What one thing has made you feel most better:healthy

[Dryshampoopoo]

A very general health question..what one thing - either
a product you’ve started eating/drinking/taking/using OR exercise/routine you’ve started OR something you’ve cut out OR
anything else at all
has had the most positive effect on your life in terms of making you feel ‘better’ physically, emotionally, mentally?

Going vegan. DH and I gave up animal products for other reasons, but the improvements in our health was incredible. The IBS that I had suffered with all my adult life disappeared. DH had high blood pressure and chest pains, which also disappeared very soon after we went vegan. Quite I credile, really.

Ferrous fumerate but I was anaemic.

Giving up breakfast cereals and having a cooked breakfast.

Lots of healthy food.
Outdoor exercise and regular 'exposition' to nature.
Time off screens. read, reflect, do something artistic instead.
Make sure I have enough sleep

Getting my wonderful dog has improved my physical health and my mental health - getting out and about in all weathers is good for body & mind, meeting new friends that way, unconditional love etc.

Cutting out ultra processed food. Has cured my IBS.

A nap every day. Up to half an hour.

Instant recharge and feel fantastic.

Stopped drinking wine in the week. I sleep so much better (didn't make any difference to my weight though).

Gardening every day for at least an hour

The gym 4 times a week. Transformative for me.

Hiking! Being out in the wild is great for body and mind.

Cut down / all but eliminated refined sugar

Taking my dairy intake to almost nothing, and keeping the wheat low (I think the dairy the most though).

Milk had started going right through me, so I stopped it, then noticed that I wasn't stiff in the mornings anymore - I'd started having to take a moment to get my hips to let me walk to the loo and feeling much older than I was - no I roll out of bed like my 10 year old again.

Also iron (although I take a multi-vit, I also take iron on its own) - my periods had got heavy, and I felt knackered all the time. The dairy + iron + multivit seems to have taken that back to normal.

Drastically reduced my stress levels by getting a new job. The difference has been startling. I'm now sleeping better, have more energy, and feel more creative. I didn't realise what a huge impact work stress was having on me. It's a less senior role with no line management or budget responsibilities, but no reduction in pay. I feel like a new person.

Giving up drinking, once you are alcohol free everything else becomes easier, exercise is easier and your blood sugars stop. bouncing around so eating sensibly is easier. I replaced alcohol with water and bought a sparkling water machine.
i don't drink my calories so no soft drinks.

Exercise early morning, either with weights, or yoga exercises.
My joints started to ache after I broke my arm a few years ago.I assumed it was the start of arthritis.
Now I have got into the weights / weight bearing exercises my aches and pains have all but stopped.

Also, the menopause - my periods were so heavy and debilitating. I was aneamic for years. I feel so much better without them.

Working with a personal trainer.

Water aerobics has improved my physical and mental health so much. I hated getting hot and sweaty (menopause) when I did other activities so gave up on them very quickly. This is perfect because I'm working out without getting too hot and without putting strain on my joints. I aim to go 4 sessions week and hate missing it.
Another fantastic thing is that I started using the Squeezy app for my pelvic floor so I can now cough and sneeze without worrying about leaks and have no need for panty liners at all and its only taken just over a month!

Aqua and swimming for me along with intermittent fasting

Starting going to yoga again after year break. I joined everyoneactive so doing one sesh a week at mo then quick swim ( literally 4 laps ha) then sauna for 15/20 mins. Bout 30 quid a month and could do more classes, gym, swim if I wanted but easing back in...its about £10 just for swim and sauna so bargin really.
And walking the dog, never feel like it but always feel better.
Would like to try no alcohol but hard habit to break x

Giving up alcohol and eating a low carb diet.