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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

366 replies

ethelfleda · 27/10/2019 21:26

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?

OP posts:
TheGlitterFairy · 27/10/2019 21:52

Reading with interest too as feel the same....

twolittleboysonetiredmum · 27/10/2019 21:53

Running!
Spent my teens and twenties drinking excessively, smoking and generally indulging my every whim. Suffered from awful anxiety and felt crap. Started running in mid twenties - have been up and down with intensity due to three children but am late 30s and running more than I ever have. My mental health is the most obvious change, I rarely get down and have a way to deal with stressful times. Am also leaner and fitter than I ever have been. I also make better food and alcohol choices as feel healthy and don’t like to ruin that. But still have room to accommodate a day of eating crap and drinking if I feel inclined. Seriously, running is a life changer

twolittleboysonetiredmum · 27/10/2019 21:54

I’m also a full time teacher and make the time to run three times a week at least. I’d go mad without it now.

Brown76 · 27/10/2019 21:54

Stopping smoking. Having massages. Cutting down on alcohol (not drinking every day).

LesserofTwoWeevils · 27/10/2019 21:55

Running. I feel so much better about my body despite being an old bat.

And I had some blood tests earlier this year and the doctor said the results were brilliant.

It does a lot for my mood too.

Nat6999 · 27/10/2019 21:58

Finding ways to relax my mind, I started doing adult colouring after my later partner passed away, it kept me sane & took my mind off how miserable I felt, this, listening to music & teaching myself to crochet I am sure saved me from a breakdown.

Original poster
ethelfleda · 27/10/2019 22:00

I think mental health is one of my biggest issues. Not hugely overwhelming luckily but the anxiety is kind of always there - and gets worse after a bout of illness. I have just had a nasty water infection and I’ve had so many episodes of a cloudy head and feeling spaced out - almost to the point of panic.
I walked over the get dinner out of the oven earlier and my anxious brain started to make me wonder how awful it would be to be in that oven and to burn to death. Horrible.

OP posts:
IncognitoBurrito · 27/10/2019 22:06

Going gluten free. Turns out I'm coeliac after lots of tests. Years of low energy, aching limbs, foggy head, major anxiety and depression, all gone and improving all the time. I'm 37 and symptoms got markedly worse over the last 5 or so years. Could be a thing for you too?

Neverwouldhave · 27/10/2019 22:06

Honestly, ethel, that's how I felt all of the time until a few days ago when I started keto. The positive effect on my anxiety in such a short space of time is unbelievable.

chockaholic72 · 27/10/2019 22:07

Leaving a toxic CEO (I was her PA) helped massively.

Cycling to work at least three times a week - sometimes I really have to force myself, especially in the winter, but it all disappears as soon as I'm pedalling. It's not a particularly nice commute, and it's from the burbs into the city centre, but it makes my heart sing. I've never got on my bike and thought - I hate doing this. Endorphins are ace :-)

WotchaTalkinBoutWillis · 27/10/2019 22:10

@ethelfleda I walked over the get dinner out of the oven earlier and my anxious brain started to make me wonder how awful it would be to be in that oven and to burn to death. Horrible

Sad As someone who gets anxiety though, I hear you - you'd never in a million years want to do something like that, am I right? Doesn't stop your brain coming up with stupid "what if's" or "do this" scenarios though... I find the trick is to to just see the nasty thoughts as just that, nasty thoughts, and let them slide by and ignore them
Ziraphale · 27/10/2019 22:10

Have you thought about a diet overhaul? Check out the documentary Game Changers on Netflix, it's really good. A lot of the stuff we eat that we think is healthy really, really isn't.

Ylvamoon · 27/10/2019 22:11

Best thing I ever did? Ditched the processed food. We only eat "whole" foods, no additives or a mixed mashed up something (unless I make it myself).
Only have meat / fish twice a week rest is vegetarian or vegan.
To round it all off, I have added daily exercise like swimming, cycling or just walking.
I have more energy and feel so much better in myself! And strangely enough, I spend less on my food shopping.
I have relapsed a few times ... but have paid the price and felt dreadful, almost ill.

My tip is, whatever you choose, do it slowly and make sure it's something you can sustain long term. (That includes everyone in your household.)

Original poster
ethelfleda · 27/10/2019 22:12

Wotcha you’re absolutely correct. It happens to me a lot when I’m anxious. Random thoughts pop in to my head and I live them like they’ve actually happened.
It actually helped me to see them as my poor tired and anxious brain trying (in a very flawed way) to protect me and my loved ones, if that makes sense. Kind of ‘don’t climb in to the oven, it’s dangerous’

OP posts:
Jumbojem · 27/10/2019 22:13

Getting fresh air is a real mood booster for me, I run but also a good walk does wonders for my mood. Vitamin D through the winter and yoga for my aching body and for mental well-being.
I can thoroughly recommend yoga with Adrienne on YouTube, she's very down to earth and has videos specifically for yoga for anxiety.

MargotB7 · 27/10/2019 22:14

Watching with interest. I thought black decaf coffee was good for you so was going to up that unless people know otherwise.

Takingabreakagain · 27/10/2019 22:15

Vit D supplements worked for me too. I take them all year round now and they have made a dramatic change in how I feel.
OP you might want to think about visiting your GP and have some blood tests done for this or other deficiencies.

shearwater · 27/10/2019 22:18

Cutting down on meat - hardly ever eat it now. Of course it depends what you replace it with. I eat some fish, and a lot of veg and pulses.

Cantrememberpassword · 27/10/2019 22:19

You may need to take extra iron, I have to take regular iron supplements, if I do not I go down hill very rapidly and feel lethargic, tired and unable to go out for a walk or do excercise.

Perpetuallyperplexed27 · 27/10/2019 22:19

Following with interest as I feel quite meh too lately. Am making positive changes with my diet and trying to get out for a walk at least once a day - step counter keeps me on track. I really want to try cutting out booze but I never seem to manage it. Seems a great idea on a Monday morning but by a Friday night I'm cracking open a bottle again. You hear a lot of people raving about the benefits of going sober though, might be worth a try if you can stick to it?

Nettleskeins · 27/10/2019 22:20

Vitamin D 2000 iu 25mcg a day. From Morrisons. or Boots.
Thyroxine when diagnosed as hypothyroid.

and yes to Dog Walking too, but i needed the former to do the latter!!!

shearwater · 27/10/2019 22:20

Yes I take Floradix tablets. In spite of a healthy diet, I can be a bit low on iron if I don't take a supplement. Genetic thing.

Nettleskeins · 27/10/2019 22:21

I don't drink much either but tbh I felt better in my 20's when I did Grin

ellsisland · 27/10/2019 22:21

Stopped smoking
Stopped drinking alcohol
Stopped drinking Coca Cola as always makes me feel lethargic
Started drinking lots and lots of water
Started going to bed & waking up at the same time everyday

Original poster
ethelfleda · 27/10/2019 22:22

Watching with interest. I thought black decaf coffee was good for you so was going to up that unless people know otherwise

I’m not sure it’s quite that simple really. It’s obviously healthier without sugar and milk.
But small amounts of caffeine are supposed to be good for you I think? And because it’s caffeine in plant form (and not red bull) there are extra nutrients in there. AFAIK, 1 - 3 cups of decent quality coffee a day is supposed to be ok 🤷‍♀️

OP posts: