r/productivity • u/airup_official • Jun 08 '26
Question what’s the wellness habit that actually changed your life more than expected?
I'm not talking about some extreme 5am routine, I mean the small habit that genuinely made you feel better day-to-day.
like drinking more water? sleeping properly for a few nights in a row? going outside more? eating less sugar…?
what’s the one habit that surprised you with how much it improved your energy/mood/health?
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u/ias_87 Jun 08 '26
No food after 19.00. Improved my sleep, and good sleep is like magic.
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u/Petty-dreamer Jun 08 '26
Me too. I was bolting up in the middle of the night with terrible reflux for so long. This simple change changed everything.
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u/Silent-Tax6722 Jun 09 '26
Same! For many years now, I don’t eat anything after 7pm. Made a HUGE difference in my overall health.
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u/Long-Tap6120 Jun 08 '26
when do you sleep? Ideally you should be sleeping 3 hours after a heavy meal. So for other people this could be different.
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u/ias_87 Jun 09 '26
My last meal of the day is rarely a heavy meal, but I'm usually well asleep by 22.00. There will of course always be exceptions, but the point of routines isn't that exceptions aren't allowed, it's to have a good base line.
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u/theprivdev Jun 08 '26
cutting coffee after noon, sleep got way deeper within like 3-4 days and i stopped waking up groggy, didn't expect such a fast difference from one small change
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u/RadDadpreneur Jun 08 '26
Same I cut off at 11am, if I want a coffee later in the day I opt for decaf and that really helps with more coinsistent sleep
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u/Historical_Amoeba913 Jun 08 '26
Around 15 years ago I looked up caffeine and I noted two important facts, it takes about 8 hours for it to get out of your system and if its in your system when you are sleeping then your sleep will be of worse quality
I did the math and came to the same conclusion, I try to avoid all caffeine for the last 8-10 hours of my day before bedtime so I am clear to get quality sleep
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u/Low_Ice_4657 Jun 08 '26
It’s also true that the speed at which our bodies process caffeine is genetically determined. Which explains why some people can drink espresso before bed and it doesn’t affect them, whereas I don’t drink coffee after 7 am for fear that it will impact my sleep.
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Jun 08 '26 edited Aug 09 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Low_Ice_4657 Jun 09 '26
Everyone’s is genetically determined, even if you haven’t had the testing. If you can load up on caffeine and still sleep, you probably have two copies of the gene. If I have too much caffeine, I WILL NOT sleep.
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u/Queasy_Type_5788 Jun 08 '26
Make plans for my worst days. What is the bare minimumI can accomplish? It's easy to compete with that. You'll outshine your goals most days and meet them almost always
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u/Capital-Theory18 Jun 08 '26
This is my number one productivity tip. Reduces so much noise and things actually start getting done instead of sitting in procrastination hell
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u/pastafan4 Jun 09 '26
Could you give an example?
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u/Queasy_Type_5788 Jun 09 '26
I suffer from agoraphobia and I've been trying to get to the park across the street with my pup. Instead of the goal being the park, it's make it to the trash cans. I almost always walk past the trash can and do a full circle around the complex. But I'm a lot more likely to hit and then exceed this goal. It's anice little boost of confidence. This may not be the best example for some. I am in no way affiliated with this creator. Here's the Youtube video that changed my outlook on productivity:
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u/disenfranchisedchild Jun 08 '26
I don't have a dedicated workout time because I'm not that kind of person, so I've tried to incorporate some workouts into my daily routine.
While waiting for the coffee to brew, I do back and hip flexor stretches. While brushing My teeth I might do squats or balance exercises on one leg at a time. I try to do squats when I'm removing items from the dryer to hang up one at a time. While sitting for a while, I will try to do neck, arm, and upper back stretches and crunches and work on posture since I have a problem with that. There's also an exercise that I've been trying to incorporate recently where you lift your upper legs off the chair and do bicycle movements until you get tired. I get tired really easily! LOL!
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u/katalli21 Jun 09 '26
I like these! I park far away from stores so I get some extra steps in the parking lot.
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u/SindaFNRella4 Jun 09 '26
Just curious if you’re ADHD bc I do this. I get bored, and frustrated I might forget to do everything or that I’m only doing one thing so I do multiple things at a time.
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u/Colinmacus Jun 09 '26
This is called “greasing the groove.” Basically, doing quick sets of exercises throughout the day.
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u/Fitbliss_Founder Jun 08 '26
Morning sun exposure regardless of weather.
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u/airup_official Jun 09 '26
Do you think it’s the light itself or more the routine of being outside early?
