To ask what small things you have done to improve your every day life?

[Tiredandtense]

With the way everything is, I have been feeling extra stressed. For context I have a long term health condition and anxiety (both of which I am treated for).

I'm also finding being back in the office (3 days a week) exhausting so I'd like to ask if there are small things you have done (especially from home) that have improved your day to day life? I have been making a conscious effort to spend a lot less time on my phone, and especially Instagram/Facebook.

Love to hear your tips.

I don't go to things unless I really want to.

Weddings, engagements, baby showers, birthday parties, fund raisers charity events, any occasion/function to socialise, I do not feel obligated to attend unless I really, really want to go.

Place marking

Enjoying my freshly brewed coffee for 10 mins every morning in the sunshine of the conservatory. It's absolute bliss, gives me the breathing space to start my day.

I don't stay up late now and wake up the same time every morning.

Go for a walk every day. I find walking in the woods has the biggest impact if you have a park/countryside nearby.

Honestly, it makes sooo much difference to my stress levels.

Hope you feel better soon .

I no longer do anything that isn't necessary, fun or relaxing.
I got clothes that suit all types of weather and never wait for a nice day to go places.
I give more time to my friends and prioritise them.

A pair of apple airpods (but any brand will do really!). I have found that listening to podcasts and audiobooks really helps with my anxiety and having decent headphones with no wires trailing all over the place makes it all much easier.

Give up alcohol. Life-changing.

Anything that's going to take less than two minutes - just do it.

Meals from Cook when you just cba.

Be kind to yourself - you're worth it. Whether it's time to yourself, meals out with friends or having hair / nails done, the mental benefit is worth whatever the cost.

Cuppa outside every day. In garden, walking, shopping or meeting a mate - outside makes all the difference.

I have made 3 changes in the last 3 years (one at a time but have kept them all up and now they are just part of my life) that have dramatically changed my daily life:

I have given up all forms of social media.

I exercise everyday, run or gym most days - even if it's just a 15min power run.

I have stopped eating heavily processed food.

I feel so much better, psychologically, physically and emotionally.

Stop doing voluntary things that you don't want to do.
Stop saying yes to things 'friends' ask you to do that makes their life easier and adds more shite to yours.
Stop catering family get togethers. If people want to get together then every single person can bring a contribution and help to clear up afterwards. Or ,better still, book a table at a restaurant and everyone pays for exactly what they have had.
Say no to events you don't want to attend. If you like the person then take them out for lunch another time. If you dont actually like them then just politely say " thank you so much but I won't be able to attend. Hope you have a lovely day" and move on.
Don't buy cards/ birthday presents/ lunches for people who never match the effort when it comes to your birthday.

Audio books. Fabulous relaxation and escapism.

I work 3 days over 5 so have short days, so things don’t get left or pile up in my inbox too long…. (Also have anxiety and additional condition)

make sure I write out what the kids have this week so we know what kits is needed when rather than on a day by day basis as kept missing random school changing of pe days, trip deadlines etc

have 5 minutes peace to drink the first coffee of the day.

I avoid the news. And social media. I feel much happier and I don't think I miss out. If I want to read something interesting, I read theconversation.com which is vaguely news related, but written by academics and not full of scare stories. There are also other interesting bits like the latest dinosaur findings.

Finally ditched a toxic 'friend' - my life has improved massively

setting a healthy bedtime and actually sticking to it, even if it means watching the rest of a programme the next day.

my whole outlook on life has improved just from being properly rested for the first time in my adult life

Sort your wardrobe out. Be honest about your size,shape,age,job. If your clothes no longer fit, and you are not on a serious programme of weight loss and exercise, they are taking up space and are useless to you. Try everything on. Put aside anything you definitely don't wear. Look at what you have that still fits and what gaps you now have.Fill those gaps when you can afford to.
Put everything in your wardrobe with the hook of the hanger pointing outwards. When you wear the item and put it back turn the hook inwards.After 6 months look at the hooks. Any that still face outwards have not been worn once. They need to go. You havent worn them.
Put out what you are wearing the night before. Only having things you can actually wear and knowing what you are going to wear each work day makes things so much easier.

Do not live in the past.
Do not worry about the future,we cannot change one or know the other.
Living in the immediate now is brilliant.

Also,counting blessings.
Instead of oh gosh I've got to clean the car,do the ironing and cook dinner,think I'm lucky to have a car to clean,clothes to wear,somewhere to wash them and food that I can afford to buy and cook.

It really does help.
🌈🌈🌈

The playlist I have. Gives me energy and the fighting spirit.

Two things that helped me with depression in the past:
Get off social media (incl. mumsnet).
Keep a ‘diary’ where I write down 3 positive things that happened today, no matter how trivial or seemingly minor they were, or how shit the day was overall. I don’t even really read it back just helps to end the day thinking of good things and get in the habit of looking for the positives in life.
Also meditation mindfulness though that takes a bit more time and effort.

Stopped drinking alcohol
Drinking more water each day
Spending time outside, walking or in the garden

This. Also music that makes you feel calm at the end of the day or at lunchtime when your morning has been a giant shit-cano . Listen and breathe and release your shoulders. Drink water, eat good things and dump the things that don't matter. Leave time to tackle the stuff that does.

I have a long commute and listening to audio books has been amazing- I look forward to the journey now.

Also forcing myself to take a lunch break instead of working through- even tho it’s only 20 minutes. Enough time to get out of the work space and eat.

Stay off booze and fags. Makes your skin look crap, gives you a fuzzy brain. Dump it and do something brilliant with your evening.

Decluttered my clothes. Makes such a difference when the drawers aren't rammed with clothes you don't want to wear and youre no longer wading through them to find something you like/fits/doesnt make you look hideous (delete as appropriate!)