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Original poster

Small but significant healthy daily habits

123 replies

hallesmelly · 04/12/2022 22:36

I'm in a rut at the moment in mind and body. Feeling anxious and not happy with my appearance or general health.

I need to make changes but I know there's no point trying to totally overhaul my life all at once because it will be overwhelming and I'll just fail.

So I'm thinking of trying to gradually introduce small but significant everyday habits to my routine. This week I'll try and get out everyday for a walk even if it's cold. I'll just get myself and the baby wrapped up and we'll go. Also need to give up booze totally but perhaps the wrong time of year for that one!

What else do you do as part of a healthy lifestyle?

OP posts:
Imnotweirdimlimitededition1 · 04/12/2022 22:45

When my Dcs were small I always tried to shower each morning before coming downstairs. Other suggestions -drink more water & do small household tasks everyday rather than one big clean

Houseplantmad · 04/12/2022 22:53

Have a look at Glucose Goddess on Instagram or read the book. Simple healthy hacks.

FettleOfKish · 04/12/2022 22:54

Never leave a room without taking something that doesn't belong there (a mug from the lounge to the kitchen, clean washing to bedrooms etc).

Drink water.

buzzing · 04/12/2022 22:59

Wash my face every night before bed and out on nice night cream. Takes minutes but always make me feel like I’m taking good care of myself.

Slimjimtobe · 04/12/2022 23:00

I’ve started taking St. John’s wort and a high dose bit D

feeling better

FlowerArranger · 04/12/2022 23:00

Caroline Girvan

Totally life changing

EscapeRoomToTheSun · 04/12/2022 23:04

My nighttime floss/mouthwash facewash/toner/moisturiser routine makes me feel like I'm caring for myself.

onepieceoflollipop · 04/12/2022 23:08

I make sure that at least one (or more) of my shower products is special, at the moment it’s good soap and a really nice lavender shower gel.

walking is good - I’ve got a dog rather than a baby.

re the alcohol, if giving up seems to big a step, maybe cut down slightly. I try and keep to one small ish glass of wine and not every night.

swimming is good, I try to go on my own one evening per week and also use the sauna etc.

FairlyIncognito · 04/12/2022 23:11

eat whole foods eg a Brazil nut every day for selenium if you are able to

Take vitamin d in winter months

eat fish or omega oils regularly - helpful against depression and good for brain health I believe !

Thenakedwineglass · 04/12/2022 23:16

Start each day with a large glass of water - I always feel like it kick starts my body followed by another at lunch, mid afternoon and at tea time - 2l of water done

Aim for 5 fruit and veg a day - again spaced out so like some fruit at breakfast, with lunch then veggies at tea time

Like pps, one ‘nice’ part of skincare routine so it feels like I am doing self care and being a little indulgent. At the moment it’s using a lovely foot cream before bed with fluffy socks

I never seem to have enough sleep though - so if anyone has any tips for that I’d be interested !

There was a book called 52 habits or something and that tried to get you to adopt a new healthy habit each week which built up over the year

ThinkingOfAWittyUsername · 04/12/2022 23:31

Name changed for this, been posting for a few months, but I might keep the name...

I am supposed to be drinking more water. In fact, any water, and I don't do it for some reason. NO idea why. I need a full diet and lifestyle overhaul as I'm generally unwell and not really looking after myself properly. Never really have done, but now it's all catching up with me and causing issues. Why can/t/won't I do it to help myself? It makes no sense. Ideas on a postcard.

OP I applaud your plan for a daily walk, and perhaps if you drink a glass of water when you get home that could be two new habits incorporated into one! Now, if I could just follow my own advice...

onepieceoflollipop · 04/12/2022 23:37

@ThinkingOfAWittyUsername
i am also very bad at bothering/remembering/actually drinking water.

I keep a new pretty blue glass in my en-suite and occasionally when I see it (for example when getting ready for bed or cleaning my teeth) I have a small glass of water. If I get a drink of water at work I fill my cup, drink it at the machine while standing there and top it up again!

coverp · 04/12/2022 23:42

Some great ideas here. DH has started eating a salad for lunch every day. He is lucky as his work has a huge salad bar so it takes the faff out of it. But he has lost loads of weight and feels a lot better despite continuing to eat / snack however he wants at other times of day.

So maybe focus on "fixing" one meal to begin with? I definitely find it easier when I don't have to decide what I'm having - I know it's porridge with fruit for breakfast for example.

