Five Ways to Well-Being

posted: 07/04/2011

Taking the following five actions in our day-to-day lives boosts our well-being, evidence shows. On the day that the draft standards for better mental health support for people living with HIV are launched, here's some simple steps to feel better and enjoy more of life.

 

 

 

 

 

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

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.

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.

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

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

Five Ways to Wellbeing, by the Centre for Wellbeing - slide show

draft Psychological Support Standards for adults living with HIV for comments and consultation 

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