What has made a big difference to your health?

[MissRabbit00]

Inspired by a comment that I saw on threads where a woman mentioned how giving up sugar had significantly reduced her menopause symptoms.

Just wondering what things other people have implemented that has helped their health and general wellbeing. Thinking mostly about things like giving up/adding in certain foods, or forming certain habits.

As someone who has always suffered with migraines, has chronic cystitis and a raging monthly cycle... I'd like to know what tricks I'm missing.

Do you take HRT? Sorry if it’s already been asked. But your symptoms sound like ones that HRT could help with.

I do, but I also do intermittent fasting, and I don’t eat many (if any if I can!) ultra processed foods. I also try and eat a lot of fibre (chia seeds for breakfast and so on).

Also daily 10,000 steps and I am planning on incorporating yoga back into my life.

I also don’t drink much alcohol (adding on to my comment above).

i’m coming through a Christmas / new year period of ignoring all those extra things and feel like absolute crap! So they must work!

Getting fitter, stronger, and upping my exercise.

Which went along with steady weightloss til I was in the middle of the green BMI graph.

Excercise (walking, outdoor swimming in summer, gym classes, all fairly moderate) helped me sleep much better, gave me endorphins that helped me cut sugar craving, put a stop to endless muscle twinges and aches (muscles stronger, supporting my back etc) and helped by slightly arthritic knees.

Boosted my mood no end, from better to sleep to feeling more like me when I look in the mirror, not choosing clothes to disguise (‘be flattering’) bits of me.

Something that’s often forgotten is the link between relationships/loneliness and health. The biggest negative affect on my health has been loneliness during mat leave - it’s driven me to depression.

So for me, I am focusing on:

• meeting up with existing loved ones more frequently
• making new friends (just started a new job and moved to a new area, so really need to pluck up the courage to say hello)
• eating more fruit and veg
• getting off my phone
• being more active (although, I’m pregnant, and working full time, and looking after 1 year old DD, so maybe I need to go easy on this one!)

Good luck and well done to everyone trying to make improvements

I have nothing helpful really apart from really making an effort to track your migraines. I know a busy day out if I haven't drunk much water will very likely lead to a migraine. So I glug some water, take some ibuprofen (stopped triptans a few years ago as I was getting too many migraines to take them), have a cup of coffee and go to sleep as early as I can.

I can also now pick up the signs one is starting, and this can be a day or so ahead of getting one so I can now really minimise how bad it is. This has made a huge difference to my life.

Also, a liquid iron and B vitamin supplement has really made a difference to how tired I feel.

Prioritising sleep above all else

giving up
alcohol, sleep better, skin better, guts happier, pocket lighter,
red meat apart from leg of lamb twice a year, Easter and an October birthday
milk and cheese,*
tea and coffee, drink herbal tea or redbush without milk

I always had a healthy diet anyway, no processed foods at all,
minimal sugar, salt, no condiments, jams, chutney etc.,
never had sugary drinks or any hidden sugars

Im astonished, watching cookery shows on youtube, the
amount of salt used, when we are all encouraged to cut down.

chocolate - this was easier than I thought and never tempted
as an adult I never ate sweets anyway, nor shop bought cakes,
biscuits, factory made food

driving - exercise is now essential ie running for the bus

Finally! regular 6 monthly dentist and hygienist visits, electric toothbrush,
better quality toothpaste

I am now

buying fresh fish from the van on Tuesday Market,
real bread, local eggs & flour from the excellent Cottage Bakery,
fresh veg from local farmshop,
walking daily

decluttering/death cleaning ! lightening the emotional load, as our
mental health is important too !
I’ve found this exercise fulfilling and amazingly liberating, which must
be a health benefit?.

• milk cream and cheese were producing horrible catarrh which is now
• reduced, although I needed another form of calcium, so headed
• to our local Health Store for advice, and discovered (recommended) GOLD
• multi, v expensive, used my birthday money as seemed appropriate,
• certainly given me a boost. My skin was looking dingy, eyes dull, not
• any more.
• Also recommended to eat raw celery as it is a cleanser, keeps everything
• flushed and breath sweet smelling.
• Now if only I could buy celery heads the size and quality we see tv or YT chefs supplied, rather than green skinny often hollow celery fit only for stock.