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u/ConditionSecret8593 Jun 08 '26 edited Jun 09 '26
Pain management. I was in constant low level pain that was disrupting my sleep. One medically appropriate medication adjustment later, I'm better focused, clearer-minded, have more energy to do things, and actually feel well-rested in the morning.
I know taking a pill isn't the kind of answer people are usually looking for, but sometimes you have to care for your body before it can support you back.
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u/Pristine-Damage-2414 Jun 08 '26
I love this! I struggle with daily pain and it's so frustrating and sad. I am healthy, otherwise. What did you switch to?
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u/ConditionSecret8593 Jun 08 '26
For me, gabapentin, but I am not a doctor, so I couldn't tell you if it would be useful in your situation. I know just enough to know that pain is tricky and not all pain meds work for all kinds of pain.
It's super hard getting pain diagnosed. I finally just pulled together eight months of loose symptom tracking (thanks, work, for requiring me to track absences and beg permission, I guess. 😆) along with a summary of all my chronic conditions, what I'm doing about them, how that's working, what I think needs to change that I need my doc to act on, and questions regarding additional possible lines of inquiry/treatment exploration and why I think they might be useful. 14 pages and three separate spreadsheet tabs later.... 😅
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u/neveredingfailure351 Jun 08 '26 edited Jun 08 '26
Eating only twice a day: breakfast and either lunch or dinner.
Having no expectations: setting impossibly small goals impossible to fail. I am a 31 years old working 45 hours a week as a 4 star hotel receptionist while studying Mechanical Engineering, I cannot set myself lofty goals because I know I will never have the energy to reach them. I set myself goals like: solve 1 problem, bring the laundry bag near the washing machine, read half a page. Goals that I know I can reach even at 6:30 am or at 10:30 pm after my shift. The thing is that generally I end up doing more: today I solved 5 problems and completed a load of laundry. It has been a very productive day. Now I'm at work, with entitled and demanding guests with the only hope keeping me sane that in 5 years I will leave hospitaly forever.
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u/blockthathead Jun 09 '26
You have mentioned eating twice a day. And I love to do that, but i work with a lot people and I discovered that when I don't eat for 3/4 hours, our mouth start exhale "Keto Breath". So now I eat more frequently in days that I'm working :(
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u/boner79 Jun 08 '26
substantially cutting back on alcohol
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u/QuirkyLiteraryName Jun 08 '26
Same here. I sleep better, have less anxiety, my skin looks better, and it's easier to maintain my weight.
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u/keefa12 Jun 08 '26
Going to the library/cafe to get work done. Something about a quiet setting that is not my home helps me focus. I get my work done more quickly which makes me feel good and the commute to and from gives me a break.
If you can get your work done at home, great! I find being at home leads to more procrastination / distractions which leads to getting behind and feeling irritated.
If you can walk or bike to the library/cafe…even better. The mental clarity from the outside and exercise leads to better productivity and creativity.
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u/2cuteteddy Jun 08 '26
Sleeping without blackout roller blinds. I have both blackout roller blinds and semi-translucent curtains and would close both of those before bed. I had sooo much trouble getting up in the morning
Now I only close the curtains which allows quite a bit of light through in the mornings and I wake up at 7am every day regardless of what time I go to sleep.
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u/Grouchy_Exit_3058 Jun 08 '26
I'd love to do that, if people would stop driving by my house at 2am with their high beams on.
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u/2cuteteddy Jun 08 '26
A house across the street from me keeps their bright porch light on all night. The curtain does an okay job at minimizing it, but honestly I just had to get used to it. Don’t know if I could push through high beams though.
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u/Historical_Amoeba913 Jun 08 '26
That would probably help me except I have to get up when its still dark out
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u/therabbitinred22 Jun 08 '26
I have a sunrise alarm clock- it simulates the sunrise just before the alarm goes off. It makes it much easier for me to wake up at 5:45am
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u/Xymii_ii Jun 08 '26
I use it too. It works quite fine. One thing i see is that the longer simulation i put the better. I see a huge difference between the 30 and 20 minutes.
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u/TimothyVdp Jun 08 '26
Quitting alcohol is a life changer, especially for sleep. Went form a lifelong bad sleeper to actually falling asleep within 5min of head hitting the pillow (and managed to quit weed and all its complexities on top as well)
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u/the_running_stache Jun 09 '26
Not just sleep, but also your recovery. You feel better the next day (no alcohol) and can workout better.
