What are your small tips for health and happiness?

[WotWouldCJDo]

Could we have a thread for sharing small and easy ways of lifting ourselves up? Ways of staying physically active, mindful, grateful and connected to others?

[Rabbitholebonkers]

Good food. Hearty winter dinners. Tbh I love the simple things in life anyway.

[WotWouldCJDo]

So many good reminders and new ideas. It made me realise that nobody I know talks about mindfulness or gratitude or any self care beyond alcohol

I too would like to hear more about stoic week. I have Derren Brown’s book on stoicism but not got round to reading it.

[Jrobhatch29]

I have bought myself a Nutri bullet and I am making us all lovely smoothies every day and really enjoying it. I've also bought a healthy recipe book and have been teaching myself how to cook so at least I have a nice meal to look forward to! I am getting back into exercise, and walks with my little girl in her pram keep me sane.

[flowerycurtain]

@miimblemomble tell me more about stoic week! That sounds fab

[miimblemomble]

Stoicism. I just finished Stoic Week and it was great, a good primer for going back into lockdown. Of particular relevance

Dichotomy of Control - recognise what you can and cannot control. IF you can control it, then do so. If you can't, do't waste any time worrying about it as there is absolutely no point in doing so. So control what you can (I can choose to wear a mask and make sure my kids do too) but accept that I can't control the outcome (they and I may very well catch Covid despite all our precautions, and I need to accept that).

Courage - to do the right thing, even when it's hard. To not see my friends in person, to cancel lots of things that I'd been looking forward to.

Keeping my cool and not getting anxious / depressed /angry - because the people that rely on me need me not to be like that. I can't help them if I am freaking out, or getting angry all the time, or catastrophising about what might happen.

[Mixitupalot]

Walking outdoors everyday. I started at the beginning of March as we moved to a better location with a lovely rural walkway. I do the same route everyday even when it’s raining. I honestly feel so good doing it & afterwards. When I don’t do it daily I start to feel closed in iykwim.

Watching nature
Good eating (with small treats)
Other exercise I prefer cardio to weights
Cuddling my dog

[IceniWarrior]

Ditch Mumsnet!

Get outside for a walk. I think that is a must.

Redefine your wants. We all want too much and expect to get it, hence many peoples struggle at the moment.

[OhioOhioOhio]

Counting your blessings.

[uka888]

Nice idea for a post 😄

[PollyPelargonium52]

Daily chanting and yoga. Music. Regular orders of Elemis skincare funds permitting.

[Crazzzycat]

Filling up the bird feeders every day and spending some time watching them. 5 minutes of that and I feel like my head has had a complete reset 😊

[SpookyPants]

These work for me:

Daily meditation. Even just 10 mins a day - and even when it’s hard and boring and my mind just won’t shut up - has an immensely positive effect on my wellbeing.

Writing a gratitude list every night before bed.

Lovely hot bubble baths frequently. I try to have one every evening. Helps me ease out of a busy day and in to a relaxing evening.

Creativity. For me it’s writing, but whatever you do - draw, craft, bake, play an instrument, gardening - doing something creative is such an antidote to stress. We need time to ‘play’ and use our imaginations.

[RhubarbTea]

Great idea for a thread!

I'm enjoying listening to this book on Audible. It's helping.

I also really rate the Calm app, especially during autumn and winter. I'll listen to a meditation on there a few times a week before sleep with some soothing noise set in the background on the app, usually rain sounds. It helps me sleep well and wake feeling relaxed and happy.

Taking vitamins and a separate high dose vitamin D I got on Amazon, and making sure my iron is up as I get anaemic and tired easily which can make me feel depressed and full of despair.

I try and have small things to look forward to in the coming week - a series I'm watching I'm excited to continue, re-watching a fave film I haven't seen in ages, knitting, an episode of a podcast, buying a new book... although I have to watch that last one. I've bought a few too many books this year.

