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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:
bossybloss · 28/10/2019 08:04

A bit of all the above ! I(I know you only asked for one )
Walking regularly , cooking most meals from scratch , eating more fruit and veg,cutting down on bread .sugar and alcohol !

Spied · 28/10/2019 08:05

Gave up alcohol.
Also started being mindful and use the calm app.

amysaurus87 · 28/10/2019 08:05

Sounds really silly, but I stopped having my phone in the bedroom. Its left downstairs over night, stops me playing candy crush at 3am when LB wakes for a feed! Doing this has massively improved my ability to get back to sleep after the night feed. I have a Alexa for my morning alarm.

That and walking! It's so lovely when its crisp and cold, a nice walk with my little one blows all the cobwebs out!

NewName73 · 28/10/2019 08:08
  1. HRT
  2. Joining a running club.

(sorry that's 2, but you may not be the HRT age yet ...)

OhDeari · 28/10/2019 08:09

Yoga, Pilates, exercise in general, reducing alcohol, reflexology. Organising home so that it is clean and uncluttered. Early to bed. Water, regular meals.

inthekitchensink · 28/10/2019 08:10

Vit d, b complex, magnesium
Most of carbs from fruit & veg
Cut down alcohol and swap wine for vodka & soda water
Lots of water
Cut out sugar
Walk outside in nature every day

EssentialHummus · 28/10/2019 08:11

Routine for me, so I don't depend so much on willpower - I know that certain days are my "5:2 days", I have an auto-order for online shopping to minimise temptation, I've outsourced what I can so it doesn't take brainpower, I generally eat repetitively. Some people would find it boring or stifling but it works for me.

Other things: gardening with headphones on when the weather allows, reaching out to new people and widening my social circle which has been wonderful for my mental health.

stayathomegardener · 28/10/2019 08:13

@Puta totally agree we are basically plants with emotions.

Controversial maybe but go outside, get sunrise, sunset and anything you can in between, avoid blue light on skin and eyes. Eat low carb natural food and everything else falls into place.

I had fibromyalgia and CFS for years.

Original poster
ethelfleda · 28/10/2019 08:14

This thread is really inspiring
Can I ask - how do people make time for exercise?

OP posts:
NoIDontWatchLoveIsland · 28/10/2019 08:14

Honestly you may disagree but I find that I sleep very lightly when I have a child in my bed. I can only assume this is natures way of protecting the child and ensuring I am easily woken - but it means if I do this a few days on the trot, I am very tired generally. If you don't want/can't get your toddler into his own bed, can your DH alternate nights with so you can get a night of deeper sleep?

LolaSmiles · 28/10/2019 08:18

I did couch to 5k so did a little bit 3 times a week whilst DH cooked tea. DH has always done exercise so he understood. Between the two of us we both have time for hobbies and consider it important m

WalkofShame · 28/10/2019 08:20

Can I ask - how do people make time for exercise?

I get up at 5.30

easyandy101 · 28/10/2019 08:21

Giving up a 40 a day habit

I was also teetotal from 21 to 35 which i imagine had a very positive effect

Even as a smoker i used to do alot of exercise so although i think it's made a very big contribution to my health i think the other 2 were more important

HappyHarlot · 28/10/2019 08:21

Changing my job. The reduced stress levels and better work/life balance have made me feel human again. I'm sleeping and eating better too.

Duvetday8 · 28/10/2019 08:22

Running

easyandy101 · 28/10/2019 08:22

Can I ask - how do people make time for exercise?

I do it after work and don't go home before i do

I don't have kids though

NoIDontWatchLoveIsland · 28/10/2019 08:24

Nb currently have newborn who doesnt nap long, but I used to do an exercise DVD at home while toddler napped, or ride on my bike on turbo trainer in garage during naps or in the evening after he had gone to bed

Beautiful3 · 28/10/2019 08:25

I was tired all of the time and decided to completely stop tea and coffee in January. I haven't touched it since. It's been a real life changer. I'm now never ever tired. I now get up an hour earlier every morning naturally.

Purplecatshopaholic · 28/10/2019 08:25

Ooh a range of things including walking my dog and taking supplements, but the single biggest thing was giving up alcohol - lost weight and feel great - it’s changed my life!

Runningonempty84 · 28/10/2019 08:26
  1. Running. I have two kids and work FT, so during the week I run on lunch breaks or after they're in bed. Parkrun Saturday, long run Sunday. I tend to do 30-40 miles a week. More during marathon training.
  1. Giving up alcohol, completely
  1. Cycling to work. This is mainly about mental health, as I'm so much less stressed now I have control over how long my commute takes. Unexpected traffic or public transport cancellations no longer affect me.
Beautiful3 · 28/10/2019 08:27

Forgot to say I also gave up alcohol.

Marmelised · 28/10/2019 08:30

Light therapy lamp every morning for 30 mins plus vitamin d
Lamp recommended by my doctor when I thought vit d had fallen low again. I was sceptical but saw results within one week.

Also, sleep with feet raised- helps blood flow. Another one I wouldn’t have believed but does make a difference

Pinkarsedfly · 28/10/2019 08:32

Bought a Fitbit.

I need accountability, and I’m competitive with myself, so I got strict about doing my 10K steps.

After about six months, I randomly decided to try breaking into a run to see if I’d got any fitter due to all the walking. Miraculously, I had. I ran a lot further than I thought I could. Not far, but far enough to surprise me, iykwim.

That led to me starting C25K, and since then I’ve done a 10K, and run two to three times a week.

I ran 5 miles, yesterday morning, came home, went to the supermarket and cooked Sunday lunch for five. I’d have laughed if you’d told me I could do that four years ago.

I’ve also done yoga for the last two years or so, which has helped my strength, balance and flexibility, and got rid of my lower back pain.

Boysey45 · 28/10/2019 08:32

Stopped smoking weed years ago.
Stopped smoking cigs properly 9 years ago.Before that I said I'd stopped but still smoked on nights out.I'd say it took me 8 years to stop properly. I was a smoker from age, 12/13- 41.
I don't drink alcohol so that's not an issue for me.

Nearlyalmost50 · 28/10/2019 08:34

Perhaps an odd one but: Washed my hands more (and got the rest of the family to do the same). Can't avoid coming into contact with germs in the winter months, but I was getting every cough and cold going. I wash them after the loo (obviously, but a proper full on wash) but also before meals and food prep and if coming in from work (which is full of buggy students) .

The year I started I got one cold- all year! Couldn't believe it. Have kept it up and get one, max two a year and they are short lived usually.

Use decongestant spray ifor that one/two colds (Otrivine). Never had it as a child and couldn't sleep for being stuffed up- now can breathe, take paracetemol, don't feel that bad.

These two things have revolutionized my colds! I used to feel miserable for quite a lot of weeks of winter and even in the summer, now I rarely feel really bad with a virus.