Our mental health is important. By looking after it, we can
feel happier, more positive and are better equipped to
get the most out of life. Research shows there are five simple
things we can do as part of our daily lives
to boost our mental health and wellbeing.
These are called the Five Ways to Wellbeing.
Connect
Connect with those around you; with family, friends,
colleagues and neighbours. Look to spend meaningful time
with people each day. Instead of sending an email,
talk to someone. Speak to someone new, ask how someone's weekend was and really
listen when they tell you. Arrange a catch up with friends.
Join a club or group of people who share a common interest.
Put five minutes aside to find out how someone really is.
Think of these connections as the cornerstones of your life
and invest time in developing and strengthening them.
Building these connections will support and enrich you
every day.
Be active
Look for ways to be active every day
Go for a walk or a run
Step outside
Stretch
Cycle
Play a game
Do some gardening
Dance! Most importantly, discover a physical
activity you enjoy and that suits your level of mobility
and fitness. Being active every day causes changes in
our brain which can positively affect our mood.
Exercising makes you feel good.
Take notice - to take notice is to be present in the here and now.
Pay attention to the world around you: nature,
people, your thoughts and feelings. Be curious.
Catch sight of the beautiful Remark on the unusual
Notice the changing seasons
Savour the moment
Becoming more aware of the present moment and reflecting on your
experiences will help you appreciate what matters to you.
Keep learning - keep learning is about learning new skills and information
about topics that interest us. We can keep
learning by: trying something new
Rediscovering an old interest, or signing up for a course
Fixing a bike
Taking on a new responsibility at work or learning to play a musical instrument
Trying a new recipe
Set a challenge you enjoy achieving. Learning can make you more confident
and boost your self-esteem - it can also be fun!
Give - giving is about small acts of kindness for other people.
Whether that be your time, patience, words, or a smile, the smallest
act can count.
Do something nice for a friend or a stranger
Thank someone
Smile
Make someone a cup of tea
Sign up for volunteering
Donate to charity
Offer to help someone with a project
Ask a friend or someone you work with how they are
and really listen to the answer.
Giving back to others can create positive feelings
and help us feel more satisfied with life.
Seeing yourself, and your happiness, as linked to the wider community
can be incredibly rewarding and create connections with the people around you.