Wellbeing is a very popular topic - and rightly so, because it really matters. In recent months, there’s been a trend of people Googling ‘wellbeing activities’ but people have also been searching for ‘wellbeing definition’. To understand the importance of wellbeing and how to nurture it, it’s crucial to know what it is!
In short, wellbeing is feeling physically and mentally well. Taking good care of your wellbeing would result in a life you’re satisfied with, a sense of purpose, and the ability to cope with mental difficulties such as stress.
So, now you know what it is - but how do you take care of your own wellbeing? The NHS recommends the Five Step Plan, which consists of the following:
Connect with other people
Connecting with others is crucial for your wellbeing, sense of belonging, and social skills.
Making these connections allows you to form relationships that serve a variety of purposes. This could be for emotional support, entertainment, education, a means of giving back (if you’re volunteering for instance), physical activity, and shared interests.
Be physically active
The NHS recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity a week or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity activity a week. Physical activity can reduce risk of major illnesses, including heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and cancer by up to 50% and lower your risk of early death by up to 30%.
Research also shows that exercise has the power to boost self-esteem, mood, sleep quality and energy, as well as reducing your risk of stress, depression, dementia and Alzheimer's disease. So, it’s no wonder that being physically active is on the wellbeing list.
Learn new skills
Learning new skills is a great way to keep your brain stimulated, boost self-confidence, and provide an opportunity to connect with others. You could also find a new hobby you enjoy or learn something that saves you time and money.
Give to others
Being kind feels great. It allows you to be the very source of positivity whilst providing a sense of reward and self-worth. Studies have also found that acts of kindness are linked to increased feelings of wellbeing.
Pay attention to the present moment (mindfulness)
Living in the present moment allows you to appreciate and understand exactly where you are, who you’re with, what you think, and how you feel. This technique/approach is also referred to as mindfulness, which you can read more about here.
We hope you have the knowledge to understand the importance of wellbeing as well as how to enhance and maintain it. If you think you need some more support in managing your wellbeing, don’t hesitate to contact us.
