How do you look after yourselves and what works best

[tiredbutloving]

Love to know how you all look after your mental health. I have a few friends struggling so much at the minute and I thought advice from people going through similar would be so helpful. Three mums all with teenagers, full time jobs and the many stresses that come with juggling it all. What do you all do to keep sane and balanced?

Not a parent, but I absolutely have to get out of the house every day for a walk. Putting on music or a podcast and getting fresh air and moving my body for an hour/90 minutes always makes me feel so much better.

Ah yeah you really can’t overestimate fresh air and getting moving can you! Podcast is a nice idea. Is there somewhere good lyou find these?

I tend to just listen on Spotify. You can search through the popular podcasts/ episodes, or browse by interest. I like to listen to self-development, true crime or "easy listening" (something along the lines of Table Manners with Jessie Ware), because I can get really absorbed.

No alcohol, eating healthy, exercise and prioritising sleep.

I agree about walking. I have found that I can put one foot in front of the other even when in the pit of despair. A Fitbit to track the number of steps also helps. I aim to do at least 15,000 steps a day, even if that is just aimlessly walking round the streets of my town. It can be an effort to get out the door but I always feel better afterwards.

Great thread, will be looking for ideas. I should really walk more but always feel too cold and tired end up finding excuses. Need to get some thermals.

ASMR, EFT tapping therapy.

Easy book reads where nothing happens.

Nothing bad happens !

I have a big parka coat with fur lined hood, woolly bobby hat and thermal gloves so feel toasty even when freezing.

Bobble hat 😀

Sounds great @Veryirritating! I will look for some thermal gloves.

A walk everyday, bed early as much as possible and one class of pilates a week. I like headspace app for meditation but I'm not good at remembering to use it.

Also, getting away from negative friends and family who suck the life out of you helps. I’m feeling so much more positive since leaving my miserable, critical partner and going NC with my manipulative, controlling mother.

Healthy eating, exercise and saying no to things I don't want to do are what work best for me.

These are all wonderful suggestions thanks guys!