good - Vitamin D and fresh air.
I take a daily multivitamin tablet.
I meet my friends once a week or more.
I have my nails done once a month, hair every 2 months.

Regular full body massage
Remember, you're not just a mum, holiday without the kids once a year
Hot yoga
Shoot the breeze with women, yes
Positive affirmations to the universe
Listening to your favourite music through noise cancelling headphones.

I am currently doing Mounjaro alongside a new healthy lifestyle, it's a huge investment financially for me at the moment but truthfully it has really changed my life and in turn it'll help my daughter have a better childhood with a happy confident energetic mum.

Daily yoga.
Daily arm weights and sit ups.
No alcohol. (well, one JD on a Sat night)
Avoiding wheat. (hard)
Lots of vitamins.
Lots of water (also hard)
Love my cats (easy!) and lots of care for my plants - house and garden.
Nice smells in the house - wax melts/incense ect

This is me.

I don't really do it. More think about and intend to do it, then order takeaway and watch Netflix.

Avoid carbs.
I've been doing this for 5 weeks and feel so much better.
No headaches or lethargy.

Walk at least an hour a day (fortunately my commute to work allows this) listening to a fun or interesting podcast.

Get out into nature. I can happily stare at and listen to the sea for hours.

Spend quality time with friends.

Have things on the calendar with husband/friends planned and paid for in advance/spread cost - night away, gig, cinema, holiday, restaurant so there's always something special each month to look forward to.

If I reasonably can and feel it coming on, take a disco nap - this only really happens on the weekends.

HRT.

Aim to eat berries and green veg every day.

I'm 44

Nice skincare
Fruit/veg with every meal
Nap if I feel like it
No bread/pasta
Fresh air every day
A little dark chocolate rather than puds or biscuits
Only watch comedy/light hearted stuff or listen to fun podcasts.
Avoid social media

Prioritise sleep. Without this, nothing else really works
Stretch
Lift weights
Eat nutritious food most of the time and don’t worry about occasional calorie dense meals or snacks
Get deep tissue massages
Mani pedis
Great sex
Keep my house clean and tidy and thoroughly enjoy being at home
Be nice to people. It comes back.

A bout of illness and injury have made me reassess the effort I make to look after myself. I have young children so don't sleep or rest as much as I'd like, but I do:

Eat a wide variety of fruit and veg (currently doing that "30 types a week" thing)

Minimise the amount of alcohol I have. It's probably one drink a week these days.

Drag myself out for a jog three times a week, rain or shine and do regular exercises to keep my core and back strong

Walk 10,000 steps a day

Wash my hands every time I get to the office or come home and don't touch my face out and about (two consecutive chest infections have made me a germ phobe)

Take vitamins

Get my flu jab

Go to bed by 10pm every night

Try to minimise stress (but this is very difficult with my job)

This has kept me healthy ish for a couple of years. I came to realise that putting myself last all the time was actually counter productive as I kept being ill for several days at a time.

I have always looked after myself time wise. I sleep a lot, nap, have baths, just take time for myself. Have my eyelashes dyed. It comes naturally to me. Maybe you should also think more deeply about why it doesn't for you?