What do you do for YOUR wellbeing?

[AgualusasLover]

I’ve been a bit triggered by some stuff today and my usual go tos haven’t helped as much (books and a long bath). In my bath I really couldn’t concentrate on my book as my mind was racing and I was thinking that a whole heap of things are related to this small/insignificant incident today. E.g. I put on an enormous amount of weight and am really quite unhealthy but my emotional eating stems from this. I’m also fully aware, I am in charge of my eating and exercise not these abstract things that upset me.

Reading and writing, submersion in water help me when I am stressed. But I want to start holistically trying to look after myself, rather than responding.

All a bit vague I know and I am generally pretty well
balanced, and don’t really dwell on things so I’ve annoyed myself a bit that I’ve become upset about something that was twenty years ago.

What are your go tos to maintain balance - or when you do get stressed. How can I bring some more balance on an ongoing basis?

For me it’s prioritising sleep. Everything else flows from that for me. When I’m well slept I’m much more likely to feel positive, eat well and exercise. When poorly slept I’m more likely to eat crap and chose doom scrolling over exercise.

Going to the gym. I go much more for my mental health rather than my physical. If I’m stressed I swim, use the sauna, cold shower and hydrotherapy pool. I never come out feeling worse than when I went in! As a bonus I go near bedtime so I can shower, hair wash and basically be ready for bed.

Consistent sleep times. And a regular sauna.

Journalling and therapy - which might help you too? You mention you don’t dwell on things and you’re annoyed that you’re upset about something that happened a long time ago. If you simply allow yourself to feel upset (no judgement or anger about it), the feeling will pass and there wont be any emotional charge led to get triggered again or turn to emotional eating.

Sometimes we need some help to learn how to feel the original feelings and to bring awareness to how we want to push things down or judge ourselves etc, so that’s where the therapy comes in.

I have a bath every evening and a massage once a month.

I definitely feel better when I'm reading, rather than phone scrolling, although it's not always easy to find books I want to read, especially if I've been struggling with sleep when my usual non-fiction feels too like hard work.

Listening to music - cutting vege for dinner, for example, feels so much more pleasurable if I can have a singsong whilst doing it!

Getting outside. A walk, people watching, sitting outside with a book. Doesn't really matter what but fresh air and a change of scenery makes a huge difference to me

I have always taken time for myself, easier now my children are older, but I’ve always been someone who needs downtime on my own so I’ve always made sure I got it.

Meditate every day.

Exercise. Running, swimming, weights, yoga all help my mental health.

Having animals.

Eat healthily.

Removed certain people from my life. (Top of the list possibly)

Therapy.

Plan things to look forward to like holidays and concerts.

Gardening!! Absolutely got me through Covid. Grew peas that first summer... Grew huge pumpkins that autumn..
Recently moved house. Massive blow to my mh. Just today got out there and made a start. Feeling more positive today. Even a few pots can produce good stuff!!

Walking or running. Doesn't have to be much, a 10 minute walk round the block is sometimes all it needs to help clear my head before or after work. Reading too but I have to work at it or I get distracted and reach for my phone.

Yes to walking.

I'd love to get back into running but I don't enjoy running alone.

Gym is my new go too, makes me feel amazing! Weights, cardio and a swim, finishing in the jacuzzi and sauna.

Also regular nights away really helped when my job was high stress.

Eating well and sleeping well are also important.

I am also an emotional eater but removing work stress by changing job has enabled me more time and energy to work on me and I’m fitter and a stone lighter!

Singing in a choir! I love that 150 people, all different, various ages and backgrounds, with their own stresses and problems, come together once per week and just learn some music and sing it until it sounds great - then we go home and do it all again the following week.

Having a really good sleep routine. I go upstairs every night at 10pm. Nice pyjamas, face cream etc and I read my book once I'm in bed (no phone allowed, only my book and it guarantees I spend time reading every day). Lights out around 11pm and an eye mask to wear to go to sleep. If I find my mind wandering I put on a very gentle podcast like The Sleepy Bookshelf or Nothing Much Happens. I totally agree with a PP that everything seems to stem from sleeping well.

