In today’s world it’s important to find ways to recharge the battery and look after our wellbeing and we don’t want to wait till we burn out before we tackle our wellbeing. As the new year begins, we review what we want to change and being well and keeping well is usually one of our top aims. Wellbeing can mean different things to people. Perhaps you want to get fit and healthy, or find exciting places to explore or spend more time with friends and family or maybe you just want to get some balance back so you can enjoy life to its fullest. Here are some tips to help you achieve this
Connect-The evidence shows that feeling close to and valued by other people is a fundamental human need. With this in mind, try to disconnect from phone and media and spend time with others or do something different:
- If you’re walking, running, cycling take time to say hi to people.
- Talk to the person in the shop, café, neighbour and ask how there day is or about the weather and really listen to the answer
Be active– Regular activity is great for health and fitness but did you know it’s also helpful in lowering depression and promoting wellbeing. It doesn’t have to be particularly intense for you to feel good but 10 minutes of a brisk walk changes our mood:
- Walk round the block/office at lunchtime or round the local shops
- Get outside for 10 minutes 5, walk from one meeting to another or a bit of the school run or park further away from the place your going and just walk a little bit of the journey so you can ‘connect’ with what’s going on round about you.
Take notice–Studies show that being aware of your surroundings directly enhances your wellbeing and savouring ‘the moment’ can help reaffirm your life priorities. You could:
- Take a different route to or from work or to the shops
- Visit a new place for lunch or just go somewhere peaceful for a few minutes in your day
Learn– Learning something new can enhance our self-esteem and encourage that vital social connection and helps us be more active life all at the same time
- Try learning or researching into something you’ve always wondered about
- Find out how to fix something or make something, DIY, cooking, hobby
- Take a class in something that you are interested in or makes you feel good
Sleep –This should be an obvious one, but a recent study shows that most of us are not getting enough sleep. You need about seven to eight hours of sleep a night, but most of us get about five to six.
- So even a few times a week go to bed an hour earlier. Those extra minutes can help improve your health.
- Create wind down time for yourself by pottering about and slowing down at least 30 minutes before bed don’t over stimulate your brain as that will stop you sleeping.
Talk – The biggest thing you can do to improve your mental health is talk to someone about how you are feeling. There is usually a friend, family member, colleague, neighbour or carer willing to listen, if you let them.
- Talking is a key way to let you know your not alone
- Others feel the same, and whatever it is, “is normal”
- Helps you work out ways to empower you to help yourself
Give- Community life attracts a lot of attention in wellbeing research. People who help others are more likely to rate themselves as happy. It’s not just about doing a good deed but volunteering helps us to stay active, meet new friends and do your bit to keep a sense of community and connection to the real world.