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!

Going to bed an hour earlier and getting 8 hours sleep only able to do it now as dcs older

I had a wood burner fitted in the house we are renovating (extremely slowly ) Only one working radiator so in winter try and light it at least every two days to stop the house getting damp/icing up.
Only jobs I can do there at the moment are big ones, ones that need a good clear day - no school pick up etc...
So I go for lunch, light the burner and sit (on an old garden chair) in front of it and watch the flames and eat a sandwich/drink coffee...surrounded by bare walls and floorboards, no TV, no internet (has kettle, microwave, and loo though) ...stove fitter said it looked like a bothy - someone else has compared it to me having a shed in the garden ...take a book but rarely get round to reading it
At home (I work from home too) I am surrounded by stuff I ought and could be doing ...so feel guilty...
There although I am surrounded by stuff that needs doing I know there is nothing I can do...
(Un) Fortunately it will moving again soon (big meeting this Thurs) - I will lose my bolt hole ...
Planning on getting myself a shed (or a caravan) - I really will miss my escape...

I should have added - there is a radio and I listen to Radio 4 while watching the flickering flames... (rainy and miserable here today - so tempted to go and light the fire - but have too much work to do today (that I'm obviously currently avoiding Mnetting )

1. Work full time even if you have a baby / babies
2. Go to bed at 10 every night
3. Only drink water. No alcohol.
4. Eat only healthy whole foods, no chocolate or junk food, no caffeine, wheat or dairy.
5. Try to move every day even if just a short walk.

When mine were tiny I always found the day went much better if I managed to get in the shower before dh left for work. That and getting everyone out of the house.

I feel better about everything if I manage to get a Jillian Michaels workout done. Energy boost, look better (eventually) feel happier.

For me -I get a pedicure. I have a long term neurological illness that means I can't feel my feet (or hands or face) but a full pedi with nail varnish etc makes me feel great!

For others - I volunteer (I work 2 days a week). My church has an "anti-poverty" project - we provide furniture, food, clothes etc. I do the admin and fundraising and publicity. It's brilliant!

Go for a run each day
Make time for friends
Have a cleaner
Escape into my study when it all gets too much
Listen to music
Skin care routine
Laugh
Send naughty texts to dp!
By the end of this, I am ready to do some work...sometimes

Don't just plan activities that are fun for the kids, sneak in things that you'd do even if you didn't have kids.

For example, the other day I took my toddler and baby to an art exhibition I really wanted to see. There was a family activity room so we went there first and the kids had a great time, then once they were tired they hopped in the stroller and I got to have a nice ramble through the grown up section.

Like Jubelteen learning to say 'no' to things I don't want to do has turned my life around.

Giving up the evening wine, short term slightly miserable, long term, boundless energy, fabulous sleep and feel healthy and positive, huge difference to day to day life.

Cleaner every month for deep clean.

Tiday every night for peace of mind/in order to relax.

tidy not tiday!

I would definitely go with the clean / uncluttered house thing.

Each month, I walk round our house with a black bin liner. Anything that hasn't moved, been touched or looked at since last month, hits the bin. This includes magazines, toys, papers, old post, all the plastic crap that comes in kids party bags etc. I also check clothes & shoes and take any outgrown to recycling. I feel 'serene' afterwards!

Oh, plus hiring a cleaner - best £25 per week I spend

Sold the car, cycle and walk everywhere instead. Meant I could reduce working hours from full-time to 20 hours a week as it reduced my financial burden by a massive amount which has had a significant impact on my mental health, on my physical health too as I'm far fitter (although not thinner, stupid genetics). Also gives me time to get more things done outside of work too.

I try to find time for a bath in the evening with some lovely bubble bath.

not speak to my mother if I can help it.

I aim to follow the motto "a room with everything it needs, and nothing that it doesn't".
I try to get a walk with DH in the evenings. It is nice to have time to ourselves, and we always have stuff to talk about.
Also, each night before bed, I pick one treatment, like doing my eyebrows, painting my nails, or body brushing to do so I feel pampered.

Cut out sugar. Much more energy
Get a cleaner. Love my cleaner.

When my DC were younger I think my gym membership was so worth it. I put the dc in the crèche and did something for me. I think writing lists is good for stress, somehow once I have written a job down its as if I have half done it.

Watching with interest.

Stop watching television. Our broke a few years ago - all of a sudden the kids were more cheerful, I had loads more time, slept better and didn't feel so depressed and ground down by the real and fictional tragedies constantly playing out on the box. Unfortunately we ended up getting a new one in January (DH won). But I avoid it and the kids are now out of the habit of watching it.

Get outside and take time to enjoy the natural world and all the changes going on - new life, new leaves, birds chirping, mushrooms, bluebells - any time of year. Essential for me.

Apart from that, tidying up each day so it never gets too messy. And having a cleaner. :)

Discover .....

Music you love (in my case world music and Classic FM)
A great new author (just out to get myself a copy of "Have a little faith" by Mitch Albom)
Europe and beyond (lived in Japan for a year, need to go somewhere else exciting soon - it's been too long)
Spices (Jack says cumin is the business)
Tea and cake & ideally with friends
The seaside, with or without children
Wildflowers, wildlife, and walking

Music
A good book on the go
Comfy bed / electric blanket in winter
Nice place to sit in summer - patio table and chairs etc
Open fires in the winter
Walking somewhere everyday
Omega 3 supplements
Batch cook and /or frozen fried onions (ones you have done yourself)
Laughter
Mumsnet
Good box set on the go

Sorry, more than one!

I will be back..great thread thanks for starting OP. I will read with interest.

Exercise.

I do 4 0r 5 classes a week, and priorotise my exercise above lots of other things like ironing.
Exercise increases my energy levels and decreases my stress so absolutely essential for me.