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.

@Bye2024

^ 'sorry to hear that but i get you. That's the way I have been feeling.^
Do u go to a pilates class? Will look to see if there is one local to me. Is ur meditation online or a class? Do you journaling at night just a recap of your day? Sorry for all the questions but really want to take all on board'

So I do a weekly pilates class with a local pilates studio. The class usually has about 8 - 10 people and it is a really relaxing and friendly environment. I started as a complete beginner and then moved to improvers and now intermediate classes. Seeing myself get better at it also helped my self confidence :).

I term of meditation I just listen to a 10 minute YouTube guided meditation in the morning and also at night if I have problems getting to sleep.

The journaling: I do a page every morning, usually I write about things like what happened the day before, what I am worried or excited about for the coming day and anything else that is on my mind.

It is nice to have that little routine to help me stay positive.

Getting signed off work long term with no intention of going back!

Setting a time limit on my phone. Unfortunately it can be easily changed, but I've been determined to put the phone down once the limit is up. I realised that I was sometimes spending between 9-12 hours just scrolling through rubbish, rather than actually living my life.

Any sort of exercise for me, but walking is most enjoyable because it doesn't feel like exercise. That said, small improvements and achievements in any kind of exercise are always really mood boosting. I joined the gym a couple of months ago and have moved up weights over Christmas which felt great.

Not really lifestyle but the biggest factor for me was addressing the things getting me down. I moved jobs a year and half ago which was very positive for my mental health but it was a huge increase in workload and hours which has meant I've neglected my social life. I am determined to fix that this year though so that life is more balanced. Ni also want to make sure I read more because I love it but often during term time my brain feels to cluttered to do it. I've set myself a target of one book a month, which feels appallingly low considering I used to be an avid reader pre kids and could get through up to 10 books on a beach holiday. Now I don't seem to be able to manage a page before falling asleep.

Working on better personal boundaries.
'No' is a complete sentence!

Hi
Could you elaborate on what it changed pls? Would love to know!

I think this is sooo important. I'm trying so hard with this but I've noticed I usually follow it up with a 'sorry'. I want to drop that bit too.

Not being in a relationship with someone draining

Woooooahh.

Don’t try and take it all on board.

Pick one thing, or maybe two at most that you feel you can really find a way to do a that resonanates at least a bit with you and go for those.

Trying to start multiple new things at once would be high on the list of ‘things that weren’t good for my mental health’ from most people.

Qigong, 10 minutes everyday, more energy and it makes me feel happy.

I downloaded the app but you have to pay to use any features, which I can't justify.

Letting go of the negative and helpless feelings about the irritating things I can not influence and narrowing my priorities to things that I can do myself.

Phone down in bedroom. No association between scrolling and bed. Sleep regular hours. Get up and out for a little daylight before breakfast every day.

Lifting weights regularly at the gym. Nothing beats that mental push and becoming stronger. I have also started to take lion's mane. I am so much more focused and assertive now.

Daily yoga
Cutting out people who make me unhappy
Fresh air
very little alcohol

A routine, I really need a routine.

The biggest helpful me was antidepressants. I'm no longer on them but they helped with severe depression and the anxiety I have always had never returned after stopping them.

I also need time to myself and book a day if work every couple of months just to spend the day on my own.

Blarn

Same I really need routine too. Really struggled over Christmas

@Georgeismydog
we seem to have similar strategies
i too have a dog - his name is a typical older chap’s name. Plus I live in the Midlands but crave the sea!

Those who walk, how long do you walk for? Or is it more important to just breathe the fresh air?

• Delete apps you waste the most time on, for me it was tiktok and twitter
• Showering and making yourself look presentable everyday
• Get fresh air everyday, even if you're just sticking your head out the bedroom window.
• Low maintenance hobby that you can do even on days when you cba (reading, journaling, puzzles, low intensity yoga )

Deleting Facebook and insta, don't miss it.
Daily walk by the sea, weather permitting.
Stopping being a people pleaser.

Nomorecoconutboosts

I think my username gives my dogs name away. Crave the sea too but make do with the swimming pool

Well done for focusing on yourself.

I started running to help with health as I'd had long covid, have asthma, plus I was overweight. An unexpected benefit was it helps my mental health. It is backwards though as it is when I don't go that I feel worse as opposed to being able to articulate how it helps.

babasaclover

Variable how long I walk for. I walk with my dog every morning before work. These dark mornings have made it hard for me to get up. I work from home and walk the dog round the block in my lunch break. Weekends I walk longer. Just get outside and do as much as you can. It is easier with a dog as gives you a purpose to go out whatever the weather

More regular exercise, more water, more sleep, more deep breathing. HRT.
Less alcohol, less sugar, less caffeine, less social media/news scrolling.
Accepting that some days are just rubbish, some times in my cycle are awful, and there's always, always a new day to start again.

Going the gym, spa baths , being strict with bedtime in the week to get enough sleep and eating regularly, cutting off a friend who never gave me minute despite numerous conversations, it was constant and of course all
About her.