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 =)

I also forgot another one!

I have been taking star flower and primrose oil tablets daily! I have terrible pms and it is supposed to help... I will let you know how I get on =)

This is a lovely thread. Placemarking as I don't do enough things just for me. Little things I do that help are listening to my fave songs on Alexa full blast when everyone is out, getting up early and having my green tea and muesli before everyone is up, also sometimes going to bed early after changing the sheets and snuggling down with short stories on my Kindle. Not very exciting but hope to do more as my kids get older!

I try to get a regular massage, about once every 3 weeks. To keep costs down I mix up where I go (sometimes I get a student from the massage course in the next city for a tenner). When I struggled with anxiety I think it helped re-teach my body how to relax, and although it doesn't cure my depression I think it helps keep me balanced! I also love yoga, but the massage is a massive treat.

Sneaking in to steal ideas

Sat in my car eating my lunch and ahh it's so peaceful!

It's the little things too that help =)

Investing in an essential oil diffuser and incense has been great for me too! Likewise treating myself to something new from lush to restock every now and then - a little goes such a long way. I subscribed to my favourite magazine too and a vegan lifestyle subscription. They really lift me up when they arrive, especially if I get back to them after a long day
Amazing idea with the plug and essential oils in the shower.
Glad you’re taking care of yourself, it’s so important

Audible and walking the dog :)

I've come home, kissed the dc, washed my hands, brushed my hair, changed to shorts, and am now sitting in the back garden with a cup of tea...decompressing. The dc know to leave me alone for 10-20minutes.

Bonaccord- your hot tub hour sounds divine.

I read. I read doing everything-hoovering, pushing the baby in the buggy when he's sleeping, doing my physio, cooking....everything!
I put Epsom salts in a bath and stay in there for an hour. Reading, obvs!
I walk a lot.
I run a local Kindness Page and fundraise for charity. Also run a group for single parents. Doing nice things makes me happy!

I'm very lucky to live near lots of lovely walks in the countryside. I try to go on at least one each week after work, as well as a big long one at the weekend.

I also read the newspaper every day, rather than my phone. In an age of instant news, I often know the headlines are out of date, but its nice to spend half an hour or so doing it, especially because it allows me to totally disengage with my phone.

Good luck with the mindfulness! I found Headspace a really good way to be that bit less anxious

My cats, Fortnums Smoked Earl Grey tea, rereading Georgette Heyer novels, starting or finishing a stitch project, almond croissants, classical music and seeing the woodpeckers in the garden.

Forgot...putting on a pair of brand new socks.

Oh I also buy a bouquet of flowers for my kitchen every second week or so, just a cheap one but it brightens up my day!

And a clean organized house gives me no end of happiness.

Nip&fab extreme liquid glow - sorted out some incredibly stubborn acne that had been getting me seriously down. I haven’t looked back for months!

A walk every lunchtime- however stressful my work day is, even a quick walk has made me feel brighter and more accomplished

Listening to a podcast with dp before bed has really improved our relationship. We have more to laugh and talk about

I second the nice-smelling shower products :) (I use a lovely Aesop one it’s my daily treat)

Limiting social media scrolling

Crying (It helps at times )
Praying
Reading
Spending time with dog .
Going out either with dd or dh and dog .
Dd plays piano to help .

Forgot to add I do crafts .
At the moment knitting hats for charity.
Recently sent a box of 60 to be distributed .
Dd and I enjoyed putting them into bundles of colour and size and tying them up with ribbon .

Lately, I don't do nearly enough for myself, other than my mindless screen scrolling. Bookmarking for future inspiration. I used to love to read and try our new recipes. I used to set myself a challenge. .. eg. walk the Cotswold Way, broke it into sections and felt such a sense of achievement when I had finished.
With stress, depression, weight gain and house renovations any meaningful activity has recently stopped. This thread has inspired me to get back on track.

I’ve had more than one nervous breakdown so I feel I’m qualified to post on this thread.

• I have a folder called ‘self care’, and in it I have a number of self- help sheets covering everything from distorted styles of thinking to dealing with panic attacks.
• knitting, currently making squares for a blanket
• yoga
• Meditation app (I use Stop, breathe, think)
• doing a foot bath and foot scrub
• gardening both indoor and outdoor
• snuggling up under my heated throw
• lighting a White Company candle (or any candle really)
• a few drops of mandarin oil inhaled on a tissue is v calming
• watching ASMR videos on YouTube
• going for a walk or drive in the countryside or to the sea

My number one tip though is the following:

If you find your mind worrying, ask yourself this:

IS THIS FACT OR OPINION?

If it’s an opinion- either someone else’s or even your own opinion if it’s affecting you- BIN IT.

I am also lucky enough to live less than ten minutes from the beach and really enjoy a walk, even if it's just an hour.

I find if I go to bed early and get up early my MH is always improved so I try to do 10 - 6 or thereabouts.

No alcohol, no smoking. Getting plenty of fresh veg and losing weight slowly without any real effort.

I think I will get some headphones and try one of the mindfulness apps.

Another one who sticks to a fairly rigid skincare routine which helps me feel I am taking care of myself.

hp37 any recommendations of any podcasts that you enjoy? I really like that idea!!!

What's an ASMR video and why is it good?

I started learning the violin. Have always wanted to. Absolutely love it.

faw2009 I’d love to learn violin but I’m not sure the neighbours would appreciate it!