Feel old and drab, what can I do to myself this weekend to feel less so?

[Mandraki]

I'm 29, soon to be 30, but feel about 50, and have a 2 year old. I'm a student nurse, currently on placement. I'm bloody knackered and it shows.

Tonight, I'm thinking bath, face mask, scrub my whole body, bleach my muzzy, early night. Tomorrow I'm getting my hair cut a bit, just a trim.

What else can I do this weekend to pep myself up, anything you like to do when you feel like this? I feel old and scruffy.

Long term I want to lose about a stone as well so that will help! Just in a bit of a mum funk I think.

Paint your nails something bright, or have them professionally done if you can afford it! Go and treat yourself to a new top or something, something that you wouldn't normally wear (again, if you can afford it).

Eyebrow threading? I was going to say get gel nails but not sure if that's allowed with your job. Maybe go to superdrug and buy some of their own brand skincare,which is both cheap and good.
Buy decent vitamins. I get iron vits and Perfectil for my hair, nails and skin.
Next week get a blood test done and check iron levels if you feel excessively tired.

If you have time this weekend maybe meal plan some nice healthy meals and do a good shop or order online so you can get started with the weight loss. I'd get lots of fish and veg because they are filling and good for skin etc without being difficult and time consuming to prepare.

As well as the mask, I’d get some good facial oil and give yourself a facial massage. Try to do this regularly, at least once a week, as it really helps to bring some life back to a tired face, and it feels nice.

If using a mask, use the oil afterwards instead of moisturiser.

Eyebrows threaded and a bit of subtle fake tan always makes me feel better. The Isle of Paradise drops in boots are excellent!

Well, I had my eyebrows waxed this afternoon, bribed my daughter with a kinder egg to sit for 10 mins haha! Meal plan, will do- sounds like a plan, I have face oil somewhere I think so will do that tonight too. Nails are a no no unfortunately, they always make me feel more put together but infection control says no for now. Maybe I'll moisturise or something though haha!

All good suggestions!

You can buy a good nail buffer and make your nails all shiny and get nail oil and hand moisturiser.

Ha. Well I'm nearly 50 and feel awesome but I don't have a 2 year old so blame her and look forward to your 40s and 50s and don't be so ageist.

Start doing daily exercise, 150 mins a week of exercise (sport or running or swimming or cycling) that raises the heartbeat and a couple of sessions of weight bearing exercise (yoga or weights). Plus start walking more. You will start to feel awesome and that will make it easier to work on other areas of your life.

Sorry count fosco I didn't mean to come across ageist, I just mean that although I am nearly 30 I feel older at the moment, older than you should at 30.

Do you do any exercise? An exercise DVD or online with some uplifting music, or just dance around the room. Your toddler can join in too.

Or a walk to the park with your DC in the buggy?

An early night.

I do 12 hour shifts does that count? 🙈 haha to be fair I do quite a bit of walking on my days off, we like a walk. But I could do with doing more heart rate highering exercise you're right.
Definitely an early night, I'll be asleep soon.

Buy a lipstick 💄 in a fabulous colour to suit your colouring. Makes a massive difference to your appearance for just a couple of ££

I know you can’t get your fingernails done but go get yourself a pedi!!!

I walk around 20000 steps on a 12.5 hour shift so I’m sure you are doing your exercise if you’re on a ward.
Nail buffer is a good idea. But I can assure you I also feel knackered after a week of 12 hour shifts (3 not 5!)

I do 12 hour shifts does that count?

Yes! I did between 25,000 - 30,000 steps in a 12.5 hour shift, definitely counts as cardio. I'm a nurse too, qualified a few years now and feel like I have a lot more free time now, training and being newly qualified was really tough and tiring! My advice would be to make sure you look after yourself, as the cheesy but true saying goes, you can't pour from an empty cup.

Drink enough water: take a bottle with you to placement and keep it with you, it's easy to forget to drink throughout the day when you're busy but it's important!

Planning your meals as someone said above will save you time and money, plus help you eat a bit healthier.

Look after your hands and feet, they go through a lot! For hands, use hand cream and cuticle oil every day, shape them with a glass nail file and use acuticle remover/cuticle pusher every week. Paint them on your days off. For feet, I give myself a pedicure every week or so,even if no one else sees them it cheers me up to know my toes are painted:).

Hang on in there, it's worth it and it gets easier/better!