NewToWoo · 04/12/2022 23:43

Definitely take Vit D spray and herbal iron supplement daily.

Do squats while cleaning teeth for two mins, morning and night.

5 minute shower is better than no shower.

It takes 5 mins or less to brush hair, moisturise face, put on lippy and mascara and a spritz of perfume. But it looks like you made an effort and care about yourself.

Always eat your 5 a day. Berries at breakfast, veggie soup or salad at lunch, 2-3 veg with dinner and a piece of fruit.

SingingSands · 04/12/2022 23:49

I read once that the best way to form new habits is to link them to existing habits.

So - I brush my teeth every night, then use a cleansing face wash. I get into bed, then put on moisturiser and massage it in and then put on lip balm before turning off the light. I shower every morning, but before I shower I use a dry brush on my skin. I have a glass of water as soon as I walk into the kitchen every morning and I've started taking vitamins with my morning water.

So gradually all these little things become ingrained habit and something we "just do". I can't go to sleep now without having massaged in my moisturiser and put on lip balm, it doesn't feel right!

RobertaFirmino · 04/12/2022 23:54

Learn to stand correctly. I know it sounds daft, after all we all know how to stand up but if you are correctly aligned, you look so much better. It's good for your back too.

CKL987 · 05/12/2022 00:08

At the end of your daily shower turn it down to cold for 30 seconds. I'd suggest getting into this slowly by turning it down a little each day.

ThinkingOfAWittyUsername · 05/12/2022 00:43

onepieceoflollipop · 04/12/2022 23:37

@ThinkingOfAWittyUsername
i am also very bad at bothering/remembering/actually drinking water.

I keep a new pretty blue glass in my en-suite and occasionally when I see it (for example when getting ready for bed or cleaning my teeth) I have a small glass of water. If I get a drink of water at work I fill my cup, drink it at the machine while standing there and top it up again!

I have a lovely water bottle, filled, in the fridge.
It has been there, untouched, for 3 days...

Orangepolentacake · 05/12/2022 00:46

EscapeRoomToTheSun · 04/12/2022 23:04

My nighttime floss/mouthwash facewash/toner/moisturiser routine makes me feel like I'm caring for myself.

You forgot to brush your teeth tho

Mrsblobby22 · 05/12/2022 00:57

Great ideas here!

Blocked · 05/12/2022 00:59

Spray of vitamin D and a sertraline

figtrees · 05/12/2022 01:01

For anybody struggling to drink water I suggest herbal teas.
There's tons of different flavours, they are hot so perfect at this time of year, they don't have any calories, not expensive. I enjoy them so much, I try to appreciate each one and take a moment for myself with it even if its just for 5 minutes.

Also op. Yoga. Just do 10 mins a day. I'm always banging on about it but if you stick to it for a month you will see benefits. You can find videos online on YouTube you don't need to attend classes.

Blocked · 05/12/2022 01:02

ThinkingOfAWittyUsername · 04/12/2022 23:31

Name changed for this, been posting for a few months, but I might keep the name...

I am supposed to be drinking more water. In fact, any water, and I don't do it for some reason. NO idea why. I need a full diet and lifestyle overhaul as I'm generally unwell and not really looking after myself properly. Never really have done, but now it's all catching up with me and causing issues. Why can/t/won't I do it to help myself? It makes no sense. Ideas on a postcard.

OP I applaud your plan for a daily walk, and perhaps if you drink a glass of water when you get home that could be two new habits incorporated into one! Now, if I could just follow my own advice...

Maybe you're like me, I don't often feel thirsty. I could get to 5pm and realise I haven't had a drink all day. I only ever drink for pleasure eg tea/coke/wine. Very rarely because I'm thirsty.

CuriousMama · 05/12/2022 01:02

@Thenakedwineglass I've just been reading about black seed oil for something different but it mentioned being helpful for sleep issues. It's beneficial for lots of reasons.

I agree with the getting out in the fresh air. Also stretching of any sort makes me feel better. Same with day and night cream.

I hope you get time to pamper yourself @hallesmelly ?

Luxurysleuth007 · 05/12/2022 01:05

I Drink 1 pint of water first thing in the morning - usually with half a lemon squeezed in to it. Proceed to drink a lot of water throughout the day- you’ll notice immense benefits.

1 coffee in the AM and that’s it for caffeine.

Take a good multivitamin (Well Woman etc)

Get plenty of sleep

No smoking or vaping