Staff Wellbeing: Five Ways to Wellbeing
The Five Ways to Wellbeing are a set of Public Health evidence-based actions which promote people’s wellbeing. They are: Connect, Be Active, Take Notice, Keep Learning and Give.
These activities are simple things individuals can do in their everyday lives.
Connect
Connecting is about building relationships, both old and new. Strong relationships with other people help you feel good and provide a sense of belonging. Being part of a strong social network helps to keep you healthy.
Connect…with the people around you, with family, friends, colleagues and neighbours.
Connect with people at home, work, school or in your local community. Think of the relationships you have with these people as the foundations of your life. Invest time in developing them. Building these connections will help support and enrich you every day.
Be active
Getting active is great for your mental wellbeing, as well as your physical health. It can help avoid negative thinking, increase your confidence, reduce your stress levels and boost your mood.
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 you enjoy and that suits your level of mobility and fitness.
Take notice
Taking notice of what is around you – and of what you are thinking and feeling – can help you feel in control, and reduce feelings of stress and anxiety.
Be curious. Catch sight of the beautiful. Remark on the unusual. 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
Learning something new can help you increase your self-confidence, feel good and improve your ability to cope with everyday problems. And as you learn you’ll probably notice you’re enjoying life a little bit more too. Learning new things will make you more confident as well as being fun.
Try something new. Rediscover an old interest. Sign up for that course. Take on a different responsibility at work. Fix a bike. Learn to cook your favourite food. Set a challenge you will enjoy achieving not one that is a chore.
Give
Participation in social and community life has attracted a lot of attention in the field of wellbeing research.
Individuals who report a greater interest in helping others are more likely to rate themselves as happy.
Research into actions for promoting happiness has shown that committing an act of kindness once a week over a six-week period is associated with an increase in wellbeing.
For more information visit - www.mind.org.uk - five ways to wellbeing
Download the 5 ways to wellbeing for sharing across your setting - Five Ways to Wellbeing PDF (cypsomersethealth.org)
5 Steps to Mental Wellbeing
Evidence suggests there are 5 steps you can take to improve your mental health and wellbeing. Trying these things could help you feel more positive and able to get the most out of life.
www.nhs.uk/mental-health/self-help/guides-tools-and-activities/five-steps-to-mental-wellbeing/
Page developed - April 2024
