Your non-negotiable rules for your wellbeing / feeling good?

[FullyLined]

I am currently on a relaxing AI holiday for 10 days with time, headspace and access to any food and drink 24/7. This has given me opportunity to exercise in the morning, and eat and drink healthily, slow down my brain and finally all the things that serve me well are coming into focus. None are new but become sporadic when I am back to real life. So, I am typing them up now and will print out when I get back and place strategically around the house. Happy to share mine here, but looking for inspiration from others, what rules do you stick by to make sure you feel good, physically and mentally?

Following. Could really use some right now.

Exercise 5 mornings a week
yoga 2x a week
Try to walk everywhere and limit car usage as much as possible
don’t drink alcohol
Work part time

I sleep like a baby and generally pretty bloody happy!

Oh and short sharp exercises…. No gym

so it’s 30 mins run
or weight training with you tube vid
or out in garden room on rower

30 mins is SO manageable

Following for inspiration/motivation. I have the best of intentions (largely unrealistic ones though) but find it difficult to make time for me (I work FT and have a PT weekend job too).

On a good week, I’ll manage:
2 x exercise classes
1 hour reading
1 everything shower, clean PJs, clean sheets
Daily moisturising

On a bad week, I do none of these! The moisturising one was a game changer for me and showed how easily habits can be incorporated into daily routines. Easier said than done.

Working out everyday

Make sure I get at least 9 hours sleep

Spending time with my dogs

Only drinking wine at the weekend

Avoiding spending time with people I don't like

Spend enough time outdoors.
Hot baths.
Delicious-smelling things.
Read enough.
Breathe well.

Eat loads of vegetables with my dinner
get outside every day
( try and fail to ) not feel guilty if I need a quite day

I see a theme here...... exercising, eating healthy, time for self-care and things that matter to us....... plus being able to block out things that disturb our equilibrium...

@Ihateboris how on earth do you achieve 9hrs sleep?

I make sure I make time to read and journal every day. Ideally a bit of sewing too.

I leave my phone in another room for a few hours every evening to stop me doom scrolling

I’ve noticed since I got my dog in October I’m out walking a lot more and def feel fitter (although I’m still overweight!) I love being out and about with the dog which is good. I don’t really drink alcohol very much and try and only drink water. I want to try and have more fruit and veg but I need to work on that a bit more! I need a lot of sleep to function. I also find that when my house is clean and tidy and organised I feel so much better in myself!

Move every day (walk / yoga / weights at the gym)
Strength train 3 times a week
Protein with every meal
Loads of fruit and veg
Cut right back on processed sugar
Aim for 8 hours minimum every night
2 litres of water every day
Time for books and telly I enjoy most days
Talk nicely to myself - notice every single good decision I make and point it out to myself. Be compassionate when I mess up
Reach out and make contact if feeling anxious/ lonely / going to the dark side

Be consistent with all of the above!

Sweaty exercise 6 days a week
Walk outside every day
Protein with every meal
Lots of fruit and veg
Sleep 7-8 hours
Lots of alone time
Limited alcohol

I don't have children! I go to bed no later than 9 and get up between 6 and 7. I bloody love my sleep 😴

Aha! Or dogs I bet! My labrador came in at 4.20am for his breakfast this morning and I was down the river with him half an hour later!

I have kids and pull a solid 8 hours and wake naturally

I also have dogs..two labradors who were swimming at 7am! 😃

I work out 5 days a week. I will never compromise on this.

I build down time into every day. I would never rush from A to B to C, with no time to chill out on my own for an hour or two and let my brain and body relax. If we have guests staying, I excuse myself to lie upstairs on my bed for an hour, to watch a YouTube video and unwind. It makes me better company later on.

These days, and as a poor sleeper, I won't have the little precious sleep I get compromised. So if there's even a hint that I might be disturbed by DH, I immediately bail and sleep in the spare room. No more struggling through. It doesn't impact our relationship at all. We get in to bed together for our morning coffee.

6 days a week of exercise and at least 15 miles of running a week.

spending time with my adult dds.

seeing friends.

eating well, but also enjoying treats and not feel guilty about it as I know I’ve earned them through exercise.

spending time outdoors, especially near the sea.

'So if there's even a hint that I might be disturbed by DH, I immediately bail and sleep in the spare room'

We used to end up bailing a lot, but decided to sleep in separate rooms a couple of years ago. Can't recommend it enough. We read in bed together at night, then he goes next door to the (lovely) spare bed. No troubles with snoring, fidgeting etc

Absolutely. I am useless if I get less than seven hours’ quality sleep, as is DH. At my instigation we’ve implemented separate rooms and it makes a world of difference. Just wish it wasn’t viewed so negatively.

Are any of you working full time with school aged kids? I managed this kind of lifestyle before kids and was definitely happier, but can’t do it anymore - exercise ans sleep being the main casualties!

(don’t even mention alone time)

One of my “rules” is I work part time!

Yes. But you can’t work or parent well when you’re not looking after yourself. Everything is better when you prioritise your own wellbeing.

reading every single day (15-20-30 min)
half of the plate veggies
alcohol vvv rarely
4x at least 30 min workout
Bake something lovely usually once a week
clean house
push away negative thoughts and try to reframe it (crap at it, still, after PPD)