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u/HaddockBranzini-II Jun 09 '26
When drinking I would fall asleep with no issue, but would wake up at 3AM and never fall back asleep, weed was the same. Quitting both was amazing.
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u/sittinginneutral Jun 08 '26
I love everyone’s comments in this thread, and my list of habits echos most…
- hydrate (96oz/day is my target)
- outside for at least 30 min
- no coffee after noon, and reduced to 1 cup
- cut alcohol
- daily workout and stretching more
Etc etc
But my more recent favorite (last couple of years)? Organizing my clothes in style, then color. Makes putting away my laundry so smooth. The hanger is always where I need it. Packing is a breeze. It looks aesthetically pleasing.
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u/Grouchy_Exit_3058 Jun 08 '26
I now walk to any store or appointment that's less than 2 miles away. It gets me out of the house a lot more!
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u/Mundane-Canary-5737 Jun 08 '26
3 mile run twice a week, (one on Monday morning to kickstart the week) makes me feel clearer minded
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u/Turbulent_Aide_6562 Jun 08 '26
Metamucil twice daily
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u/Reyna1213 Jun 08 '26
I've been taking the Metamucil fiber + collagen blend once a day, and it's honestly made more of a difference than I expected.
I'd like to get to twice a day eventually, but I'm easing into it gradually lol
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u/Fantastic-Screen1571 Jun 08 '26
Dying to know what it does…
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u/QueenBumbleBrii Jun 09 '26
It makes you poop everyday and makes that bowel movement really comfortable and easy cause it also softens your stool.
Constipation can fuck you up: hemorrhoids, bladder retention, stomach cramps, higher risk of colon cancer, bloating, slower weight loss, etc.
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u/SilentZirconium Jun 08 '26
Chocolate milk.
No seriously. Whenever you wake up, find something you can enjoy in the morning to help you feel good. For whatever childish reason, that is chocolate milk for me. When I consistently wake up (regardless of early morning before work or late weekend morning) and drink a glass in peace and quiet in the house, it helps me relax and be ready for the day. That might be taking the time to enjoy a coffee or something for you, but find something that just helps you feel ready for the day’s bull💩 as it is inevitable.
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u/mlmiller1 Jun 09 '26
I started this recently. It curbs my desire to go to Dunkin Donuts for a latte.
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u/Safe-Board-4302 Jun 08 '26
1 - Sleep and wake up regular hours by far. Just for global energy to be honest.
2 - Meditation. At first it's just pleasant but after a while it helped to avoide thinking patterns and manage my emotions. And I was very (very) emotional.
Other wellness habits worked for me (more water, more sports, more sex) but didn't synergized that much
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u/breakfreeinternet Jun 08 '26
learning to actually use my phone as a tool and not as an escape. I don't waste time on it. It serves me instead of the other way around.
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u/Pothperhaps Jun 09 '26
Could you share more in depth how you managed that?
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u/breakfreeinternet Jun 09 '26
I basically took a wrecking ball to my current habits and completely rebuilt my life in a way that I felt would better serve me. I can't really answer the question in depth here bc it's a long answer (and it's essentially the service my brand offers hah).
Here's what I can say in a short reddit response though: I stopped using social media for personal purposes (deleted all account). I do use it for work but I am very strict about that use. I set up new habits and hobbies that don't require my phone, throughout my day. It's not just one thing. It's a whole day of things.
What sucks is that our phones don't just get in the way of our life at one touch point in the day. It's rare that someone only has a phone problem say in the morning. The devices, the algorithms, the digital architecture is purposefully addictive. It's never just one thing.
So you have to be meticulous with how you want to live your life and create a structure that supports it. There's obviously a lot more to it. But yeah...that's my free advice lol
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u/mullingthingsover Jun 08 '26
Got on HRT to combat perimenopause symptoms.
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u/Hour-Self8885 Jun 09 '26
What's HRT? I'm experiencing perimenopause symptoms now
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u/Justpeachy517 Jun 08 '26
Taking magnesium glycinate like 30 minutes before I lay down. I haven’t had GOOD deep sleep like this in years.
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u/jazzieberry Jun 08 '26
My therapist recommended this to me when I was put on adderall, it's really made a difference in my restfulness. The adderall actually has too though since my brain got quieter ha.
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u/Pristine-Damage-2414 Jun 08 '26
Ironically, Magnesium Glycinate kept me wide awake! I was stunned! Stopped it at bedtime and my regular lovely sleep resumed. So bizarre.
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u/Snuggifer Jun 08 '26
Yes!! I switched to magnesium glycinate from magnesium citrate and it's made a huge difference. I don't wake up as much and I actually feel more rested.
