Aibu to ask for your favourite activities or items which contribute to your happiness, health and wellbeing?

[yellowpolkadots101]

Approaching 30 and I have been dealing with a bad period of anxiety over the last 12 months, I have really been trying to improve my general happiness, health and wellbeing and thought I would share my activities etc to help others!

I will start:

1. I treated myself to an essential oil diffuser with a kit of essential oils and each night I diffuse oils such as lavender to relax and keep calm.
2. My showers now consist of putting the plug in and dropping a few drops of peppermint and eucalyptus... which is heaven! I feel like I am in a spa.
3. With the help of mumsnetters I created a happy cheery spotify playlist, I try and play this most mornings on the way to work...lots of solo karaoke sessions are carried out!
4. I invested in some natural sets of shampoo and conditioner that smell lush and it feels like a treat washing my hair. (I use maui if anyone is interested, purchased from boots!)
5. I used to be so poor with my skincare and now I am obsessed! Spf 40 every day and I have started cleaning and moisturising my skin with natural oils (such as coconut oil, sweet almond, pomegranate oil!)
6. Calamine tea before bed, I purchased a delicious twinings pack with spiced apple, vanilla and passionflowets... yum!

Things I would like to improve on...

1. I am quite lazy and really need to start doing more exercise!
2. Eating healthier and less sugary snacks and desserts
3. Looking for inspiration from this thread!

Thank you for reading and looking forward to seeing your responses =)

Running, reading, sleeping, cooking. Going to the cinema. Planning a trip (even one I can't afford to take).

I live in the scottish highlands. I love walking in the hills outside my door by myself. A short walk past a tourist trail. I can explore for hours and not see anyone else. Because most see the ancient monument at the end of the trial and turn back.
It's just wilderness for miles. With cairns and brochs and standing stones hidden in the landscape. I take my camera and regularly take photos of deer and birds of pray ect. I like to meditate in a valley. Its a sun trap, full of butterflies. I close my eyes and listen to the birds of pray above and the songbirds. The rustle of the reeds on the bog. Trickle of the burn, buzzing of bees ect. I don't have to think about anything, just listen. Bliss.

Video games help me a ton.

Stressed out? Slay the hoards of hell and take your frustration out on them.

Bored? Play something with a deep story that keeps you gripped to the edge of your seat.

Want to relax or wind down? Simple puzzle games, or walking simulation with beautiful landscapes.

Want to exercise your brain? Strategy games where you have to be constantly thinking 10 moves ahead and planing your every move.

Want to exercise your body? A VR headset and a rhythm game is a great workout as well as being fun.

I cycle, it’s a priority of mine and I try and get out 4 or 5 days a week. I sleep so much better the days I cycle.

I go to the gym, do spin, swim and a bit of gym work depending on time.

Jogging for 30 minutes every day.
Listening to Queen's Greatest Hits on the way to and from work every day.
Giving up all refined sugar.

.

Yoga with Adriene on YouTube

An hour every night (or sometimes til im a shrivelled prune) &when DC in bed im the jacuzzi on the deck,overlooking the forest with a pot of chamomile&mint watching my favourite 70s/80s/90s vids on youtube or just listening to silence if its been a busy day..i feel so mellow

Kickboxing. Gives you the boost from exercise but also lets any frustration through. I go to a woman’s only and ages from 30-60. Love it

Swimming. Especially outside once our local lido opens.

Standing in the garden with coffee listening to the birds before DH and DS are up.

My cat.

When i felt myself becoming depressed I started walking my dog loads. I then had more children and less time. So started running and walking the dog. Then I started doing weights. I started wathching my diet. I came off social Media. This was 4 years ago and I'm a lot happier. Oh and cut out diet coke.

Joined a walking club ( am early 40s) and love it, every week I meet new people, I have never walked such distance before so a real challenge every week (average 15 miles). I have lost weight, my legs are really toned and even though at times the walks are challenging, by the time i’ve Finished i get a proper sense of achievement...

I just went away for a night with a friend. DH had all 3 kids and didn't call me once. Just a couple of WhatsApp messages to say everything was OK.

I know that some mums wouldn't like going 24 hours with no contact from their children, but for me, it is important to remember that I am not indispensable, that I am not responsable for everything and that I am a person.

On the Sunday I woke at 5am and spent 2 hours reading, chatting with my friend, drinking a cup of tea and listening to a podcast without hearing the word "mummy" Heaven.

Now I feel much more able to give them what they need from me.

I also play a contact sport which is great, use essential oils and hve my bedroom as empty and tidy as possible so it is always a haven.

Exercise! I do boot camp and hot yoga and both make me feel amazing.

This is going to sound weird, but since we had DD (6) we have acquired a load of LEGO and DH and I play with it more than she does! I came down the other morning to find the fire truck was repairing a puncture for the ice cream van (DH)... We made the Great Hall at Hogwarts over Christmas

I recently returned to running after a long break while I had 2 kids in quick succession. It makes me so happy, I can't believe I stopped for so long. The run itself and the high after has lifted my mood immeasurably.

Yoga. I try and do a bit at home everyday then two classes a week. Playing Witcher 3 on my Xbox, I'm about to finish it for the second time and not sure what I'll do with myself.

I've been learning baby sign language and makaton to communicate with DD. I'm enjoying learning a new skill, it's something I haven't done it ages.

Oh and finding new recipes online and cooking.

Reading
Walking
Bath
Local music recital once a month - 45 mins of bliss for my ears
Praying
Singing

I do want to start yoga

Running
Yoga
Reading a good novel
Crafting
Being in my garden or actually being in nature generally
Spending time with my son, he helps me keep perspective on what matters in life ie he switches me off from thinking about work if I can just keep in the moment with him.

Oh and music, I play the piano and sing, used to sing in choirs and hope to have the time again in a few years.

Knitting and crochet. Requires just enough focus that I cannot ruminate on negative thoughts.

I've changed my attitude towards my handicrafts, too. No need to be embarrassed because I'm not Kaffe Fasset. I used to use old hand-me-down metal needles and hooks from my mum. They were good enough for me. But now I use beautiful needles and hooks, well-engineered and a pleasure to handle. I never used to but anything but the most basic yarns, so as not to waste money. But now I often rummage in remainder boxes for beautiful yarns, and will even buy decent yarn off the shelf.

And at the end I have something beautiful and satisfying. And if not, I just rip back and start again. The journey is as pleasing as the destination.

Yoga.
Spending time at my allotment.
Running (I can’t believe this one, but it’s my number one mood-lifter).
Playing the guitar. I learned a few chords and it’s so much fun (for me. Not for anyone in the immediate vicinity ).
Hot bath with oils.
Walking my dog.
Reading.
Baking.
Just chilling with my lovely new DH.

Oh and I’ve started drawing a bit too.

Getting up early and taking myself to local coffee shop for breakfast - whilst reading, doing a puzzle or MN
Jigsaws or knitting - sometimes whilst watching TV
I decided a few years ago that scrimping on beauty affected my mood adversely so although I don’t spend a fortune (£40 for trim and root touch up) I go every 6 weeks
Same for gel polish every 2 weeks (£20)
Special occasions I also treat myself to eyelash dye and brow shaping
I joined a gym with great pool - sauna - steam rooms - outdoor hot spa pool etc and go at least once a week
Once a week I have a long bath with face pack, deep conditioning hair treatment etc
2-3 hours cleaner every week who will also iron if needed
I’m working on economising enough to be able to afford gardener/diy help in future as it’s not something I enjoy