Five ways to wellbeing is an evidence-based approach to looking after your wellbeing. Developed by the New Economics Foundation and based on research, it suggests five steps for everyday living.
Step one: Connect
Your relationships with other people make a big difference to your wellbeing. Evidence shows that connecting with family, friends and the wider community increases your feelings of happiness and makes you feel valued for who you are.
Strong relationships allow you to share your feelings and feel that you are understood. They also provide an opportunity to share positive experiences and give and receive emotional support.
- Connect with people around you - family, friends, colleagues and neighbours, at home, at work and in your local community - and invest in these relationships
- Make the effort to call someone you haven’t been in contact with for a while
- Meet a friend for coffee
- Ask a colleague how their weekend was, and really listen when they tell you
Step two: Be active
Being active is great for your physical health and fitness, but evidence shows it can also improve your mental wellbeing. Studies have shown that getting active can help you sleep better and improve your mood. It can also reduce feelings of stress and anxiety and help you feel positive.
Getting active doesn’t have to mean taking up running or going to the gym every day. There are lots of simple things you can do to incorporate physical activity into your everyday life.
- Step outside for a walk, jog or run
- Do some gardening
- Try yoga or another active class in your community
- Use your lunch break to go for a walk with a colleague
Step three: Take notice
Too often, we rush our way through life without stopping to notice the simple things. Taking more notice of our surroundings and paying more attention to the present moment can improve your mental wellbeing.
It helps you to be aware of how you are feeling and what triggers feelings of anxiety or stress for you – and it can help you feel more positive about life by appreciating the world around you.
- Take a walk in the park and notice the trees, flowers and smells around you
- Visit a new place on your own or with friends
- Take a different route to or from work
- Notice and celebrate the changing seasons. Savour the moment
Step four: Learn
Learning doesn’t have to mean getting more qualifications. We’re always learning new things and often without realising it. Feeling like you are learning and developing as a person can boost your self-esteem and improve your mental wellbeing.
Learning not only gives you us a sense of purpose, but it often involves interacting with other people which is positive for your sense of social connection. Setting goals for learning can help you feel more in control of your life.
- Sign up for a course in the community
- Learn how to make a new recipe or how to play an instrument
- Rediscover an old interest
- Find out something new about your colleagues at work
Step five: Give
Some studies have shown that people who help others are more likely to rate themselves as happy.
Small acts of kindness towards other people - or bigger acts like volunteering in your local community - can give you a sense of purpose and help you feel happier in life.
- Ask friends, family or colleagues how they are and genuinely listen to their answer
- Volunteer with a community group
- Offer to help a neighbour with chores like gardening, a DIY project or shopping
- Help a colleague with something they're stuck on
