HEALTH & WELLBEING: Five Ways to Wellbeing – Take steps to look after your mental health

WE all have mental health, just like we have physical health and it’s important that we take steps to look after it. The following steps, known as the ‘Five Ways to Wellbeing’ are easy and can be incorporated into our daily lives almost straight away.

1. Be Active

Regular physical activity is associated with lower rates of depression and it doesn’t have to be intense to make a difference. Do as much or as little as you can – you could try walking, dancing, running, cycling or gardening.

2. Connect

People who are connected with family, friends or people living in their community are happier, physically healthier, live longer and generally have fewer problems mental health problems. To connect with others, you could join a group, help a friend, family member or colleague or try volunteering.

3. Give

It has been proven that people who offer an act of kindness once a week over a six-week period report an improvement in their wellbeing. Giving could be smiling at someone and saying thank you. It could be volunteering within the local community or doing something nice for a colleague or friend.

4. Keep Learning

People should never stop learning. Learning throughout life enhances self-esteem, increases confidence, encourages social interaction and generally leads to people having a more active life. Why not learn a new skill like cooking, playing an instrument, fixing a bike, photography or painting.

5. Take Notice

Life can be very busy with little time to stop and reflect. Studies have shown that when people are aware of what is taking place in the present it directly enhances well-being. People worry less about the future and what has happened in the past and can see what really matters, allowing them to make positive choices. Stopping and observing; spending time with friends and family; enjoying nature; and taking a different route home from work or the shops noticing what is different are all ways to take notice.