Steps to Wellbeing
Very often, we hear people using steps to wellbeing as a synonym for wellness and vice versa. Although they have similarities, these two don’t represent the same thing. This because, wellness relates primarily to our physical state, which is very much affected by our mental, emotional, spiritual state, while well-being relates to our mental, emotional, and spiritual state that is impacted by our physical health. Fun fact: in Chinese, wellness is translated as “healthy” or “nurturing life” while well-being is described as “happiness” or “a sense of blessedness”. In summary, we need wellness, a method, to get too emotional and mental well-being, the final destination.
Steps to Wellbeing
Five Steps to Wellbeing
Below are five things that, according to research, can really help to boost our mental well-being:
Steps to Wellbeing = Connect
Connect with people around you: your family, friends, colleagues, and neighbours. Because when it comes to our well-being, other people really matter. We, human being, are social animals and relationships build a sense of belonging and self-worth. Strong relationships with family and friends allow us to share our feelings and know that we are understood. They provide an opportunity to share positive experiences and can give us emotional support. They also give us a chance to support others – something else that is known to promote mental wellbeing.
Building relationships for well-being means:
Strengthening your relationships with people who are close to you, such as family and friends,
Broadening your relationships in your community and the wider world.
There are lots of ways to build stronger and closer relationships:
If possible, take time each day to be with your family. This could include a fixed "family time" each day,
Arrange a day out with friends you haven't seen for a while,
Switch off the TV and play a game with the children, or just talk,
Make the effort to phone people sometimes – it's all too easily to get into the habit of only ever texting, messaging or emailing people,
Speak to someone new today,
Have lunch with a colleague,
Visit a friend or family member who needs support or company,
Volunteer at a local school, hospital, or community group,
Make the most of technology – video chat apps like Skype and FaceTime are a great way of staying in touch with friends and family, particularly if you live far apart.
Steps to Wellbeing = Be Active
Being active is great for your physical health and fitness, and evidence shows that it can also improve your mental well-being. You might think that the mind and body are separate, but what you do with your body can have a powerful effect on your mental well-being. In addition, evidence shows that there is a link between being physically active and good mental well-being. Being active doesn’t mean you need to spend hours in the gym if that doesn't appeal to you.
Adults aged 19 and over should do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity – such as fast walking or cycling – a week. Find activities that you enjoy, then make them a part of your life. You can check Happies’ posts on exercising for some inspiration.
Steps to Wellbeing = Keep Learning
Learning new skills can be useful as steps to wellbeing and research shows it can also improve our mental health. It doesn’t have to mean getting more qualifications. Many people associate learning with childhood or our student days. As adults, it can seem as though we have less time or need to learn new things. But evidence shows that continuing to learn throughout life can improve and maintain our mental well-being. Learning can boost self-confidence and self-esteem, help build a sense of purpose, and help us connect with others. Classes and formal courses are great ways to learn new things, but there are lots of other ways too. You might:
Learn to cook a favourite dish that you’ve never eaten at home. Check out Happies food blog for lots of healthy recipes.
Visit a gallery or museum and learn about a person or period in history that interests you,
Take on a new responsibility at work, such as learning to use an IT system or understanding the monthly reports,
Fix your broken bike or garden gate.
Sign up for a course you’ve been meaning to do at a local night school. You might learn a new language, or try something practical, such as plumbing.
Steps to Wellbeing = Give to Others
Most people would agree that giving to others is a good thing and it is an important part of the steps to welleing. On top of this, it can also improve your mental well-being. Small acts of kindness towards other people, or larger ones – such as volunteering in your local community – can give you a sense of purpose. It can make you feel happier and more satisfied with life. Sometimes, we think of well-being in terms of what we have: our income, our home or car, or our job. But evidence shows that what we do and the way we think have the biggest impact on mental well-being. Helping and supporting other people, and working with others towards a shared goal, is good for our mental wellbeing.
Say thank you to someone, for something they’ve done for you,
Phone a relative or friend who needs support or company,
Ask a colleague how they are and really listen to the answer,
Offer to lend a hand if you see a stranger struggling with bags or a pushchair,
Arrange a day out for you and a friend or relative,
Offer to help a relative with DIY or a colleague with a work project,
Sign up for a mentoring project, in which you give time and support to someone who will benefit from it,
Volunteer in your local community, such as helping out at a local school, hospital or care home.
Steps to Wellbeing = Be Mindful
It can be easy to rush through life without stopping to notice much. But, paying more attention to the present moment – to your own thoughts and feelings, and to the world around you – can improve your mental health and is one of the steps to wellbeing. Some people call this awareness "mindfulness". Mindfulness can help us enjoy life more and understand ourselves better. In addition, becoming more aware of the present moment can help us enjoy the world around us more and understand ourselves better. Because, when we become more aware of the present moment, we begin to experience afresh things that we have been taking for granted.
Reminding yourself to take notice of your thoughts, feelings, body sensations and the world around you is how you approach mindfulness.
