To ask for your self care tips?

[ClandestineAdulation]

I feel like I’ve pulled myself through today instead of enjoying it, can’t put my finger on why.

WIBU to ask for your self care tips, to help me avoid feeling like this in the New Year?

Happy Christmas to all, too. x

Oh kwick I’m so sorry. This thread was for mostly selfish reasons but I do hope it will help others!

clarinsgirl I wish I had the confidence to swim! It’s going to sound really weird but I like to plan. I have multiple organisers and try to use them as much as possible. This can be detrimental though as I tend to obsess if things don’t go to plan; can’t quite find the balance!

clandestine. Planning is good but sounds more like a coping strategy than an escape (I too am a planner 😉). What about something that you genuinely love? (music, a sport, art...). You might not know what it is yet, you may have to hunt it out.

I've always loved swimming but discovered the pure joy of outdoor swimming recently and because I didn't want to stop over the winter I then discovered cold water swimming which has the added benefit of a huge endorphin release.

Knowing how to recharge your batteries is very empowering!

Get organised the night before. Even before I had my DDs I would sit everything out so I could get out ASAP or j would end up wasting the day.

Multivitamins

At least 15 minute walk or bounce on mini trampoline daily

Absolutely nobody irritable, argumentative, over-critical, aggressive, offensive allowed in my life. Not even if a relative

Manicure pedicure eyebrows done at least monthly (don't always manage this but I try). Look after hair too

Good face creams and makeup - I never did this before. Now I think why not, it makes me feel and look good

Facebook: No negative people/pages/forums followed. No following of news pages

Bulk cook so I'm not slaving over cooker too much

Reading - I order 1 good book at a time from eBay or Amazon. I love reading, but had got into mode of looking at social media way too much, so I let books slide. No more.

Following with interest. Self care for me in 2017 was Netflix and a huge bag of crisps .

I have two non sleepers, a DH who is away a lot, and a career that is not going to plan. I am permanently tired and I seem to be aging at an alarming rate! I would like to change that.

I love the idea of finding my “thing”. Never really happened - I will have a proper think about how to go about discovering it.

In the meantime eating a proper evening meal (not left overs then snacks) and doing a little bit more exercise sounds like a good place to start. Just need to make it happen...

@clarinsgirl I love to swim too!!! Not sure if I am brave enough for outside though in the depths of winter...

@ClandestineAdulation no need to apologise - I was just feeling sorry for myself.

Does double cleansing count? Although I do not do every day, I definitely try to make sure I take all my makeup off and put on a night cream.

Also any tips on regaining control of pelvic floor? Laughing and coughing can be awful

There are some great ideas on here.

Staying off Facebook is also good for me. Comparison being the thief of joy and all that.

Engaging with random dogs on walks is also good for my soul. I’d love one of my own but circumstances don’t allow, so I bound up to ransoms all the time! A wavy tail improves my mood no end!

Less screen time, more reading good books.
Regular walking.
Don't try and change people - just try and stay away from them. Use your energy for more worthwhile stuff.
Keep life simple, you don't need stuff you need peace of mind.
Four alcohol free days a week.
At least 7 hours sleep a night.
Rise above things. If someone is being an arsehole, it is always about them, don't take it personally. Put it in the fuck it bucket and move on.
Stop watching soaps.
Listen to music more, have a bop in the front room.
Life really is too short for a lot of the stuff we obsess about, worry about, get upset about. Of course get worry about the important stuff but the fact that Amanda in Finance has just given you a dirty look is not worth worrying about.
Find a passion, one that takes your mind off things.
Get rid of any negative habits like eating too much, drinking too much - moderation is boring but works
Don't get embroiled in petty arguments or in other's dramas.
Realise that life is not fair, you just have to make the best of things. Moaning does not help.
Never make somebody a priority in life when you are just an option in theirs - heard this saying years ago and it freed me from wasting time on an arsewipe.
Appreciate good stuff - people, art, books, good telly and film - appreciate their creativity.
Ignore know it alls who type out lists on Mumsnet, find your own way.

I’ve bought myself an exercise bike and am vowing to use it, inspired by PPs who raved about exercise - sounds ridiculous but it never crossed my mind that would be deemed ‘self care’!

For me un 2018 giving myself 25mins at least a day to do my exercises as a gift to myself as it drastically improves my mental health. Tracking my spends so that I don't run out of money before month and finally not being scared to say no to my kids. Also if they want to argue with each other fine, separate rooms and no tech if need be, but I am going to get my life and sanity back in 2018, good luck to everyone else and a happy new year to you! This year I am the same priority I give everyone else in this house.

I am going to try and cultivate the habit of daily yoga 😬

Eating regularly and healthily.
Going to bed early and trying to get a good night's sleep (Am pregnant and have a toddler so doesn't always work).
Walk a lot.
Treat myself to little things that make me happy, e.g., coffee and cake in a coffee shop, a new book, a scented candle, a long bath.
Try to maintain the basics of self grooming, e.g., get my highlights done, hair cut, eyebrows treaded, skincare routine.
Cosy clothes as often as possible.