Five Ways to Wellbeing
The Five Ways to Wellbeing focuses on the positive actions people can undertake to improve and maintain good wellbeing with the actions creating a positive feedback loop.
Take Notice
Reflecting on experiences will help you appreciate what matters to you and others and allows you to act to improve life at work and home.
Notice the world around you. Be curious. Savour the moment. Be aware of what you and others are feeling.
You could:
- Get involved and support your colleagues, notice if they seem to be struggling or their mood is low and offer your support.
- Assess and manage your work life balance.
- Take part in workplace health and wellbeing events.
Be Active
Our minds and bodies are connected. Being active helps lift our mood and reduces stress, as well as being good for our physical health.
You don't need to sign up for a marathon - just walk to talk with a colleague rather than e mail or phoning them!
You could:
- Go for a walk at lunchtime
- Walk the dog
- Take the stairs
- Get back on your bike
- Put your favourite music on and dance around the house
- Do some gardening
Connect
Not having close personal ties poses the same level of health risk as smoking or obesity! So it's important to make time to connect with the people around you - family, friends, and neighbours or make new connections.
There are lots of opportunities to connect with others at work which can be positive for you and them.
You could:
- Ask how someone's weekend was an really listen
- Network with colleagues by joining the choir or running club
- Join social media
Give
Helping others makes us feel better too, whether it's a small, unplanned act or regular volunteering, it's a powerful way to boost our own happiness as well of those around us.
Investing your time in others will bring you a sense of satisfaction. Give some of your time at work to support colleagues by sharing your knowledge and skills.
You could:
- Try a daily act of kindness, even a smile counts!
- Share your skills or knowledge with a colleague or family member
- Volunteer at a one off event
- Give your time, care or attention
Keep Learning
Learning new things gives a sense of accomplishment, boosts self-confidence and can improve our social networks. Try something new or rediscover an old interest.
Investing in our learning makes us feel good and develops options for the future. Set yourself a challenge that you will enjoy.
You could:
- Identify the training and development you need for your job now or that may be useful in the future. Discuss this with your manager and create a development plan
- Learn an instrument
- or to crochet
- Take part in learning at work week
More information on how Five Ways to Wellbeing was developed and its impact is available from the New Economics Foundation.