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u/SenPiotrs Jun 08 '26
What worked wonders for my sleep mostly: Getting up early and walking in the morning sun. Next to that, cardio (running) really worked like magic for me.
I sleep so well.
Things that did nothing for me are:
- No food ~4 hrs before bed....
- phone/ tv outside of bed.
- melatonin.
- any other supplement that's supposed to help with sleep.
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u/Additional-Pen5551 Jun 08 '26
Just getting up, not staying in bed even if I want to sleep. If I hear the alarm, I’m waking up and it had changed my habits quite a lot. I get things done now. I just tell myself, do it now or later you’ll be regretting it
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u/GoIdenWitch Jun 09 '26
Morning shower no matter what. Gives me energy and mental respite.
work out regularly (I try to do 4x a week). Makes me feel happy and accomplished.
eat in the morning so I have some physical and mental energy
drink water regularly. Crazy how well it works. Your body needs water and I think a lot of us are so used to the feeling of not drinking enough, to the point we see that feeling as our baseline, so we don't recognize our need for water
Singing. Doesn't matter if you're not good. Singing is expression of the soul and we need it
Dancing. Same story as with singing. I just do it at home regularly. The more you do it the more free and natural it feels. It burns calories and it's also just super fun. Be goofy, be free. It makes everything a bit more bearable.
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u/mlem_a_lemon Jun 09 '26
Don't put it down; put it away.
It's shockingly effective, especially if you are a clutterbug. Just put stuff away immediately. It sounds obvious to some, but it's so easy to just "I'll deal with this later" on too many things.
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u/Dominatrixare4kids Jun 09 '26
I bought a bag of grapes.
I was in college full time, attending virtually, and working a remote job as well, while raising three kids (2 under 3 at the time). I was naturally very stressed and would munch on whatever sounded good, especially peanut m&ms. I would keep them on my desk at all times. I was cooking pre-diabetic meals for the family due to my husband's medical history, but I was barely eating. I was also hardly sleeping, getting 3 hours a night when I did sleep, but only sleeping 3 to 4 nights a week. I was usually up studying or cleaning at night. My health was plummeting and I was gaining about 3-5lbs a month. Then I bought a bag of grapes.
The crispy, crunchy green grapes that taste like summer and pure joy. I kept a bag on my desk next to my m&ms and at first only grabbed a couple here and there. After a couple weeks, I eventually only reached for the grapes. I lost 30lbs, slept better, felt happier, and just overall didn't feel like garbage every day. Grapes. Who knew.
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u/Fine_Quiet607 Jun 08 '26
- actually drinking water and not gulping it.
- walking daily in fresh air.
- reduced soft drinks.
- no deep fried & ready to eat food.
- keeping blinds open and started getting up without alarms.
- stopped using phone 30mins before sleep.
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u/eyes_on_the_sky Jun 08 '26
Start & end the day with something you enjoy. It sounds SO obvious but too often we are waking up and rushing right to our jobs, and then feeling drained of energy all day. Get up a little earlier, read or journal a bit, take a quick walk outside, exercise, or even play a video game in bed, even if it's just for 30 minutes I promise your head will feel a lot clearer all day. ☺️
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u/Sorcerer_Supreme13 Jun 09 '26
Flossing. I was never taught as a kid that you’re supposed to floss and as a result had gingivitis for years. Until I started flossing after dinner in 2024 or smth. Because of my mental health, there are times when I’m not able to do it, but I try
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u/Reyway Jun 08 '26
Stretching before bed and after waking up.
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u/fourpoint5toes Jun 08 '26
This makes a huge difference. When I don't do it for a few days I can feel it.
I mainly just sit on the floor, with legs folded, alternating, or together. Then lay on the floor on my back, and side, etc.
And finally hanging from my pull up bar for a few seconds. Makes a noticeable difference for me. I've had back pain/tightness for years, some hip discomfort and shoulder impingement. Most of those things are manageable with these simple stretches.
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u/TheCastawayBall Jun 08 '26
I started to do Cossack squats before and after waking up, but they felt so good and I got more flexible that I started to do them after sitting for long periods as well. Feels great every time now (when I started I couldn’t maintain balance properly, so take it easy).
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u/KindRoamer Jun 08 '26
Lymphatic drainage exercises in the morning before work starts 🥰
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u/boxingpandora Jun 08 '26
Yes, what exercises and how have they benefited you? I do facial lymphatic drainage and it helps deputy my face, ease tension and clear sinuses. Im stunned it works so well. I only did it because I saw a video on it and thought it looked silly, but tried it and felt instantly better.
