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5 ways to look after your mental wellbeing
There are five steps we can all take to protect and look after our mental wellbeing. They are called the Five Ways to Wellbeing.
They were developed by the New Economics Foundation. You can find more information about them here.
The Five Ways to Wellbeing are:
1. Connect
We get positive benefits and good feelings from connecting with people around us. Connecting with people can help you to build a sense of belonging and self-worth. It can also provide emotional support as well as you providing emotional support to others. See our ‘in your area’ page for local opportunities to connect with others.
2. Be active
Being physically active is good for our bodies and our minds. Being active releases chemicals in your brain that make you feel good. Did you know that regular activity helps reduce stress and anxiety, boosts confidence, and improves energy levels? Being active outdoors is even better. Expert studies show that being in nature can make us feel happier and reduce levels of depression and anxiety. See our ‘in your area’ page for local opportunities to be active.
3. Take notice
Pay more attention to the present moment, your thoughts/feelings, your body and the world around you. This can help improve your mental wellbeing (and is often called ‘mindfulness’). See our ‘in your area’ page for local opportunities to go visit local places and take notice of the beauty around us. Try one of our free mindfulness courses – see self-help courses. Mindfulness can help you enjoy life more and feel more positive about life.
4. Keep learning
Learning new skills can improve your mental wellbeing. It can improve your confidence and self-esteem. We recommend setting yourself a task that you will enjoy achieving, such as:
Taking on a new challenge to make or fix something.
Rediscovering an old hobby that challenges you, whether it’s writing stories, cooking, sewing, gardening or playing board games – see our ‘in your area’ page for information on local groups.
Try an online course, there are many free ones available – see our self-help courses.
5. Give
Doing something nice for a friend or a stranger is not only good for them, but it is also good for you. Expert studies suggest that being kind to others can help improve your mental wellbeing by giving you a sense of purpose and self-worth and creating positive feelings. It could be a small act of kindness or a large one, like volunteering. Being kind to yourself is just as important: it can improve our mental health by easing any stress or anxiety we may be feeling.
Last updated: 27.07.2022
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Resources to help you practice the Five Ways to Wellbeing
Below are some links to downloadable resources, courses and websites which provide information on local opportunities on how to incorporate the Five Ways to Wellbeing into your daily routine.
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Reading
Connect Postcard – Gwent Five Ways to Wellbeing
Five Ways to Wellbeing
Reading
Be Active Postcard – Gwent Five Ways to Wellbeing
Being Active, Five Ways to Wellbeing
Reading
Take Notice Postcard – Gwent Five Ways to Wellbeing
Five Ways to Wellbeing, Mindfulness
Reading
Keep Learning Postcard – Gwent Five Ways to Wellbeing
Five Ways to Wellbeing
Reading
Give Postcard – Gwent Five Ways to Wellbeing
Five Ways to Wellbeing
Reading
Connect Flashcard – Gwent Five Ways to Wellbeing
Five Ways to Wellbeing
Reading
Be Active Flashcard – Gwent Five Ways to Wellbeing
Being Active, Five Ways to Wellbeing
Reading
Take Notice Flashcard – Gwent Five Ways to Wellbeing
Five Ways to Wellbeing, Mindfulness
Reading
Keep Learning Flashcard – Gwent Five Ways to Wellbeing
The numerous benefits of physical activity for our bodies is well known. Such as reducing the risk of developing a number of diseases including heart disease, stroke and Type 2 diabetes, as well as being good for our minds.
If stress is affecting your life in a negative way there are things you can try to help yourself. Here is a collection of materials to help you cope with high stress levels.