What a GP Lifestyle Medicine doctor spends on her wellbeing

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What a GP Lifestyle Medicine doctor spends on her wellbeing

Dr Lafina Diamandis is a GP, Lifestyle Medicine doctor and host of the Health Meets Home Podcast. Read on for what a GP spends on wellbeing from Vitamin D3 supplements, screen glasses and more…

What a GP spends on wellbeing

HOW MUCH DO YOU EARN

50k

HOW MUCH DO YOU SPEND ON YOUR WELLBEING PER MONTH?

£100-200

Exercise: £30/month – gym membership/online subscriptions during lockdown. I also love to do Yoga with Adrienne and with Shona Vertue who have a host of free classes on Youtube.

Relaxation: I love the Calm app Meditation £28.99/year or £2.40/month and always have a candle from Neom £16 to help me relax at home – my faves are the De-stress and Sleep scents. Pre-lockdown my monthly treat was a massage at Boutique Spa whose therapists do an awesome deep tissue (I buy a 10 pack so the massages work out £40/hour).

Nutrition: I’ve made a big effort to improve my diet this year by going plant-based. I shop locally to support local business and probably spend £80/month on fresh fruit and vegetables. I also take Vitamin D3 supplements 1000IU daily from November to March, otherwise I don’t really tend to use supplements in my diet.

Home & lifestyle: Not a monthly thing but I’ve bought some beautiful houseplants from my local garden centre during lockdown (£10-£30). I also invested in a pair of blue-light screen glasses from Izipizi (£40) as I was working such late shifts at NHS 111 and all the screen-time was starting to affect my sleep. I love trying out new skincare products but haven’t bought any for ages as I’m working my way through a hoard of gorgeous products from the Liberty beauty advent calendar which I was given as a gift last year.

What a GP spends on wellbeing: GYM MEMBERSHIP, PAY-AS-YOU-GO CLASSES OR BOTH?

Both! Pre-lockdown I’d use my gym for workouts and strength training then dip into Classpass or go to Indaba for Yoga classes. During the pandemic I’ve been lucky to enjoy free trials on fitness apps offered to NHS staff. One of these is Fiit which has an incredible variety of on-demand classes (£10/month) and I’ve really enjoyed trying out the dynamic pilates classes at Heartcore which are really challenging (prices from £5/class).

spends on wellbeing

HOW HAVE YOUR SPENDING HABITS CHANGED DURING LOCKDOWN?

At first I spent more than usual on food and wine, I think we all went through that phase when the trip to the supermarket was THE highlight of the week! You soon realise it’s not good for your health (or your bank balance) and reign it in. I also invested in a personal styling subscription from Stitchfix for a few months which was really good fun and helped me to find some key items that were missing from my wardrobe. Overall, I’ve developed healthier spending habits as I’ve been working more from home, spending less on takeaway food/drinks and have become more conscious of what I spend my money on.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST EXCITED ABOUT SPLASHING YOUR CASH ON WHEN THE LOCKDOWN LIFTS?

Travel and eating out with friends again!

ARE THERE ANY WELLNESS HABITS THAT YOU PICKED DURING LOCKDOWN THAT YOU WILL CONTINUE?

I stopped drinking caffeine just before the first lockdown. I was working really long hours and noticed that caffeine was causing symptoms like heartburn and palpitations which were really unpleasant. I invested in some great decaf coffee and started making alternatives like turmeric lattes which has now become my little morning ritual. I still have a proper coffee every now and again but love that I’m no longer reliant on caffeine to ‘wake up’ first thing in the morning. I’ve also really taken to journaling, it’s a great way to process ideas, thoughts and experiences and brings a healthier perspective to worries or negative thoughts.

WHAT IS THE MOST EXTRAVAGANT THING YOU’VE EVER DONE FOR YOUR WELLBEING?

A few years ago I went on a fitness retreat in Ibiza, it was the first time I’d ever done anything like that and the experience really kick-started some great health habits and made me realise just how crucial exercise, nutritious food and deep rest are in maintaining our health and wellbeing.

IF YOU DON’T WORK OUT REGULARLY AND EAT HEALTHILY HOW DO YOU FEEL?

Restless, unproductive and sluggish! Exercise and nutrition are key factors in maintaining our health and there is such a growing body of evidence now demonstrating the impact they have on our mental health too. I think that exercise, (or any kind of mindful movement) is vital for grounding and connecting us to the physical world and preventing us from getting too wrapped up in our own thoughts (one of the pitfalls to being human!).

ARE YOU READY TO TRAVEL YET? IF SO, WHAT HAVE YOU GOT PLANNED?

Definitely – as soon as it’s safe to do so! I haven’t seen my sister in months as she lives in LA so I’m planning to visit her asap. I’d also love to be able to do a yoga retreat somewhere hot this year!

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Hettie is the editor and co-founder of DOSE. A keen runner, she’s also partial to a blast of high-intensity and hot yoga. A country girl at heart, she divides her time between London and the lush rolling hills of North Devon. When she’s not jetting off on her next adventure, Hettie can be found in a candle-lit alcove with a laptop, a spaniel and a full bodied Malbec.

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