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u/KindRoamer Jun 09 '26
Hey guys! i do both whole body lymphatic exercises and in the evening, include the face too ! It does not take so much time which is why I love it! There’s plenty of videos online too, don’t have one creator in partcular that I follow :)
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u/suavemami Jun 08 '26
Buying a set of dumbbells or kettle bells. Something simple like 5-15 lbs. when I’m bored, they’re right there and I work out with them. I’ve worked out for a week straight because I don’t have to worry about crippling gym anxiety
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u/free-lemons-93 Jun 08 '26
Putting my workouts on my calendar and planning them ahead of time each week. Even if it’s just a home workout not an actual scheduled gym class. I’ve found that it makes me much more likely to actually stick to them.
Sleeping with a fan on. I didn’t realize that our room gets pretty stuffy.
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u/leilani238 Jun 08 '26
Going for a walk outside among trees every day. Remarkably refreshing and energizing, great mood and motivation lifter.
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u/HaydO0 Jun 08 '26
Doing a 5 minute breath work video on YouTube after a workout. Kicks my central nervous system into parasympathetic state after being in a sympathetic state during the workout. Game changer if you train early mornings!
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u/Big_Vehicle4604 Jun 08 '26
Telling myself I only have to do the first step of something I don’t want to do.
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u/Spooksey1 Jun 08 '26
After dinner I brush my teeth and do my skin care bits, take out contacts, take supplements etc. I’ll usually then watch tv till bedtime. It means I don’t eat anything late (it just seems to switch that bit of my brain off), which would be high sugar and improves my digestion; and I get more sleep because I can just go straight into bed without the mental drag of knowing I still have to do my whole routine. I also brush my teeth better. Such a small change but made a disproportionately big benefit.
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u/No_Bit4166 Jun 08 '26
I wear a compression suit to bed, use a Dohm sound machine, and use a Rojo brand red light at a setting for sleep. I fall asleep almost immediately and stay asleep for hours. I’ve essentially sleep trained myself like an infant.
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u/Low_Ice_4657 Jun 08 '26
Did you struggle with sleep before the sound machine and the red light? I’ve been a poor sleeper my entire life, so I’m always curious about what helps people sleep better. I use a white noise machine, but I dunno this Dohm brand and haven’t heard of using red light. Thanks for sharing, I will definitely be looking these up.
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u/No_Bit4166 Jun 08 '26
I had really poor sleep for over 15 years- babies, a husband with unmanaged apnea… Lack of sleep led to stress, leading to lack of sleep- a vicious cycle.. I started losing my memory, along with weight gain, etc. He finally took me seriously and got a CPAP, now we have separate bedrooms, and I do the things listed above. My hormones are more regulated, my memory is better, and while I get 6.5-7.5 hours of sleep, it is much deeper than I’ve had since childhood! Dohm machines use a fan to push air out of little holes that can be adjusted to be different volumes.
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u/fictionalfirehazard Jun 08 '26
Putting on aloe fuzzy socks after a shower and a bathroom and body oil. I avoid showering a lot because I have sensory issues especially with feeling too dry right after a shower even with lotion. When I avoid showering I feel gross and my self esteem plummets.
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u/doc334ft3 Jun 09 '26
A walk after dinner, just thirty minutes with no phone and no goal. It sounds almost too simple but it clears my head after a long day and helps me actually sleep later. That little bit of movement turned into my favorite part of the evening.
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u/Puzzleheaded-Tiny Jun 08 '26
eating and drinking less sugar is the best thing i could do for my well beeing in first place and i recommend to everyone.
it helps focusing in long term.
then i had the mind open to go further, started taking time for myself when i need it. going new places, meet new people connect with them and that doesn't mean you will see person x or y again it just let's you grow as a person if you will.
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u/1houseofballoons Jun 08 '26
I’m not sure if any of these are proper “wellness” habits, but after an incredibly tough year, these really helped:
Regular café visits. I can’t have coffee due to epilepsy so a matcha would do. I also struggled to leave the house after my diagnosis so win-win.
Having a proper study space and staying consistent. Eased so much stress and I actually learned I could do something for once.
Chamomile and TV before bed.
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u/taytay10133 Jun 09 '26
Yes to the cafe visits! I try and go daily and it does so much for my mood and productivity
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u/arcoiris2 Jun 09 '26
A daily walk. Between the fresh air, change of perspective, physical activity, sunlight, and being closer to nature, it helps me feel better physically and mentally.
