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?

For everyone saying Vit D supplements, I take a multi vitamin, it has vit D in it, is that enough?

I had to go on a course from the drs then they recommenced I take it as a stand alone vitman

Making time for relaxing. Like formal relaxation exercises and mindfulness.

Ditching the car and walking everywhere. The physical benefits obviously, but it's not until I stopped driving (except to go and do shopping and week-ends when required) how much it impacted on my mood. The constant frustration of traffic, lights that change red just as you to it, people who have become lazy drivers, don't indicate anymore, cut you off, drive too fast or too slow.

The other day, I was walking as it was raining and I could tell drivers stuck in traffic were looking at me feeling sorry for me, when I was thinking that I actually enjoyed that walk in the rain (all wrapped up so not getting wet) and felt sorry for them, stuck in that traffic, going slower than me!

Surprised that nobody else has mentioned this- meditation. It has been a life saver for me ( not literally ) and I listen to Dauchsy meditation on YouTube.

Running! Physical and mental benefits. I've recently had to stop due to injury and I've noticed a massive difference mentally. One thing I've discovered over the years, no matter how tired, stressed or demotivated I feel, you always feel better after a run.
I'm interested in vitamin D - my GP has just prescribed this for 6 months as my levels are low and I must admit I have felt exhausted lately. I'm hoping the Vit D gives me a boost.

What exactly do you do? At gym or at home? Thanks

Taking up exercise.

Going to the gym every morning at 6 am

Quit smoking in 2012.
And more recently lost 17kg after second pregnancy. Im now 8kg lighter than before i was ever pregnant and feel better than ever.

Great thread.

I’ve stopped smoking, meditate daily, started moving and cut out gluten.

May try vitamin d.

Exercise

Looks like you're already doing well in the physical side OP. Maybe try some counselling or journaling. Don't mean to sound woo but unprocessed emotions can really wear you down...could that be possible?

Swimming and yoga. I have back issues and was constantly dosed up on painkillers before.

Started riding dds pony and started a bit of kayaking with the dcs. I also feel brilliant if I have had a couple of hours on our allotment.

Like others have said I think it's the combination of being outdoors in all weathers, doing something physical and doing something I enjoy.

Another knock on impact of the above is I don't spend as much time browsing social media and the internet. Which I think has it's own positives.

I have also reduced alcohol consumption. And I feel much better physically for not eating the wine induced takeaway.

It sounds trite and twee but I think a wholesome diet and lifestyle has massive benefits.

Dd who is 15 has also embraced watersports this year. She does dragonboating and kayaking. Her mental health is much better, she's not half as stressy, she's eating much better. She is more confident and less likely to be a moody teen though we still do get the odd flounce.

Spend some time outside every day for a few weeks. Go for a walk or a run, join a team sport, go geocaching or even hunt pokemon. Whatever you fancy. Just do something.

Get checked by your GP.

For me, exercise changed my life.

Picking up vit d on way to work after all the recommendations

Spin....

It’s amazing, do 4/5 classes a week & it’s great for menopause as helps with sleeping, hot flushes, weight,

Getting off my bum and exercising. I thought I was pretty active but have found a new love of hiit cardio and weight training.

My mental health has improved so much.

Get some blood tests - Anaemia, low Vit D, low B12 and low Thyroid could all lead to similar symptoms.

(Vitamin D is probably low as we go into winter anyway.)

Gave up alcohol. Best thing I ever did health wise - both physically and mentally.

Frouby

My dd2 was competing in sport and training 16/18 hours a week. Enforced stop and the difference in her teenage behaviour was unbelievable ☹️😥

After that I realised that if exercise affect teenage hormones in a good way then it would surely have the same effect in menopausal hormones

I was already exercising but have upped my game, I have friends constantly telling me I’ll find out what the menopause is like - I haven’t got the heart to tell them I haven’t had a period in 5years

This is a really interesting thread. I also get anxious and have a massively unhealthy lifestyle - too much caffeine to get me going in the mornings, unhealthy binge eating/ fastfood on the go, and alcohol every day to switch off when I am most anxious in the evenings. No exercise, always tired.

I quit alcohol other than occasionally a couple of months back and that has helped but so much more to fix.

Gardening has helped too this summer. Feel very positive being outside and watching things grow.

Still overweight though and unhealthy so have been trying to work out whether to quit diet coke, go on a diet or boost exercise as my next step!

Don't drink alcohol. No caffeinated drinks after noon. This has had a massive positive effect on my ability to sleep at night, which has a knock on effect throughout the whole day. And any caffeine will fuel your anxiety.

Daily yoga.

Cutting out meat and dairy as well but for immediate impact, yoga.

Proper exercise 3x a week. And good quality sleep