Life-Changers

This is an essential list I feel have been life-changers for me. No, not the obvious: children, partners, friends, career etc but a list of the essentials JUST FOR ME: the things that have helped my health, well being and happiness.

Photo by Jessica Henderson on Unsplash

Life changers:

1.  Evening Primrose Oil. These golden capsules of loveliness have changed my life. No word of a lie. I take 1000ml a day, bursting them on my tongue as I hate swallowing big tablets- and goodbye PMT (OK not total adios but definitely, massively improved PMT going from a week (at least)  to a couple of days). What’s not to love? My GP also advised if I double the dose (so 2000ml) the week before I’m due and take Vitamin B6 too, that should help take me from 2 days of PMT to no days. I’m not a doctor so please ask yours, as medication, breastfeeding and pregnancy might affect whether you can take it or not. It has also changed some of my friends’ lives too and is recommended from the age of 12. No more chronic period pain, mood swings and crap cravings. Don’t worry you can still indulge in chocolate. See number 5.

2. The treadmill. I’ve mentioned my best friend, my dependable, rock solid mate in the form of a treadmill before and I’ll mention him again. That machine has improved my life. Not just cause I get into a UK size 10 skinny jeans now (although that’s awesome) but because it makes me brim with energy,  ready to take on the world. That release of endorphins is better than sex. OK it isn’t but it’s up there as one of the great highs. I thank my gorgeous Canadian friend Vanessa for giving me my mechanical friend (*concentrate) every day.

3. Krispy Kreme donuts or any donuts for that matter. Because I love my treadmill so, sometimes, just sometimes I can love me some of those rings of splendidness too. Now please Krispy Kreme, open a shop closer to my Yorkshire home. Ta. (picture above courtesy of Krispy Kreme).

4. My miracle, anti wrinkle collection of cremes from Creme de la Mer to Nivea anti aging night cream and bio oil, makes me utterly obsessed. My bathroom looks like Boots but as long as the face has halted to age, I’m happy.

5. Dark Chocolate. And only if it’s 70 percent or above, I’m smiling. Dark chocolate makes life better. Fact. And it’s not fattening. Errm, don’t think it is.

6. The Lake. I have a beautiful one near where we live and I walk round it with my little one several times a week. We feed the swans, they try to bite us, we laugh, we feed them some more, the seagulls attack, we have good times. Any lake, or country walk makes me feel amazing. I like to be close to nature and although I’m a city girl at heart, I know I need my country fixes too.

7. Low GI diet. I tend to eat this way (mostly) as it regulates my blood sugar, moods and makes me happy.  What it means basically is I cut out white bread and pasta and eat wholemeal varieties and tend to eat balanced meals, always including lean protein in my servings and not a lot of sugar. Easy. Why not try it?

8. Rescue Remedy. A concoction of (magical) flower remedies I stumbled upon in good ol’ Boots again, aged 11 which have so far got me through my GCSE’s, A levels, BA, MA, quite a few driving tests (*cough), my English wedding in South Africa, my Big Fat Greek Wedding in Leeds (to the same man), flying across the world solo, a screenwriting and directing career and last and definitely not least, having a baby.  Now if that doesn’t encourage you to purchase them, nothing will. Rescue Remedy is most definitely a life changer. The flower extracts relax, reduce anxiety and make the world a better place. Honest. I like the spray on your tongue Rescue Remedy variety, but they’ve cottoned on to how great they are and you can now buy everything from drops to pastilles and creams.

9. Tinie Tempah. That dude makes me happy. And my child. Yes I have to bleep through a few of his songs but Oliver and I could dance to him for eternity. My dream is to get him on the soundtrack to my movie. One day. One day, I tell you.

10. My iPhone. I know it shouldn’t be on here but who we kidding. It’s not just a phone and all that. Twitter, FB, errmm phone calls (remember those?) connecting me to my friends and family from India to LA.  Simply brilliant.

What are your life changers?

Photograph ©Vicki Psarias-Broadbent.