What lifestyle change improved your mental health

[Bye2024]

What changes did you make to your life to help your mental health? Last year I barely got through it. Got into a slump where I was just existing. This year I'm determined to fight this and flourish.

Fresh air is key for me - ideally a walk, but if weather is horrific (eg gales) then I at least try to let some fresh air in the room.

I agree - a good brisk walk always clears my head

Getting DH to take on a greater share of the domestic workload.

I got an oura ring and I also started always wearing an n95 mask when I got places. I kept getting ill, and everybody said it was anxiety, but when I started masking up when I went out, I stopped getting ill. I think my immune system is a bit knackered. It might still be anxiety that's causing it, but life is a hell of a lot easier now I'm not just lurching from one virus to the next.

I always say I am going to go a walk but end up doom scrolling instead for hours.

Regular exercise - swimming for me

Sticking rigidly to only working hours I’m paid for.
Spending money across the year on very good professional therapy, life changing.

If you have the time and space get a pet. A dog would get you out on walks and meeting people or a cat would be great companion.

Do it as early in the day as you can.

Meditation. Changed my life. Started with a short retreat and moved on from there and it has been life-changing. Off anti-depressants, way less anxiety, able to think clearly and respond thoughtfully rather than reactively.

I never feel worse after a walk

Getting a walk in every day.

A brisk walk. Even in the rain and cold if you have to. I agree that the earlier in the day you can do it the better. If it's going to rain all day don't prolong your agony. Radio and podcasts are your friends here.

Walking, running, general fresh air

Making bread from scratch. Thumping a lump of dough can be very therapeutic 😁and there's a satisfaction to seeing it rise.

When I feel 'out of synch', I take a moment to think about what I really honestly want. I am a huge people pleaser and often to my detriment - so this can be quite challenging for me!! I then try and do what I can to make me happy, and think about friends I know who have healthy boundaries, and what they would do. I try not to think about whys and reasons behind it. Just what I am feeling right now and trying to understand what I need.

Yoga also helps me a lot too.

Frequent exercise.
Lots of sleep.

Cold plunges.
Started with cold showers.
It's changed everything.

Get a good audio book/podcast on the go.

Walks are great then! As there is also the added bonus of getting a chance to listen to more of your book.

Deactivated all my social media apps and then removed them from my phone... genuinely didn't think I would last long but it's been months and it's lovely!!! 🥰😅

Does MN count as SM??

The most important ones to me are sleep and movement! Work out days are aka ways better days for me!

Getting out into nature - any green will do

Making sure I see friends

Not letting working hours get excessive

Enough sleep

Things in the diary to look forward to

Brutal decluttering - it’s so much easier to find things now, quicker to get dressed in the morning and much easier to keep things tidy. Folding the washing is now quite meditative for me, but it used to be a stressful cramming situation that actually stopped me doing the washing in the first place!

Spending more time outdoors is my 2025 goal - there’s a movement called ‘1000 hours outdoors’ and there are free printable pictures where you colour a square in for each hour. I don’t think I’ll manage 1000, but I’m not sure I even got a 1/3rd of that in 2024 so thought it would be something I could improve on each year and might make me (and my toddler) more outdoorsy.

Quitting alcohol - life changing!

Yoga , absolutely game changer for me ...