How to do the 5 Ways to Wellbeing from Home

15 April 2020

We know that a lot of our community find the 5 Ways to Wellbeing helpful in maintaining recovery and staying well. So, if you're finding some of your usual self-care activities are unavailable at the moment, we hope you'll find these suggestions helpful.

Each weekday this month we've been sharing tips on our Facebook page for how to do the 5 Ways to Wellbeing from home.

Mondays: Keep Learning
Tuesdays: Connect
Wednesdays: Take Notice
Thursdays: Give
Fridays: Be Active

What are the 5 Ways to Wellbeing?

If you're not familiar with the 5 Ways to Wellbeing, they are the result of research by the New Economics Foundation, into how we can look after our mental health, just like we look after our physical health.

We all know that it's good for our physical health to eat 5 portions of fruit and veg a day, but what's the equivalent for mental health?

The answer is the 5 Ways to Wellbeing. A handful of proactive, positive things you can do right now to boost your everyday mental wellbeing.

Keep Learning: This doesn't have to be formal education, but anything that's new to you. Develop your skills, or explore a new one. Whether it's a big project like learning to play an instrument, or a smaller one like how to cook your favourite takeaway meal at home, learning boosts our confidence as well as being fun.

Connect: Connecting with loved ones, colleagues, neighbours and the wider community all contribute to us feeling part of something and knowing we have people we can turn to, and who appreciate our support in turn.

Take Notice: Bringing your attention to the present can help you take a break from worries about the past or future, and enjoy the moment. Take time to reflect on your experiences and appreciate what matters to you.

Give: Doing something nice for others gives us a boost too. Whether it's donating to a good cause, doing a good deed, or just sharing a smile, making a difference in your community can be incredibly rewarding.

Be Active: Movement is good for our mind as well as our bodies, whatever suits your level of mobility and fitness whether it's running, dancing, gardening, or walking the dog.