Advice for a healthier mind, body etc?

[aspiringnurse]

Hello,

I have a little query regarding adopting a healthier mindset and taking more care of myself.. after having my DS 18 months ago I haven't been taking that much attention to the likes of my mental health, appearance, beauty routines and the care of my skin etc.
Luckily I have quite good skin with the odd breakout and dry skin here and there but after seeing the state of my nails recently and how bad I have let my hair become etc (typically just starting getting regular cuts every 6 weeks pre-lockdown) but I'm now wandering what I can do to keep myself healthy and take some good care of my skin.

I need recommendations on budget products (I currently use Simple products as I find its nice to not have harsh things on my face), day or night creams etc?

Any advice on how to be generally healthier and what I can do would be a godsend!

As an extra I'm a female, 26, non smoker and student nurse (so stressful at the best of times!)

TIA!!

I find that life is much easier with a daily yoga practice - even just a quick 15 minutes, reasonably early nights, drink lots of water and it’s not easy fitting it in with little ones fresh air on my own - either brisk walk or run depending on my mood. All free too! In terms of investment magnesium supplements have really helped with PMS tiredness and irritability. In terms of products a good scrub with help followed by a nice moisturiser/body oil. I treat myself here with the Neom Happy scrub and Korres Body Oil. My skincare is cheaper (But amazing) as I use Naturally Radiant from Superdrug. Also get a cuticle oil and will make a big difference with your nails.

Exercise and sleep!

A regular meditation practice can really help. I’d also recommend learning to meditate from a person rather than an app, although apps are good if you can’t access a teacher, just because it’s a more two way experience.

I agree with daily yoga. I’ve been doing 30 days of yoga with Adrienne having never really done it before and I find it really helps sort out my mind and body and sets me up for the day. I do it in my pjs and sessions last from 15 to 30 mins so very do able.

Yoga for me too, plus not resorting to a glass of wine at the end of the day, some fresh air every day and doing one small thing for myself - Reading/knitting/baking/nails

I like to get a blender and add spinach, avocado, banana, carrot and then some seeds (flax seeds, chia seeds) and some green powders you can get (algae/chlorella etc). Drink a pint or two of that a day and I start to feel much healthier and better after a week or so. I find I don’t really eat many seeds in my diet otherwise and probably not enough vegetables either.

Thank you all so much for your replies @SarBear1980 @WingBingo @JessicaDay @DottyP @ItsLeviOsanotLeviosA @ByzantinePrincess

Speaking of meditation and yoga, I've no idea where to start but wouldn't mind knowing more, what would you recommend to get started?

Meditation - I would start with Headspace. They have a 10 day starter session which will give you a good idea whether it works for you or not. It’s free! (Headspace app).

Yoga - I would learn how to do a sun salutation sequence (Google - there will be lots of instructions on line). It takes a bit of practice but isn’t hard. And once you know how to do it, it’s a really great all over stretch out for when you have been all scrunched up.

I’ve been to classes at various different Buddhist groups to learn how to meditate in different ways.

A lot of them are now offering classes/meetings online, so worth googling Buddhist groups to see what’s available, either locally or on a wider basis.

@aspiringnurse Yoga with Adrienne onYou Tube is great - she has a 30 day course where you do a simple focused sequence with her each day and she starts to do some breath work and relaxation too.

If you fancy getting the little one involved Cosmic Yoga is ace - also on You Tube - it’s story telling and yoga for children but actually a lovely sequence for adults for a simple stretch.

Yoga with Adrienne is really good entry point for yoga at home. I find her instructions easy to follow and there are so many classes you can just pick one to suit what you need. I’ve started to do yoga everyday for the last few weeks, in the morning usually, but try a longer one a few evenings a week. I get a lot of calm and focus from it.

For meditation, try not to take it too seriously. It’s just sitting quietly and stilling your mind as best you can, not engaging with thoughts. No judgement. Keep practising. I find I manage better without guidance, just silence.

My life changed when I joined my local social running club. It sounds dramatic but it is true.
I’d tried c25k before but missed the motivation. The social element of the club was vital I found. It’s not a way of making friends exactly, just a different focus to our other local club which is all about athleticism. Mine is about well-being and a gentle approach to fitness.
I’m running between 6-8k every other day now and it’s done wonders for my mental health. I’ve even managed to decrease my anti depressants by 1/3 since beginning.

I should add however I’m still overweight... couldn’t run one k before I started though.

You ladies all sound amazing! Do any of you work? I struggle to fit in any exercise Mon - Thurs when I work 9 hour days. At the weekend I attend a fitness class which really helps my emotional well-being. Used to do a yoga class.... brilliant but work then got in the way. I agree that sleeping well, drinking plenty of water & doing something for yourself once a week (being realistic) helps improve mental & physical well-being. Thinking of trying the yoga with Adrienne after reading this thread : )

I agree with the yoga and mediation recommendations, both will enhance your life so much and help you sleep better.

For yoga, Tara Lee's DVDs are great - start with her Earth one - or Yoga with Adrienne on YouTube. For meditation, the app Headspace is brilliant.

I know it's obvious but drinking lots of water and eating lots of fruit and vegetables and plant based as much as possible. We really are what we eat and I always feel terrible if I eat rubbish and notice the difference in how I feel mentally and physically when I eat well.

Thank you so much!

I've downloaded the apps headspace and couch25k and plan to start them this weekend.. I will have a little browse of the yoga videos, will I need any particular equipment?

Thank you all so much for your replies!
I have recently given up slimming world for a healthy eating alternative and just going off how I feel as I put so much pressure on to stay "on plan" instead of doing this for myself.. I just hope it makes a difference somehow!

@aspiringnurse that's great, I'm excited for you. You don't really need any equipment for yoga but a yoga mat makes it a lot comfier.

Making long term positive change is all about forming habits. It's easier in the long run to form habits that will help you overall, such as meditation, as this will have a positive knock on effect on things like your sleep and your eating habits. It's the same with exercise, the more you do, the less likely you are to eat unhealthy things. Don't put too much pressure on yourself and just focus on growing a little bit every day :)

@Active13 it’s tough. I work in a brutal industry, hours wise. Before lockdown I had a long commute and I’ve managed to convert some time before 8am for yoga. Today I got my daughter involved and we did a 40 min cosmic yoga and then she was a bit less wriggly when sat with me working. I would usually prioritise sleep but the yoga helps so much that it’s worth sacrificing sleep for.

I agree about healthy eating. I’m a vegetarian who likes eating fresh food, but I notice when I slip into crisps and cheese habits that I feel more sluggish. Much more spritely in ‘whole’ foods. Delicious cauliflower passanda tonight with brown rice, kale and broccoli.

I’ve just finished reading The Four Pillar Plan by Dr Chatterjee and I think it’s going to change my life. Really simple, very well explained. I’m noticing a difference already.

Don't know if it's still available, but the Headspace app was free to those with an NHS email till the end of the year. Also FIIT app, which has lots of types of classes, including yoga and flow, was free for three months, again with an NHS email address.

@ItsLeviOsanotLeviosA
Have decided I need to get back to yoga! So many people are fitting it in to their schedule I see. Yummy passanda!
Thank you to @aspiringnurse for starting off this well-being thread.....some lovely ideas

Go for it @Active13, I think even 15 mins is worth it. I had a great stretch out this evening after work and my shoulders, neck and back feel a ton better. I’m sure the yoga offsets all the dark chocolate I’m scoffing too!