To ask what small things I can do to make myself happier?

[Farontothemaddingcrowd]

I've had a bad time with depression and relationship break ups. Always the dumpee for some reason.

I'm a single parent to 3 dc but my youngest is nearly 8, so I'm starting to get a bit of time to myself. I'm anaemic and constantly exhausted and often don't feel like doing much.

I need a kick up the bum. I'm not going to feel any better if I keep wallowing.

What small or big things might help me to feel happier?

My cat is currently making me happy, purring away while nestled in the crook of my arm.

I think I'd quite like to do something completely decadent and self indulgent.

Do you work?

I teach full time. Half term now though.

Bath, paint your toenails a bright colour (this makes me smile every time I see them), buy a magazine you fancy, hot chocolate and crumpets, clean sheets, a hot water bottle in bed tonight, buy some flowers for the house, go for a walk, read a very silly book. Just a couple of ideas. Enjoy/ hope you enjoyed half term !

Try feroglobin plus for your energy levels.

Next week my dc are back at school and I have another week off. I do need to do some work, but I also want to indulge myself a bit. I have a lunch date on tues which I'm going to have to force myself to go to, as my default mode is to try to sleep when I get the chance.
I love magazines and hot choc

Would love to know how to be happier

Thanks, I need to look at my energy levels. I'm on a horrible period which won't be helping with my iron levels or the general feeling of grottiness.

A new hairstyle, a long lazy bubble bath, taking the time to do an old hobby or find a new one (I've just treated myself to a candle-making kit), watching a tv program that's just for you, have a hot choc with cream and marshmallows

Put music on and jump/dance energetically.

Do a bit of yoga - apparently Adriene on YouTube is good?

Get outside in the wind for a while.

Sit with a hot water bottle in the evening.

I need to get back into creative writing. Why did you ask if I worked, Mr Trebus?

I'm a teacher too. To enjoy myself I wander around antique or charity shops. I bake cakes. I read, particularly in bed. I plan my next DIY/ decorating project using ideas from magazines. I buy photo frames and fill them or make photobooks online. I go for walks. I batch cook for the coming week. I love candles and oil burners. Just some ideas. Enjoy your week

Set aside a couple of hours to pamper yourself with a face mask, do your nails, style your hair, whatever you usually rush through or miss out.

A gratitude journal might help - as soon as you wake up, think of three things you’re grateful for. I’m a teacher too, and sometimes I’ve had to scrape the bottom of my gratitude barrel, but even things like ‘a cup of tea’ or ‘being able to afford electricity so I don’t kill myself going down the stairs’ have made the list on occasion.

It’s a bit naff but it does work!

I need a hot water bottle on my tummy now.

Sorry I meant to reply straight away but got side tracked. I asked as that would be a big thing to change if you said no you didn't work. I find being on mat leave my brain is fried and I'm actually looking forward to going back to work part time. I think working can do a lot for your confidence etc which makes you happier so thats why I asked. Otherwise I'd say swimming, it makes you feel good during and after and I love aqua aerobics too.

Floradix for your anaemia.

Buying new clothes makes me happy. I’d love to hire a personal shopper in a big department store and try on things. You could make a day of it with lunch and a hot chocolate and cakes to finish the day.

Exercising and making your heart race gives a buzz.

Having a mani/pedi, hand and foot massages are amazing.

Yes I do feel more down during the holidays actually. Next week I will get my nails done properly. I need to get into exercising, I know it'd make me feel better, though it is the last thing you want to do when you feel tired.

This thread has made me hunt out some nail polish and set it aside to do my nails tonight. They are chipped and miserable and make me sad every time I see them. Thank you :) I needed that kick.

Make sure you take your iron

I am also an anemic single parent - my feel good inducers are:
Running
Wine
New pyjamas
Nice bath stuff
Wine
Hair cuts
Wine
Seeing friends
Netflix
Wine!

Try and do a walk everyday. I think it makes a big difference to energy levels and getting daylight is important. I've done one most days since the beginning of September and feel really good for it.
Get an iron supplement.
I always feel better if I wear my favourite clothes.
Good luck.

Exercising will only work if you have enough iron/treated the anemia, otherwise you will feel exhausted. Treating this and getting your iron stores up will make you feel better than any one pampering thing, which while nice, won't produce a lasting effect. When were you last checked? What treatment are you taking? I'd be looking online at what you can do for your iron levels (inc iron stores which are often depleted even if your blood iron is showing as ok now), eating iron rich foods, taking supplements (I take spatone but it may not be enough for you) inc B to facilitate absorption, cut out caffeine as this interferes with iron uptake, all this will make you feel better in the longer term.

I've done a range of workshops the last year and a half or so after my GP suggested I really needed to have dune time for myself (I have anxiety) - micro-macrame, wire wrapping, wire-weaving, felting, needle felting, creative writing and so on. Could you find something new to try? You could look for online tutorials.

Anywhere nice near you to walk? I love walks on dry autumn days.

Watch films with someone gorgeous in. While drinking a glass of wine and eating chocolates or cake, or a really nice ice-cream.

I love book shopping. And buying beautiful notebooks (love Paperblanks, I have about five I've not written in yet).

I have iron on prescription. Hate taking it as it makes me feel sick but I know I need to. I love Netflix. A walk would be good.

keep stroking the cat! Haven't they proved that stroking a cat lowers blood pressure and improves mood?

Mirime I misread that and thought you meant that I should get someone gorgeous in to watch a film with . Though that would be good too!