What small things have you done to improve your mental health?

[C1239]

Things seem quite stressful in general for lots of people at the moment. Just wondering what small things people have done to try and improve their mental health and if it’s made an improvement for you?

Walking with baby dd either in her pram or carrier to a coffee shop or even the naice pub at the end of the village. People always comment on her and want to engage in conversation about their kids or grandkids or whatever. A nice 5 min bit of small talk about how cute she is whilst sipping a coffee or if it’s a Thursday or a Friday maybe a cheeky small wine is really nice and I have changed my opinion on ‘small talk’ and realised most people aren’t being annoying busibodies they just want a bit of connection, inane chat can actually be ok, lol.

Also having a coffee in bed first thing and reading mumsnet or a quick look on Reddit or whatever, instead of trying to always get that extra 15 mins of sleep or snoozing the alarm constantly gets my day off to a good start. Additionally making the bed and buying a couple of nice throw cushions and a wooly blanket to go over the duvet (nothing fancy just b&m/Sainsburys) makes the room look lovely and makes me feel organised.

No tv, news etc.
Staying clear of negative people
Concentrating on my home,.pets and garden,.which brings me alot of joy and peace.
Making self care a priority.

I find this helps me too. Being with young children helps as well as being out in the fresh air.

Meant to say I walk with dd 3 times a week, I don’t always get a coffee or a drink because that would be like 8 pounds a week ish which adds up but sometimes I just walk to the park with a flask of coffee or just pound the pavement. It’s nice to walk with no where to be or a time to be back for.

Stopped looking at Instagram and Facebook.

Stopped eating too much chocolate and junk food.

Joined a gym and try to swim or do weights at least twice a week.

Try to read more than staring at phone/tv.

I stopped watching the news during covid, and I’ve stuck with it.

Sport

Exercise regularly
Spend more time with positive people
Don't spend time angsting about people who aren't worth my time
Improve my self talk
Get plenty of rest
Always have something to look forward to
Try to accomplish tasks promptly so they're not hanging over me
When I'm feeling stressed do something to relax me - for me that's pampering - like having a massage or a sauna.

Joined a gym and focusing on strength training. Also being mindful - I have a habit of experiencing intrusive thoughts - I try and not let them in by sort of envisaging them floating past iyswim?

Accept help. I struggled with lots of things not because I was a martyr but I just didn't want to bother anyone, thought it was all my responsibility, didn't want to feel like I wasn't coping. I now accept offers of help and ask for it when I need it.

Cold showers and the occasional cold sea swim. I known it sounds crazy but it is really very good.

Meditation and yoga
Self awareness

Go for a nice brisk walk after dinner every night, rain or shine.
That way if l haven't been very active (desk job) at least l have done something.
Sure it helps me sleep better too.

Every time l go to the supermarket, l buy something for the foodbank bin - makes me feel like l might be helping out someone in a tiny way.

Accepted that some days are just not as good as others!

Put my phone on charge downstairs at 10.30 and go to bed and read

Gave up alcohol

Gave up cigarettes

Gave up social media

Say no to what I don't/can't do.

Joined a ladies fitness class that targets mental health

Accepting that I'm enough (this can be hard sometimes)

Accepted I need anti depressants / anti anxiety drugs forever

Gave up social media
gave up news
turn all alerts off on ohone
get rid of emails
basically get rid of as much of the endless crap crying for my attention as possible, none of which seems worthwhile looking at.

now I read books like other pps. There’s something so lovely about a proper book.
and you’re in control! No adverts and flashing review this what do you rate this utter bollocks!

stopped using Facebook.

cut out troublemakers and toxic people from my life.

Made a conscious effort to talk to new people which has restored my faith in human nature.

Tried to see the world through my DCs eyes. My DC love looking at bugs and taking in natural beauty generally. It has made me appreciate the little things more.

Allowed myself to have down time and tried to ignore any guilty feelings about it.

Getting a good nights sleep.

Adding healthier foods to my diet.

Going for walks.

Taking time to listen to my favourite music or watching my favourite TV programme.

Focusing on just my DC, DH and myself for a bit without taking on the weight of everyone else’s problems outside of that.

All done over quite a long period of time, but I have gone from having poor mental health and being quite unwell, to feeling like my old self again.

Mine too!

Cold showers. They are amazing and now I can do them I feel the anxiety melt away as soon as the water hits.

Gardening. It's changed my life.

Turned off all news, only news I hear is on the radio if I'm in the car on the hour

Regularly walking

Cutting out negative people in my life

Took up regular exercise, outdoors if the weather is OK. It has helped a lot.

Trying to have a tiny thing to look forward to every day (long bath, favourite TV show or exercise class) a small thing to look forward to each week (lunch with a friend, a night out with your partner, a day out) a medium thing to look forward to each month (theatre show, get together with loved ones, weekend away) a big thing to look forward to each season (tickets to a favourite band's gig; a holiday etc) and something major you feel you have achieved each year (Could be a milestone thing like having a baby, moving or renovating a house or a goal such as gaining a qualification, losing weight, running a marathon, getting promoted etc. Stuff you can look back on and think: That was the year I...)

Made time for, and actually then consistently started doing, exercise! Appreciate it’s not for everyone but it’s been a game-changer for me.