What one thing do you do to increase quality in your life?

[Springhasspung]

What one thing do you do to increase your energy, or improve the quality of your day, I'm trying to steal little ideas that could make my life with two dcs under 5 and a busy DH tips are appreciated!

I used to take a multi-vitamin which included vitamin D, ate a healthy diet, and was a fiend for the sun (though I was always slathered in SPF, perhaps why my holiday had made such little difference).

The doc told me standard recommend dosage supplementation makes no difference if you're actually deficient. Someone I work with had to have 120,000 a week! Get tested!

Gosh, that is shocking! I'll definitely make an appointment to get tested. Thanks again, thesaurusgirl!

I was put on vit d by doctors as there were concerns about my bones as I have had steroids over the years for renal problems. After about 6 months I noticed a lot of other benefits as well as no further deterioration in bones. Def good for mood and also I alwyas used to ache before my period and that stopped too.

D3 25 micro g the funny little squiggle pronounced mew I think! (sorry) You can get in H and B I had prescribed though.

Doing the jobs you don't like at the start of the weekend, rather than leaving them hanging over you to spoil the whole weekend.
I a work part time and have to do prep for the following week. I finish work on Thursday and try to do all my prep on Thurs evening, even bough Im very tired. When I've finished I am thrilled and enjoy my long weekend so much more. Hate having things hanging over me.

Another great thing is recording TV rather than watching it live. Think most people do it now. I still find myself rushing, thinking, I must finish the thing I'm doing, because X starts at 9pm, then remember its recording and I can start at 9.15 or 9.30 or whenever. Quite freeing in a very simple way, for a clock watcher like me.

Sky planner is a good friend...though aspparently my DH is not alone in obsessively checking how much % is left.

Wow I'll have to try the bit d thing, can I get a blood test done anywhere, or must it be gp I don't want my dr to think I'm being fussy?

Our cleaner doesn't like cleaning and when she started did three times as much ironing as she does now so cleaners aren't all roses.
Having clean ironed clothes makes me feel better.
But quality of life?
Just walks in the free clear fresh spring air or pottering about in the garden or chatting with my family or classical music or reading a favourite book for the nth time or perusing a new scientific paper with a novel idea or good study design. These things make me happy. Also making a baby laugh makes me happy.
And the pay cheque of course.

Mumsnet!
Clean (ish!) house.
Having the windows open for part of the day.
Organising a night away with DS1 to see a show and stay in a hotel once a year. (Disclaimer: DS2 is only just 2 at the moment but I plan to do the same with him when he is old enough!)

When I am overtired or stressed I eat really good quality vegan food for a little bit.

Blow dry your hair nicely on a Sunday night. In fact pick and choose bits of this regime to get yourself sorted in advance of the week's onslaught.

Sunday Night Organisation

A brilliant app called 'Alarmed' which is just so incredibly flexible and allows for all sorts of repeat intervals (including annual or every three days for example) and different melodies for different types of reminder. It keeps me on the straight and narrow

It's a 'reminder' app

also diagnosed with severe vit D deficiency a couple of years ago after third birth. I was abnormally tired a year later and felt much better after injections, medication AMD now supplement. they said it was probably a combination of 3 pg and rounds of bf in fairly quick succession and veggie diet plus a few year holidaying in the UK only due to not wanting to fly with young children!

This thread has inspired me to get a cleaner!

Marking spot!

hudyer you can do it! takes a concerted effort and outlay on storage but anyone can benefit for a bit of decluttering I think, I'd do one room at a time maybe? that's what I did as I was unpacking and tbh it took a good couple of years to get everything optimised as I'd like (eg we only just cleared out the garage of old removal boxes etc 2 years after moving in) - and a house move definitely helps the process. but small changes help I think. I have 3 under 10 and work FT and I find it is actually much easier to keep things tidy if they are a bit more organised. and I have more time to spend with the DC (also recently started using a cleaner which I have to say I am also a total convert to despite previously being anti)

The kids are naturally messy, of course, but they kind of get swept along with it and it is easier to get them to tidy their rooms when they know where everything goes so they just follow suit. DPs on the other hand are more of a challenge but I think they get away with it less as it stands out more once the house is organised and fairly tidy generally so guilt will help with compliance

Meal planning well in advance on a calendar and online food shopping

Nescafe Cafe Menu Skinny Cappuccino has been a recent 'improve quality of day' item for me. At only £2.98 for 10 sachets that is less than 30p per mug of delicious skinny cappuccino and only 52 calories!

www.nescafe.co.uk/products_flash_en_co_uk.axcms#/?content=detail&imageid=45

When DD is at her swimming lesson, I take along a flask of hot water, a china mug, a spoon and a sachet and treat myself to a cappuccino without paying the onsite 'tax avoiding' coffee franchise a whopping £2.95 or whatever, for a cup that is half full of froth and very little cappuccino.

For me, a Nescafé vanilla latte in the morning and booking holidays, always need something on the horizon otherwise it is just a circle of work, homework, cleaning, paying bills etc. also, mumsnet to chill in the evenings

The best thing I ever did to improve my quality of life, was get a dog. He is a labrador, he is calm, gentle, loving, funny, and very good company. He is always pleased to see me, he loves his grub, he calms me down, he is a great de-stresser and quite simply - my best friend

Brought myself a grown up scooter (Razor Lux) as my 40th b'day present to myself - got it originally to keep up with my two DD's (4 & 7) on their balance bike / scooter (since I always wear heels so don't run after them). Now I use it even when they're not with me - it's fast & SO much fun. Makes getting out & about a joy.

Listen to Radio 4 - having adults talking (even in the background) is a saviour with very small people about.

Waitrose free coffees - I like proper coffee but hate paying for it when out & about. Often paired with a small bar of decent chocolate.

My Kindle - means I can snatch some time to myself whereever I am - wish they'd existed when I was breastfeeding - silent / lighter than a book / can be read in a darkened room.

Google Keep - invaluable for making lists on my mobile (& it synchs to my computer) - I love lists esp as things seem to get more & more random with kids.

Excel spread sheets - weekly shopping list & gift list for friends & family (jot down ideas as you go through out the year).

The Kindle & the Scooter make me most though.