Five Ways to Wellbeing: Simple Steps to Improve Your Mental Wellbeing
We all have a sense of when we are mentally and physically well. But sometimes we need extra support or a gentle nudge to look after ourselves so that we keep well.
The New Economics Foundation has assessed the latest scientific evidence and created a set of simple actions to improve wellbeing in every day life.
By adopting the Five Ways to Wellbeing you can increase your life expectancy by up to 7.5 years. With one in four people today experiencing mental distress during their lifetime, there’s never been a better time for you to take responsibility for maintaining good mental health and wellbeing.
So what are the Five Ways?
The Five Ways to Wellbeing are evidence based ways to help you improve your mental wellbeing. Try to integrate them into your daily life – think of them as your “5 a day” for mental wellbeing!
- Connect
… with the people around you. With family, friends, colleagues and neighbours. At home, work, school or in your local community. Think of these as the cornerstones of your life and invest time in developing them. Building these connections with support and enrich you every day. - Be Active
Go for a walk or run. Step outside. Cycle. Play a game. Garden. Dance. Exercising makes you feel good. Most importantly, discover a physical activity that you enjoy; one that suits your level of mobility and fitness. - Take Notice
Be curious. Catch sight of the beautiful. Remark on the unusual. Notice the changing seasons. Savour the moment, whether you are on a train, eating lunch or talking to friends. Be aware of the world around you and what you are feeling. Reflecting on your experiences will help you appreciate what matters to you. - Keep Learning
Try something new. Rediscover an old interest. Sign up for that course. Take on a different responsibility at work. Fix a bike.
Learn to play an instrument or how to cook your favourite food. Set a challenge you will enjoy achieving. Learning new things will make you more confident, as well as being fun to do. - Give
Do something nice for a friend, or a stranger. Thank someone. Smile. Volunteer your time. Join a community group. Look out, as well as in. Seeing yourself, and your happiness, linked to the wider community can be incredibly rewarding and will create connections with the people around you.
Building the ‘Five Ways to Wellbeing’ into a Healthy Lifestyle
