Health and Safety · Health and Wellbeing · Mental Health
Five ways to Wellbeing
Connect
Evidence shows that good relationships, be they at home, work or in the community are important for our mental wellbeing as they allow us to share our feelings and feel understood. Spending time around people with good mental wellbeing can even enhance your own wellbeing. Taking time to nurture our existing relationships and make new connections can help us feel secure, happy and provides a sense of purpose. But when we are busy it can be hard to keep those connections going so some simple things you could try to connect:
- Switch off the TV and play a game instead
- Pick up the phone instead of sending an email
- Ask a colleague if they’d like to grab a coffee together
Be Active
The body and mind are more connected than people often think, and hence moving more can have a powerful impact on your mental wellbeing. Evidence has demonstrated a link between being active and having good mental wellbeing. Studies have shown that exercise can lead to improved sleep and release happy hormones. We don’t all enjoy, or have the ability to, pump iron or pound the pavement on a run so find something that fits around your lifestyle and what you enjoy. You could:
- Take a walk in the local park
- Instead of taking the lift, use the stairs!
- Do some squats whilst waiting for the kettle to boil.
- Find an online yoga video and try at home.
Take notice
As adults a lot of us are rushing around and fail to take notice of the world around us. Taking time to notice what is around us: the sights, sounds, smells and tastes and what is inside us: such as our feelings and thoughts can improve your mental wellbeing. Thinking about the present, instead of the past or future can help us enjoy and appreciate the world more. You could:
- Try a new craft activity
- Watch the sun set or an insect exploring
- Meditate or do a breathing exercise
Give
We know that helping others is great but did you know it can actually improve your own wellbeing by stimulating the reward areas in your brain, giving a sense of purpose and self worth. Giving can be in terms of time, money or other small acts of kindness. Some ideas you could try are:
- Volunteer your time
- Sign up as a blood donor
- Give a compliment (authentically)
Learn
Evidence shows that continuing to learn, no matter how old you are, improves our mental wellbeing. It can boost our self-confidence and provide opportunities to connect with others. It doesn’t have to be anything formal or academic, find something that interests you. Why not:
- Sign up for a cooking class
- Follow an online baking tutorial
- Learn to juggle
