To ask how you’ve improved your mood?

[Rexasaurus]

Inspired by a thread on here this week where people were saying they were struggling & felt flat I wondered what people have found that’s helped?

I’m trying to pull myself out of the hole and have started listening to music more but I’m at a bit of a loss as to what else to do.

The thread made me feel like I wasn’t alone so was hoping we’d be able to help each other?

Any ideas?

Schools going back!

But that's mainly as I've got myself back in a decent routine . Yoga. Walks with a podcast . Sewing seeds. Planning interiors

Going for a long walk every day. Getting out somewhere beautiful and feeling the sun(when it shines) makes such a difference. I love watching my dog running about, having the time of his life!

I walk 6 miles each day. I contact lots of people I haven't seen in a while, to invite them to join me. Some say yes, some say no / don't reply, and that's ok

Walking in countryside listening to podcasts or 90s indie music.

Outdoor exercise (lots of), healthy food and St John’s Wort

my real treat is a secret box of gorgeous pralines, the sort you'd buy as a gift for someone else, only I buy them for ME!

That's funny GoodAsMyWord! I've been doing something similar. It's been a real lift.

Pre-pandemic & home schooling, wfh, I exercised daily, didn't really drink, largely ate healthily. All the things that should help with low mood.

But especially since Christmas, I've struggled, and really felt low

I've found walking (even restricted to our 5km, as we are in Ireland), puzzles (in the paper, Sudoku, Sugaru, Battleships, anything!), Nexflix (unoriginal but I only got it a few weeks ago & I love it! The variety of things to watch, the ease of breaking up a monotonous task by watching an episode on my phone) & the aforementioned chocolate!

But 2 of my kids went back to school this week. The freedom of 5 uninterrupted hours a day to work, plus a morning & afternoon routine, and happier kids, has increased my happiness by 200%!

A strong routine... who knew? But at 34 I’ve build a solid routine that I feel safe and secure in and seek to be thriving 🤷🏻‍♀️ ... also, coming off of social media which started as a month challenge and now I’m really feeling so much better in my life.

Oh & dancing around the kitchen singing to Amazon music via Alexa. I look insane. But I love the variety of choices I have regarding genre, station, playlist ...

Cycling
High dose vitamin D

Vit D, exercise, gin and jigsaws

Gardening, walking, being out in the fresh air meeting up with my best friend we take a mug of tea and meet in the village socially distance and have a crack. Chocolate. Tonight it is a glossy magazine and some of my Mother’s Day dark chocolates.

Sewing seeds. Loads of different perennials that I am nurturing like they're my babies! I refuse to only use the strongest, all of them have a chance with me
I love watching them grow and keep thinking each one would probably cost £8-10 when fully grown. Hence why I can't discard the runts!
I plan to give some to friends as they won't all fit in my garden.

Oh and wine

Citalopram and fresh air. Mostly citalopram though.

Oooh yes also gin and jigsaws. Make a really lovely meal midweek and a couple of glasses of red wine.

Running outdoors.

How much St John’s Wort is everyone taking? I’m doing 425mg but I’m sure I read it only works at 950mg..?

I gave up booze and feel SO much better. Just overall better.
Agree that Vit D is a miracle.
Menopace is the only thing that stops my perimenopause rage.
I’m generally fine but have been feeling bored lately - that awful kind of boredom you used to get when you were a kid, where you’re too bored to do anything that might actually make you less bored... 😆

Meeting a friend once a week for a walk and coffee.
Reading - I lie on my bed with the dog and a coffee to read.
Baking - I try a new recipe every weekend.
The change in weather- seeing signs of spring.

Take Omega 3's and Vit D daily
Go for regular walks
Listen to Podcasts
Always have a good book on the go

I try and get out for a walk with my boys if I'm feeling deflated, and also I'm trying not to be too hard on myself, yes I may feed my kids fish fingers & chips for tea some nights but I'm ok with that they seem pretty ok with it too
Ohh and Uber eats & alcohol helps too 😉

I started using the Headspace app recently and it’s made a big difference - I’m not exactly happier so much as calmer and more accepting of how things are. I don’t know how long-term any of it will be, but I’ll keep using it for short meditations a couple of times a day, and if I get tired of it, at least I’ll have had a few lovely calm moments out of it.
For happiness, definitely music. Old favourites for singing along.

Yoga and have quit alcohol. Also reading each day is keeping me calm, giving me a relaxing activity.

@tarapinn re seeds, where would be a good place for an absolute beginner to start with this? It really appeals to me!

Lots of vit d love here , will any "brand" do?

Exercise
Drugs
Wine
Fruit
Sleep
Volunteering
Reading
Gin
Giving as much as you can to other people

Running, cycling, cooking, listening to music, I've started playing a musical instrument I used to play in childhood again

Gardening - lots of fresh air
Organised household, relatively clutter free
And a strong routine

Also wine and just good food in general, spicy food I feel helps. Not necessarily unhealthy but just putting effort into tasty meals, plenty of healthy fats and things

But the biggest thing for me has been putting my phone away when I get in from work and actually focusing on things rather than having one eye on the TV one eye on my phone.

Making and drinking pina coladas.
A walk in the sun
Heart dance channel

I know a cat would help massively but Mr doesn't want another since our one died.