Introduce the 5 Ways to Wellbeing into your life
‘The 5 Ways to Wellbeing’ can help you to look after your mental wellbeing and boost your resilience, which can improve your ability to cope with life’s challenges, your self-confidence and performance.
Scientific studies have shown that if you follow these five simple steps, your emotional wellbeing can improve.
> Connect > Be active > Keep learning > Give > Take notice
The steps you take don’t have to complicated, and you can tailor activities to suit you depending on how much time you have.
Here are some suggestions on how you can incorporate these five steps into your life…
> Connect
Got 1 minute?
Message a friend or family member. It doesn’t matter what you say, but people always appreciate it when you think of them.
Got an hour?
Spend time with a friend or family member; you can make a phone or video call if you’re not in the same household. You could join one of our Peer Support groups, which are currently being held online via Zoom, or try Mind’s online community, Side by Side.
> Be active
Got 1 minute?
Try holding the plank position for 1 minute – find out how to plank here. Or try any exercise for 60 seconds, like jogging on the spot, star jumps, push ups or sit ups.
Got an hour?
Take a leisurely walk around your local park to enjoy the fresh air, go for a run, or try an online stretching class. You can search for workouts on YouTube, or try our weekly online yoga class.
> Keep learning
Got 1 minute?
Go online and check out TED for short, powerful talks delivered by world’s leading thinkers and doers. Find a topic that interests you.
Got an hour?
Register for one of our online groups or workshops. Our weekly Arts and Culture Peer Support group takes you on a virtual tour of some of the world’s biggest museums and art galleries. We also run weekly Living Well Workshops where you can learn tools to manage stress and anxiety.
> Give
Got 1 minute?
Even the smallest action can make a big difference to you and someone else. Do a chore for your family, hold the door open for someone, ask the shopkeeper how they are, or take a moment to be grateful for something.
Got an hour?
Reach out to a friend who may need support and offer them a helping hand. Or do something for charity; there are various ways that you get involved with Kensington & Chelsea Mind and help those who are affected by mental health problems.
> Take notice
Got 1 minute?
Take notice of how you’re feeling right now. Concentrate on your breathing, watch your feelings, and notice the sensations in your body.
Got an hour?
Slow down and savour the moment. Take some time to practice meditation or mindfulness techniques. There’s a 10-minute mindfulness meditation video on our website, or there are lots of relaxing playlists on YouTube.
Author: Stewart Gillespie
Posted on: 2nd February 2021