Thanking people and appreciating them when I am grateful for stuff, complimenting them and also just enjoying a few moments to feel a burst of 'I'm so lucky that I get to...' and then fill in the blank with something you know people would be insanely grateful to have or do. Just reminding myself of stuff as I think as humans we tend to forget some things we have which are awesome, or we play them down in our head.

Trying to have a regular bed time and generally be kind to myself.

Making myself be social even if it's on zoom, via text or whatever. It all helps. In person social is the best kind, though.

[Porcupineinwaiting]

Limit social media and exposure to the news.
Country walks.
Watching the birds on the bird feeder.

[Beechview]

Get out of the house daily if you can. Walk somewhere that’s rich in nature. The urban environment is stressful and we need the tranquility of nature to keep us balanced.

Eat well. Have lots of vegetables every day. Soups and stews are really comforting and healthy.
Fruit is good too and we all need lots of vitamin c and d for good immune systems. Get some supplements if you need some.

Get the sleep you need.

Stay away from constant social media and the news.

Keep in touch with family and friends.

If you’re not working, do something mentally stimulating too. A course (lots of free ones), reading, documentaries, Ted talk.

[UntamedShrew]

Deep breaths. In for 6, out for 6.
A 6pm cocktail.
Sending nice things to my family (postcards, box of doughnuts, a cake) cheers me up as much as them.
Walking every day.
No phone after 9pm, reading books in bed.
Earrings and lipstick for every damned zoom call.

It’s going to be a long winter but I feel like I’m propping up so many other people (teenage kids, shielding parents) that I need to just keep us all going really. Exhausting but do-able.

[Happymum12345]

I love dr chatterjee’s podcasts and books-especially feel better in five.

[PuzzledObserver]

• Walking out of doors. Either a good brisk get the blood pumping, or a leisurely stroll, taking in your environment.

• Watching nature

• A conversation with a friend

• Watching comedy programmes

[HMSSophie]

Dancing.

[EmmaStone]

Some excellent advice here. I bought this print at the weekend, I think it makes a lot of sense, and is my memento for this year to myself.

I've lost a lot of my earlier mojo, but things I did initially that helped were planning things: we had quite a few holidays cancelled, including kids' school trips, so I had themed food of where we/they were supposed to be, which was quite fun to plan and experiment.

Regular exercise. This is so, so important, especially yoga. I've literally only just started going back to my yoga studio, looks like I'll be back to Zoom (which is fine, I've been doing mainly Zoom even when the studio reopened). Not sure what will happen with my PT, we managed outdoor sessions before he could re-open his gym, perhaps we'll do that again, but we'll be at the mercy of the weather gods. Lots of walks, especially with friends if we'll still be able to do that.

Projects. Managing a bit of decorating was good for the soul. DH and I dashed to B&Q this morning to get more paint in advance of tonight's announcements. Also gardening. Lots and lots of gardening.

DH and I have been WFH since March, I've managed 1 day in the office. I had to cut hours over the summer, hoping won't need to do that again, but it'll depend on what activities we're able to still do as to whether there will be enough work.

Good luck everyone 🍀

[TwilightSkies]

Turn the news off! That’s a big one. And generally just less screen time.
Daily multi-vitamins.
Good sleep routine.
Drink water.
Meditate.
Balanced diet.
Time outdoors every day.

[missmouse101]

Strawberry shoelaces from Asda. Fabulous! 25p each or 5 for £1.

[Submariner]

I got into such good habits at the start of lockdown, then wobbled a bit and found I was spending weeks at a time indoors, just working, eating, drinking. I put a lot of work recently into exercising, cutting down on alcohol, losing weight but the last few weeks have been a free for all again. Noticed I've spent today wandering around the house snacking and refreshing my phone.

As of Monday I am going to try and get back on the healthy eating and leaving the house at least once a day. I'm going to also start small on my mental health with a daily meditation.

In the spring I found it helpful to have markers in my daily routine (NOT including a glass of wine at 5pm!!) and some markers in my weekly routine like doing some self care on. Sunday.

[WotWouldCJDo]

A socially distanced walk with a friend

I think this is currently my greatest luxury in life.