Five steps to mental wellbeing

The NHS has created a wonderful ‘five steps to mental wellbeing graphic’, which does a brilliant job of helping us stay calm, balanced and centred during these tricky times.

Connect

Connect with the people around you – with family, friends, colleagues and neighbours – at home, work, school or in your local community.
Think of your life and invest time in developing these relationships. Building these connections will support and enrich you every day.

Ask yourself:

How would you know if you were connecting or just making contact?
What makes the difference?
Is there anything you can do more of?
Is there anything you’d like to do less of?
Can you think of connections that you would like to make or remake?

Keep learning

Try something new… Rediscover an old interest… Sign up for that course… Take on a different responsibility at work… Fix a bike. Learn to play an instrument or how to cook your favourite food… Set a challenge you enjoy achieving. Learning new things will make you more confident as well as being fun.

Ask yourself:

What do you think (attitudes and beliefs) about learning?
Would you like to learn something new each day?
What would you like to learn about?
What interests you; what do you value; what would be useful?
What do you need to do to make learning fun and something to look forward to?

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.

Ask yourself:

What activities do you engage in on a regular basis?
How would you like to develop these?
Who can support you to be more active at home or work?
What can you do together?
Are there any minor adjustments you can make in your life that can help you to be more active?

Give

Do something nice for a friend, or a stranger. Thank someone. Smile. Volunteer your time. Join a community group. Look out, as well as in. Seeing yourself, and your happiness, as linked to the wider community can be incredibly rewarding and creates connections with the people around you.

Ask yourself:

What do you give to others on a regular basis?
Do you notice what it’s like for you when you give to others?
What else could you give to others that you haven’t thought of before?
What do you give yourself?
How can you be more generous and appreciative to yourself?
What would really improve your experience of life

Take notice

Be curious. Catch sight of the beautiful. Remark on the unusual. Notice the changing seasons. Savour the moment, whether you are walking to work, eating lunch or talking to friends. Be aware of the world around you and what you are feeling. Reflecting on your experiences will help you appreciate what matters to you.

Ask yourself: