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?

@nrpmum isn’t it! I didn’t know I was ill. Such a relief to know why I’d lost all love for everything in life. It’s subtle but savage isn’t it.

Drinking smoothies has helped. Mentally, I have had a massive declutter of the house and reduced my clothes down to a chest of draws and bedside table (for underwear only). I also bought an at home ear cleaner for £5ish and it really has helped with my hearing and generally not feeling as groggy and blocked up. Oh and I use the sweat with kayla app for £15 a month to help track my workouts. I did quit for a bit due to pregnancy and feeling that I could find free workouts online but I just wasnt as motivated without the tracking. Those talking about bed sharing are right to as I have a 14 month old who has brought back a world of colds from nursery so we have had lots of co sleeping nights. I have slept less hours and lighter, waking regularly with her in there. After a few weeks I am struggling with the lack of decent deep sleep.

Well I definitely found that prioritising sleep for a while has helped!
As has a restricted eating window, oddly.
I’ve been listening to health podcasts for inspiration too - Dr Chatterjee has some great ones to listen to.

I lost 2 stone.

Cycling to work. 80 miles a week, lost 2 stone rapidly and kept it off and saved loads on tube even given cost of bike etc.

Gave up alcohol completely went while food plant based

I didn't eat unless I was hungry, so if I had had a big lunch and was still full later I wouldn't have dinner also.

Divorcing my husband, I suffered from horrific ibs when I was with him, at least 3 or 4 times a week I would end up in the bathroom, on the toilet with the most awful stomach cramps & being sick. From the day I left him it has never happened again.

For my health, taking my own coffee cup to meetings with clients, using antibac gel after shaking hands or using their loos and hand washing and not touching my face when visiting clients. Sounds odd but I kept coming down with tonsillitis, uvulitis, colds etc and put it down to poor hygiene in my clients' work areas and tea bars.

I also took up running to off set the amount of time I spent sitting due to travelling to meetings and sitting in meetings and travelling home from meetings, sitting

Making time for “ me “ every day , whether its a run , a walk, reading something , or just lying on my bed for 20 minutes quiet time no tv / phone / radio / kids.
One cant pour from an empty jug 😊

Just checking in given that this awesome thread was all pre-Covid. Loving SophiaLarsons somewhat prophetic offering two posts before this one! How has everyone's self-care changed now?

Yoga. Amazing difference, energy, mood, strength, assertiveness even. My skin looks glowier and I look healthier too. I started with one session a week but it's quite addictive so I'm doing more and more.

@Wanderer1

Got a dog. Obviously not the owning of a dog that is key but it's the walking. I've had him two weeks and already I feel in a better mood, have lost weight, and I just have more energy and enthusiasm. He's a collie so I'm doing 90-120 minutes a day with him. I think 90% of the effects are from being outside more though.

There was a paper published recently by NICE that said that spending time exercising outdoor was more effective at mood enhancement than all but one NHS prescription antidepressant.
So I'm guessing it's having mood lightening effects on me!

Also Co Q10 supplement. Recommend.

Totally agree. I also walk around 2 hours a day with my dogs sometimes more and it’s so beneficial. Used to drive myself insane at the gym exercising staring at a fucking wall. Now I go outside and we walk for miles feel amazing.

Stop drinking alcohol biggest for me.

Have you had your iron checked? Symptoms similar to anemia

X

I had 90% of my stomach removed recently

I'm now going to live forever, I'm gonna learn how to fly ..... HIGH

Plus obviously all the dogs. Dogs are great.