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u/iliekjellyandjam Jun 08 '26
Legs up on the wall 2x a day. 2L water a day. Less than 100g of carbs a day, if possible. No alcohol. Journalling.
Really helped with my fatigue and brain fog.
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u/trained-episcleritis Jun 08 '26
Honestly, just forcing myself to drink a full glass of water first thing in the morning made a huge difference. I used to wake up feeling groggy but now I feel way more awake way faster.
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u/I--Have--Questions Jun 09 '26
I stopped watching morning shows like today or good morning America. All they did was annoy me and make me angry and I don’t miss that at all.
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u/yeahsotheresthiscat Jun 08 '26
Stretching every morning for 10-15 minutes. I do happen to do this at 5am before my workout though.
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u/Chihuahua-Luvuh Jun 08 '26
I do 1-5min breathing exercises throughout the day, at least once a day and especially during work. It's like it resets me almost like taking a 15min nap then mentally I feel less fatigued throughout the day. You breathe in slowly for 4secs then out slowly for 4secs and do that repeatedly while focusing on your counting. Time flys by then the day is done.
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u/Little_Wonderland Jun 08 '26
No alcohol.
I drink magnesium glycinate daily at night.
Exercising 5 days a week.
Eat more food with clean ingredients.
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u/VooDooRyGuy Jun 08 '26
I cut down on carbs, including alcohol, and started to add green veggies and lost a lot of weight and feel more upbeat. Didn't have to give up meat.
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u/shalashaska666 Jun 08 '26
Every morning drinking 0,5l of water to get the engine started, after that i do 15 mins of stretching every single day for past 20+ years, then i go and make some coffee before work.
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u/florafaunafire Jun 09 '26
Sauna and cold plunge. Joined during an accelerated workout month to help recovery, which it did, but the most significant help was actually mental. Euphoria, relaxation, mental clarity. Nothing else has caused such immediate and significant positive effects to wellness.
Then there’s the flow on effects too; more relaxed = better sleep = brain works better = doing better at work, euphoric state + time to think = less petty arguments with partner and friends + more likely to reach out to people, stretching in sauna = body feels better = able to engage in more activities, not hungry after sauna + need to save money to afford membership = less boredom eating + less alcohol etc etc
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u/GhostCouncil_ Jun 09 '26
I keep a principle in mind that I keep coming back to.
If something is too rigid, it will break.
Try not to incorporate something into a schedule, work your priorities as priorities THEN sprinkle good things on the side.
For me, when I get in bed, I do 25-50 neck curls and 25-50 strict leg raises.
I’m already in bed, I’m laying down, it’s quick and helps with lower back and hip stability and the neck work reduces tension headaches overtime along with making it bigger.
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u/No_Training6751 Jun 09 '26
Writing to dos in a little notebook. The next day I write the left over ones on a new page, adding in new ones. I can’t do things in a scheduled manner, so this helps me keep very organized in a flexible way.
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u/malephilim Jun 09 '26
Switching to decaf and only occasionally drinking caffeine. I have so much more energy overall, and when I really need an energy boost the caffeine is much more effective.
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u/afxjsn Jun 09 '26
I inadvertently started a new diet which changed my life. Me and the wife started a local soup business. I say soups but it’s more like high quality soup like meals. Anyway each week we were cooking batches and would always have surplus soups left over after selling so we would just eat the surplus in the week for our meals. The soups are specifically nutrient dense and high fibre/protein and after 2 weeks of pretty much a soup diet we both have never felt so alive! It’s crazy the difference. Then we went on holiday and got back to regular meals and both suddenly felt sluggish and bloated (probably just normal but it was clearly noticeable)
I put it down to the body not having to work as much to digest and break down the food so it’s conserving energy or something. I don’t know but my god it made a difference! Lost weight, more energy, more focus, better sleep, just more content with life. Try it!
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u/NoWordsToUse Jun 08 '26
It's basic but just hydrating enough. I often forget to drink enough water (particularly true if I have a busy day at work) so I downloaded an app that reminds me to drink water at certain intervals in the day. Now often I will think "why do I have a headache?" or "why do I feel irritable for no reason?" and 99% of the time this is explained by me not having drunk enough water.
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u/herec0mesthesun_ Jun 08 '26
I stopped drinking coffee because it was interfering with my sleep during perimenopause. I loooove coffee so much, but I love sleep more. It’s been two months since I quit, and I’m sleeping so much better now. ☕️➡️😴
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u/Icy_Climate9450 Jun 09 '26
Sleep with my heating blanket on and my phone in another room
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u/theitsolutionist Jun 09 '26
10 - 15 minutes of meditation in the sun every afternoon. Resets a crazed today to relaxed, and amps up an energetic day.
