What’s the one single change you made that most benefited your health?

[ethelfleda]

I feel rubbish all the time lately. Lethargic and wound up etc. I’m sure I need more sleep, more exercise, less sugar and less caffeine etc but I’m not feeling particularly motivated!
What is the one single thing you’ve done that has made the biggest positive impact on your health or wellbeing?

I recovered being really ill and I was always depressed I quit alcohol having drunk heavily for 17 years I made George best look tea total I now have 5 shih Tzu's will get another in the new year walking and being out is the best medicine as are the dogs they are a reason to get up and live

Stopped smoking 15 years ago.

More recently I forced myself to get into the habit of exercising, I never wanted to and always thought of reasons to cancel a class. But once I found something I enjoyed doing it was so much less of a chore and now I feel really lost if I go too long without exercising. It’s had an enormous impact on my mental health and on my sleep.

Learning to stand up for myself, not in an aggressive manner in anyway, just an overall not putting up with any crap type of way.
I used to constantly overthink,worry,etc .

Ditch the coffee and consider dropping gluten from your diet and seeing if you notice a difference in energy levels.

I also get very tired if my iron is low so find having Spatone helps me feel better and when I run out I notice so fast!

Kazzie I’ve just ordered a h pylori test of the back of your post. My rosacea symptoms started 20 off years ago with terrible stomach pains that I was told was the start of a stomach ulcer. I was prescribed Zantac and suddenly my skin started flushing regularly. I have a feeling I did a test years and years ago but I’m going to do another one just to rule it out.

I quit drinking alcohol and smoking. Giving up alcohol was hugely beneficial, smoking almost as much.

For me it's sleep and running too.

A few years ago I felt tired constantly so just decided to prioritise sleep, and now it's a habit to be in bed by 9.30/10 except on the rare occasions I go out. It makes everything easier to cope with.

I did a beginners' running programme (similar to Couch25k) about 8/9 years ago and have run on and off since then. I was completely unfit and had always been non-sporty before then, but it changed my views on fitness. Now I always do something at least 3 times a week, even if I don't run, I'll go for a long walk or go swimming instead, which would never have been a priority for me before. I feel loads better for it, but also, especially when I run regularly, I feel more confident and happy, and it's something I know will make me feel better if I'm having a bad day, stressful time at work, etc. I also go to my local parkrun whenever I can. It's not just the exercise but also the headspace and being outdoors. I have had a few MH issues over the years and running has really helped me cope.

Definitely quitting alcohol. I stopped for 7 years then started again about a year ago to try to deal with the stress in my life ( it didn’t work, just caused major worry for my family & me to gain 2 stone). I quit again a fortnight ago & although it’s not easy, I already feel much better.
Another amazing thing for my health was karate. Seriously never been fitter in my life! I should really start that again as now I do no exercise at all.

Gave up smoking many years ago, when I used to smoke 40 a day. Good luck with your efforts! I started playing Pokemon Go, it makes walking in towns/cities more interesting, so I'm a bit more active. I never thought I'd get into anything like that, but it's great- would recommend!

Prioritising sex is a big one for me. I don’t have a naturally very high libido but I do find that when I make the effort to have more sex with DH, not only is our relationship closer but I also sleep better and find that my general mood is better. Tricky with a 2 yr old in your bed though, I guess!

Stopped dieting

I'd recommend couch to 5 k. Download app also twice a week I take over the counter sleepeaze tablets which gives me a deeper sleep. I've always been a very tired person I could sleep 24/7 and I will still be tired but in 3rd week of couch y 5k and feeling much more upbeat and enthusiastic still tired but not as exhausted!!

snoopiij that's amazing physical recovery and inspiring 17 years!

Two things. Discovered homeopathy and gave up sugar. It took many years to get to the second though! Both hugely helpful and transformed how I feel.

At the tender age of 26 i started drinking coffee (I had moved from from a very high pressure job, to a very relaxed job and was falling asleep at my desk)

In a week, i went from a great sleeper, natural early riser to a grumpy lethargic mess who struggled to sleep even if i had had a coffee that morning last.

It tool 3-5 days after stopping to return to normal patterns. Coffee doesn't give you energy, it just borrows energy from other parts of the day.

I recommend switching to decaf 100% for a couple of weeks (expect to feel worse for a few days) and spending more time outside in daylight.

Stopped taking the Pill.

Exercise, of the sweat running down the face variety, including weight lifting.

I was desperately unfit, exhausted, anxious, weak, in pain and a total mess until I decided to go to the gym and really challenge myself.

Stuff like a cleaner diet, taking supps and spending more time looking after my body in terms of moisturising, hair care, painting nails, came naturally as I started feeling better about myself.

I'm now off high blood pressure meds and painkillers. Rarely get headaches (which were tension related). I feel exactly like my user name.

Getting divorced!

Stopped trying to please someone else who was never satisfied and didn’t like me looking good or getting out on my own.

Joined a running and a cycling club, got fitter, grew my hair how I wanted it and gained independence!

Good luck with whatever you decide to go for. Just make sure it is for you! I learnt that I was better for my kids if I was happier with myself and you need to look after you xx

Stopped hormonal contraceptives
Went Vegan, giving up dairy makes me feel so much healthier!
More sleep

Exercise. Running when possible but even carving out just 30 minutes for myself to do some exercise at home while the kids are occupied makes a world of difference to my mental health. I notice it when I'm not active - my mood isn't as good and I crave more food that isn't good for me than I do when I'm active.

Definitely getting back into regular exercise.

More energy, better mental health, and weight loss.

CBT sessions really helped me to deal with my low self esteem.
Giving up alcohol 3 years ago has definitely helped - I would highly recommend the Allen Carr book for anyone wanting to do this...in fact even if you don’t want to do it, you will after reading the book!

www.amazon.co.uk/Easy-Way-Women-Stop-Drinking/dp/1785991930/ref=mp_s_a_1_5?keywords=allen+carr+stop+drinking&sprefix=allen+carr&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&qid=1572376619&sr=8-5

I also stopped eating gluten & dairy and tried to cut down on sugar. There is a massive link between mind and gut.

I felt very similar & all the tests came back fine so I’ve just done it through trial & error by cutting out different things to see what made me feel better.

Years ago I gave up coffee after a 3-4 cup of filter a day habit. I had a headache for 10 days straight. Now, if I have a coffee when I haven't eaten enough it makes me feel horribly anxious & lethargic, once the jitters have passed.

To those recommending vit d, apparently in Ireland / uk / northern Europe, we never get enough, even in the summer, due to the latitude. It seems we - especially children - should always be supplementing.
OP, I would recommend going to your gp for bloods incl. Iron, b12, thyroid, to check for any deficiencies before embarking on any particular dietary changes. That way you'll know if you should start supplementing something that you may be removing. For eg. if you're going to ditch fortified bread, you may need to add in a vitamin complex. Cutting out refined sugar/carbohydrate & processed food can only be a good thing in my humble opinion.

Getting vitamin B12 shots from my gp . Was so tired it was awful. I now feel so much better I can go through the day with a nap. Also taking vitamin D. I’ve also found seeing a therapist helpful as it helps me untangle my thoughts and having the support of someone independent from my family and friends.