Walking and listening to a podcast at the same time. I like You're Dead To Me as it's a historian teaching a comedian about a certain historical figure or period so it feels like I'm learning and exercising but is actually really enjoyable.

Being outside in general. Eating my meals or drinking my coffee in the garden whenever possible. A bit of gardening, I planted some strawberries in hanging baskets yesterday and just doing that made me feel brighter. I'm going to plant some potatoes in big buckets on the patio tomorrow. A bit of fresh air, gentle exercise and the hope of something nice to come.

Time to think, journal, meditate, yoga, deep breathing

Definitely agree with having some nice things booked to look forward to.

Daily yoga
Being outside
Good sleep
Time on my own on regular basis
Reduce alcohol

1. Physical exercise in the outdoors. I love running so that’s what I do - haven’t always loved it but got into it after doing one parkrun and wanting to beat my time. Turns out I’m quite good at it and it is the single biggest thing I do for my mental health. It gives me time to think and process things, and I also make a point of appreciating nature and the changes of seasons as I run.
2. prioritising sleep. (Running helps with this as I sleep well after a long run!)
3. taking Facebook and Instagram off my phone
4. eating well. Protein with every meal, lots of eggs, minimal processed food, loads of veggies and nuts. Toasted seeds and nuts make every meal better.
5. baking bread. I find it therapeutic and satisfying
6. creative pursuits. Being in an am dram group. When I’m on holiday I spend time painting to relax. No time for this in every day life though!
7. keeping a gratitude diary

Gardening - even a pot of bulbs or bedding plants, the physical planting and then nurturing them and watching them grow.
Being with pets - having something rely on me for food, fun, company is a really good feeling.
Cutting out toxic people - I'm now learning not to be a people pleaser, if someone upsets me or brings me down, I distance myself straight away.
Sitting/walking in sunshine - instant mood lifter.
Being by the sea - luckily I'm near the coast and wave watching is a brilliant way to relax.

Another vote for gardening.

For me, it ticks a lot of boxes- physical activity, being outdoors, a creative outlet, something to nurture, gives hope in the future, and means I can be surrounded by beauty.

I WFH a lot and have an indoor greenhouse cabinet in my office where I grow rare tropical plants. They can be quite challenging but I love it- if I’m on a stressy Teams meeting, I’ll come off and start adjusting the humidity and light for an aroid. Really takes focus away from everything else- it’s complete mental immersion.

Walking the dog
Sauna
Watching the Sun rise or set (I have got strangely fixated on this - it is almost magical if there are no clouds)
Watching a really good comedy program with dd
Sitting in a cafe reading a book with a cup of tea and the dog

I love being in water too! I aim for 60-70 lengths before work at 9am. Wakes me and sets me up physically and mentally for the day! 😍

Play the piano - even if I’ve had a terrible day, losing myself in music soothes my soul.
Go out to places by myself eg National Trust properties
Make lists
Drink at least 2 litres of water a day
Just started taking a supplement with probiotics
Planning to start cycling again
Spend time with the bunnies - they really are a joy 🐰❤️
Eat really good quality chocolate
No alcohol ( I haven’t touched a drop since the end of January 2024)

Time to myself.
Things to look forward to.
Walking.
Meeting up with good friends and chewing the fat over the last week.
And have lost a few kg lately - realised how much more in control l feel which in turn makes me feel so mich better. Still very overweight but it's a start.

I run, walk, swim, play badminton and do yoga. Listen to a lot of music (never without at least one pair of headphones). Cuddle a cat and drink decent tea and see a therapist.

Therapy, walking, wild swimming, journalling, quiet time, gym, reading, finding something that really makes me laugh, having a good old cry to a film (helps settle the nervous system), no alcohol.