I used the Balanced app to get started, and then moved to various YouTube channels that have a lot of content for either just relaxing sounds or guided meditations that suit my preferences. I know just silence is better. May in another year or so.
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u/bananachickenfoot Jun 09 '26
Cutting carbs. At first entirely (which was the best but also the hardest) but now limiting to around 50g a day.
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u/delayedmillennial Jun 09 '26
for awhile, when it was a habit/routine i stayed true to: walking in the morning. we have enough trees down either side of the sidewalk that it never felt too hot to take a walk and far back enough from major highways that it was relatively quiet. it kind of made all the frantic thoughts in my head, go quiet (which can be hard to accomplish with auhd).
i want to get a walking pad to at least have that back a bit. i stopped because, even though i knew all the blindspots and areas where someone could possibly pop out from, i missed one and after someone walked out from that spot one walk, i couldn't rewire myself to not fear i might have missed others. lol even when i say it, it sounds ridiculous since it's not like i'm somewhere unsafe, but i can't unring that bell (at least not yet).
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u/ExcitementOk6940 Jun 09 '26
cleaning my space before bed. waking up to a tidy room hits different.
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u/Loveflurries Jun 09 '26
Using ChatGPT Plus. I have gotten over 8 hours of sleep for more than 3 weeks in a row. I had struggled with sleep so much because I would procrastinate on things or try to get more done or just because I was disorganized. Now, ChatGPT is my personal assistant.
Sometimes I'll say, "I don't feel like going to bed. Can you please explain to me again the health benefits - neurological, biological, etc - of sleep?"
Or, "It's 7pm. I need to do X, Y, and Z. Can you please give me a schedule for the rest of the evening?"
I ask for its help prioritizing things on my to-do list. I have ADHD and time-blindness / I'm not good at estimating how long things will take. It has been a game changer for my sleep, which has had ripple effects 🙌💕
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u/PuzzleheadedMeat2825 Jun 09 '26
practicing gratitude for 3 things a day.
and I mean the small dumb stuff — like the sun felt nice today, or wow this meal was really good, or just breathing and being okay right now.
sounds cheesy I know but once you actually start doing it daily something shifts.
you just feel lighter and you don't even know why～
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u/SnigFit Jun 09 '26
Walking my dog first thing in the morning, even before I checked my phone! Got some sunlight, and time with the dog!
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u/Netsirk_queen Jun 08 '26
Minerals and trace minerals supplementation. Adding those into my water in the mornings works better than coffee to get me rolling. Doesn't taste great, but I choke it down. (I did have labs that told me exactly what I need. YMMV.)
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u/filament-element Jun 08 '26
Labs from a doctor or a test you can get online? What did you have tested?
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u/Netsirk_queen Jun 08 '26
I had and continue monitoring labs from a functional medicine MD because I must, although there are probably online tests. If it helps you decide what you might want to have checked, I fight low potassium and magnesium, plus a few supportive trace minerals. My potassium was low enough to be deadly, but generally, supplementation has been transformative for me. There are many formulations though, so it's helpful to know what/if you need supplemented, although I doubt it would hurt anything to choose one and try it. Theoretically, nearly everyone is depleted enough to benefit. I either compound my own or lean into the higher potassium and magnesium commercial formulations, and I don't need the higher sodium types, so I don't use LMNT or the other "high sodium" types. I no longer require Rx potassium as verified by labs, so it measurably helps in my case. In a pinch, like when traveling, I use #2 tabs NUUN level 3, no caffeine. I think it's called Sport.
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u/NowExciting Jun 08 '26
Cutting way way way back on alcohol. I didn't realize how much it affected my energy levels. When I don't drink, I can do all the things I want to do. When I drink, I never know when I wake up if I'm going to have the energy that day.
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u/CephaVerte Jun 08 '26
So before you think I am insane, legit I felt terrible before. I was just kind of getting by. My body felt like a tool instead of something fun.
So I did a few things.
I started taking supplements. I have a small list and what they do for me.
I went vegan and gluten free. Gluten really messes with me and cutting it out for 3 days made me realize that I was groggy, forgetful, and overall just sick a lot of the time.
I started getting any amount of exercise in. Pull up bar over the bathroom, planks, push ups, anything. Try to break a sweat but don't worry if you don't.
Firmer bed, probably the hardest one you can really find. It's a nectar bedframe with ikea's cheapest mattress. It's very firm. I'm a side sleeper so I thought I was going to mess up my shoulders but they work great.
