Five Ways to Wellbeing

Mental wellbeing is all about feeling good and enjoying day-to-day life. What we do and the way we think strongly influences that. No matter how good you feel right now, there may be times when your wellbeing could do with a boost. 

Remember everyone can benefit from improvements to their wellbeing. From friends and family to schools and your workplace, making small changes to lead a healthier lifestyle will make a positive difference to the community around you.

Experts have put together five steps to wellbeing which can easily fit into your daily routine: 

Make a Connection

We all have a fundamental need to feel valued, so good social relationships can help us promote positive wellbeing. Building connections will support and enrich you every day, so invest time in developing them. This could be at home, work, school or in your local community.

Here are some examples of how you can start building and developing connections:

  • Speak to someone new - it may be nerve-wracking at first but getting to know people around you will make you feel settled and content
  • Ask how someone’s day was and really listen when they tell you
  • Give a colleague/friend a lift or meet them to get the train/bus together
  • Say hello to your neighbour

Be Active

One of the easiest ways to boost your mood and lower depression plus anxiety is to get active. You don't have to hit the gym five times a week or push yourself to the limit, slower paced activities such as a walk in the local park can make you feel good too. 

The most important thing is to find an activity that suits your level of mobility and fitness, and you enjoy. After all, when you enjoy something, it doesn't feel like a chore and you'll want to do it. 

Here are some ideas of how you could improve your level of activity:

  • Take the stairs when you can instead of the lift/escalator
  • Get off the bus a stop early and walk the rest of the way
  • Take your children to the park
  • See what activities are available at your local Better leisure centre by visiting better.org.uk

Take Notice

Being aware of what is taking place around you in the present can help to enhance your wellbeing. Whether you are on the train, talking to friends or walking, it’s important to take the time to savour the moment. Appreciating what you're doing at the time can help you to reaffirm your priorities.

So, value the moment by reminding yourself to take notice of these things:

  • Listen to the birds singing and notice any wildlife that’s around when you’re walking
  • Reflect on your day and experiences
  • Get a plant for your workspace
  • Have a clear-out and get rid of anything you don't need
  • Take a different route home

Keep Learning

It's never too late to learn something new and challenging yourself can enhance your self-esteem. From encouraging social interaction and more active life to setting a challenging target, achieving that target and learning new skills, your confidence will increase. As well as learning something completely new, you could also rediscover a new interest.

So why not try one of these?

  • Booking onto a course
  • Cooking a new food dish
  • Learning to play a musical instrument
  • Do a puzzle or crossword

Give

Whether you give to charity or volunteer, an act of kindness can increase your wellbeing and help you connect with others. You'll feel rewarded in terms of your sense of purpose and scale of happiness.

Here are some examples of how you can help others:

  • Doing something kind for a friend, work colleague or stranger
  • Smile at people 
  • Join a community group
  • Volunteer at a local charity shop

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