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.

I like that one. I enjoy embarrassing 11 year old dd by singing along to godawful Grime 'music ' in the car.

No one can tell you how to be happy op. It's quite often the small little things though that just manage to make you feel... Well... Good about your life.
Take some time for you and may be just be selfish for a sort period of time to do something just for you, what ever you want. Just stare at someone you love cos their just fab, think back to a good time cos it makes you feel warm and fuzzy, watch a guilty pleasure on tv, eat choccy for breakfast, dance like no ones watching no matter how daft you look, they are some of my favourites.

Watching with interest - would also love to find ways of boosting my mood :)

Learn a new skill. I pick something every year and dont think you can beat the sense of acheivement and self confidence it gives you to know you can do it, plus it keeps you occupied and your mind active. So far I’ve taught myself to crochet, knit, draw portraits and am currently deciding which language to learn when January hits

A great approach Wishingonabar

Get the implant out!!
I had one a few years ago, was constantly belleding and felt miserable. After a particularly horrible fight with DH, I swore off all hormonal contraception and got a copper coil out in. I’ve never looked back. It made me feel so mirerable all the time!
Also, take vitamin d if you don’t spend a lot of time outside, and you live in the uk.
These two things have given me sooooo much more energ

Treat yourself. Lush do some lowly smelling bath bombs, get one, and a face mask and have a long soak in the bath. With a glass of wine and a mag.

What cheers me up is a Chinese takeaway and a film all on my own :)

I used to love a day or two at a spa this time of year but with finances & childcare it’s no longer an option. I have a really lovely big book by champneys which has gorgeous healthy recipes and diy self care rituals that to do at home which I love doing. You feel so cozy & relaxed after - particularly a hot bath, body scrub & then warm oil and then wrap yourself up in a warmed towel and lie on bed on top of electric blanket with soft music & scented candle. As good as a £100 massage for me

I also find buying a new notebook and filling it with ideas to make me happy really inspiring. I look at it most days, add to it and have lists of books, tv shows, scents, recipes, toiletries, events, places etc and make sure I allow myself time to pick some

Wine used to help, but now making me feel tired & crap, so I’m determined to change my evenings to painting my nails/colouring in books/magazines in front of the tv rather than a few glasses of Malbec.

Comedy! It really helps! Try Master of None and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt on Netflix. Even old episodes of friends. Best wishes to you. X

Blue that is so niche! I might have to find it just to see if it's relaxing.

Exercise and fresh air. I know I sound like a Victorian tyrant saying that but they really are key to happiness I think.

For me on my down days I run a bubble bath and when I bath I imagine I'm cleaning away bad emotions (sounds silly but works).

I cook some comfort food, make a cuppa and read a book.

Excercise is actually the best thing for feeling low too

Go do something that terrifies you, a bungee jump. Something that reminds you that you are alive and have a lot to lose. Something that makes you see yourself differently.

Make an effort to smile. Nothing too weird, but if you have a pleasant expression on your face, in the bus queue, in shops, your day will go much better.

Exercise - you don't have to go to the gym and leap around. Just getting out of the house for a walk round the block on a daily basis will help. It'll help with your Vit D levels, too. Get them checked.

Make appointments for the afternoon or early morning, when you might be tempted to nap or have a lie in.

Get stuck in to a long-running boxed set. It's nice having something to look forward to in the evenings.

Try not to procrastinate with school work. You're going to have to do it some time anyway. Do it now instead of letting it hang over you.

Learn something new. That always perks me up. And catchy music in the mornings.

Good luck!

Firstly sort your health out. Definitely look somewhere like Holland and Barrett for a natural iron supplement as this might help. Also back to your GP and pester them to get you sorted, otherwise you'll not get the chance until the Xmas break.

Just a little warning - lots of people are saying to try different iron supplements eg floradix, but prescription iron to treat deficiency will have a hugely bigger dose than anything you can buy at the chemist, so please take what the doctor has prescribed.

I feel much better when I am organised - drawers tidied in bedrooom, food in cupboards.

Walks in autumn leaves.

If you can afford it, a new outfit or item that will transform this season’s look eg autumn boots or winter coat.

I was in exactly your position. Very heavy periods and very anemic. A few things:

You cannot buy high dose iron over the counter, I know, I tried because the tablets I was prescribed gave me a horrible tummy and terrible diarrhoea(sorry TMI)
A pharmasist told me I was wasting my time talking otc iron and I should firstly take the prescribed tablets with a small glass of fresh orange juice. I tried it and had no more stomach issues! It works as the Vit C in the orange means the iron can be absorbed much better and doesn’t go straight through you.
So please try that first with your prescribed tablets. (If that didn’t work the pharmacist advised going back to Dr and getting liquid iron)

Secondly I was given Transexamic acid. This has helped so much with heavy periods. Maybe worth asking your GP about?

I know I felt absolutely dreadful when anaemia, I had so little energy I thought I much have something very seriously wrong with me. Don’t underestimate how much better you will feel when you get this sorted!

Hope you have a lovely week off!

Hey! sorry havent read all thread but saw that your ferritin 7 which is soooooo low!! i know you're taking iron, just keep doing so! i felt lousy with ferritin of 25.

Thanks all. Yes 7 is ridiculous. I feel pretty horrendous. My tummy is still cramping today.

Off for a carvery today with the dc. Hopefully that will cheer me up.

Had a delicious carvery. Have decided to join the gym with the dc. Was worried about cost but they have tons of kids' activities there and as I have the dc for most holidays, it'll actually probably save us money. Something for us all to do.

I’m going to post my comment before reading the rest of the thread because I will end up painting my nails and never answering 😂

I suffer badly with anxiety. I find life a daily struggle and wake up and have a panic attack.

I have two beautiful children. 2 and 6 and they are really testing me lately but god I love them.

Things that really help me are (and some may find these silly);

A hot bath - I shower first, wash my hair, then put on a nice conditioning treatment, then I have a lovely relaxing bath, with a face mask on, alcohol optional 😉 I use my best bubble bath. Either a muscle soak by Elemis or my Pure Grace because I love the smell. Or sometimes just an Asda’s own and drops of lavender.

Candles always seem to help me. Especially with the darker nights I feel so at home when they are lit.

A cheeky ciggerette. It doesn’t exactly make me happy but it does help to calm me down and have 5 minutes peace.

Crystals... I have a rose quarts which I take with me everywhere and I do think it gives me good energy and it helps me to think positive when I hold it. That is my own way of thinking though.

A nice walk and coming home to comfort food. I nice slow cooked meal, pork and stuffing sandwiches, a veggie soup, and I absolutely love prawns and use them as a comfort food because no one else in my house hold eats them! more for me!

Any kind of beauty treatment.

The main one would be when I have a strange moment of wanting to clean and tidy absolutely everything. I have a huge sort out of my clothes, make up, junk I’ve gathered over a million years, the kids toys and clothes too. I just love how the house feels (and smells?!) afterwards. But it never seems to last long!

I like to watch funny videos on youtube.

Read a good book

Watch a good film

And I love to hear my children laugh, especially if we have all had a stressful day. Tickle fights, or playing a game such a charades.

In the mornings I have started to drink a glass of no not wine cold water which I have infused with mint, lemon, cucumber and apple cider vinegar in a large jug overnight. It makes me feel refreshed which is a good way for me to start the day as I always feel so drained and down.

I’m going to read through the other comments now and gather some tips for myself

This is a great thread! Love seems ideas which help our mental and physical being.

All the best!