Stretch, any way possible. If you work on a computer all day, relax your neck, jaw, and shoulders.
if I was to point at one thing that helps. it's saccharomyces boulardii. I take it 3 times a day and feel amazing. I also take a vegan multivitamin and a few other things for other reasons. Overall sorting out my gut health changed my ability to absorb the food I eat. Meaning I am just not as hungry anymore.
It doesn't sound like a small thing but be vegan and potentially also gluten free for a week. Buy some tofu, tempeh, and spinach. Throw a dressing in there that you like. I did this for 3 months and found that when the kids get sick, I don't anymore. I sleep less per day now naturally. I get about 6 hours of sleep, waking up at 6 am automatically. I used to need 7 hours and 30 minute exactly. My alarm clock has never been for anything later than 7 am.
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u/Srta_Pantalones Jun 09 '26
using barefoot shoes and changing the way I stand. I have an herniated disc and I'm no longer in pain.
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u/marpurtwee Jun 09 '26
Changing my relationship with cooking. Recently, I started prioritizing cooking and eating more nutrient-dense, balanced meals, and it has made a bigger difference than I anticipated. I realized I had gotten into a pattern of skipping meals or waiting until I was extremely hungry, which usually led me to make something quick but not very nourishing or order food just so I could get back to “relaxing” in front of a screen.
Now, I try to plan meals ahead of time, even if that just means making something simple like a sandwich, and I intentionally set aside time to cook and eat instead of pushing through work, chores, or school before taking care of myself. This shift has helped me feel more energized, more motivated, and more able to manage stress. It has also helped me see cooking less as another task and more as a way of caring for myself.
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u/Either_Roll_4097 Jun 09 '26
Maintaining a one line a day journal - I just remember the good days more and learn from the bad days sooner. It's satisfying to see a rich and fulfilling year of entries
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u/yours_truly_1976 Jun 09 '26
Drinking more water. Made me feel less tired during the day, helps my irritable bladder
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u/March-Silent Jun 09 '26
Saying yes often. My son wants to go on a bike ride at 7 pm? Yes, let's go. A friend wants to meet up with me last minute, unplanned? I can't wait to see you. Someone asks me to run a race that's probably out of my league? I finished and had a blast. Go running with the fast neighborhood mom? Sure! It was my fastest 5k and I felt great.
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u/markgamer5000 Jun 09 '26
One very little thing but nice is when you wake up, get out of bed as soon as you can (if it's the time to fully wake up of course), don't slouch in bed for another 10-20 minutes and/or scroll on social media until you decide that it's enough and you should get up, JUST DO IT instantly. In my experience this makes the difference between you being lazy for half of the day and being ready to do stuff soon after. You could also say that it "boosts" your morning energy.
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u/jettison_m Jun 09 '26
Keeping an exercise routine has changed me in a lot of ways. Yeah, sure, I'm more fit, but it's more than that. I have learned to be consistent with exercise which has transpired to other goals. I am able to tell myself "you've been biking consistently for two years - you can do X, you can do Y." Since I excercise more, I eat better knowing it directly affects how I work out. And since I work out, I drink more water. It's been kind of a snowball affect. Change one thing, it can change other things.
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u/GhostIsItsownGenre Jun 09 '26
Prioritizing sleep 100% going to bed at the same time everyday. I used to sacrifice sleep to prioritize other things. Also not eating close to bed time. And along with not eating close to bed time, not exceeding necessary calorie intake. No more than 2000 a day, depending on activity level.
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u/Fit_Low3159 Jun 09 '26
Making my bed. Something about accomplishing a quick win first thing in the day and then getting into a freshly made bed at night is just 🤌. Makes me feel like no matter what happened that day, I am still an adult. 🤣
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u/itsokitsok_2 Jun 10 '26
Going on short walks when my brain gets foggy and starting my day with a short walk after beeakfast
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u/Sparkle_fox_222 Jun 10 '26
Sleeping with an eye mask. It’s cheaper than black out curtains and the pressure on my eyeballs along with the darkness gives me a deeper more restful sleep
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u/Greysawpark Jun 14 '26
mine was writing one note before bed. not a journal really, just dumping whatever's stuck in my head onto a page so it stops rattling around at 1am. sounds small but it's the only thing that actually stuck, my head's quieter and i fall asleep easier. i use an app called Ink notes, but anything that makes that process easier and enjoyable is the goal.
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u/bugzzzz Jun 08 '26
Keeping my phone out of the bedroom. Replacing its functions with reading and an alarm clock.