Research shows that there are five things which are key to improving your mental wellbeing. These are steps which can be taken by anyone, and have even been recommended by the NHS.
Connecting
Having strong relationships with others is key for your wellbeing. Whether you connect with friends, family or co-workers, having a strong support network is key. This is because loneliness can lead to mental illnesses such as depression. After all, humans are social animals.
Some simple ways you can connect with others are:
- Reach out to someone who you haven’t spoken to in a while.
- Make time to have regular catch ups with your friends.
- Make time to eat a meal or play a game with the people you live with.
At Wellbeing in Your Office, we can help you connect with others through our group classes and workshops, which include virtual cook-alongs, yoga classes, and mindfulness workshops.
Movement
We all know that exercise is great for your physical health, but it can also improve your mental health. This is because it is thought that exercise triggers the release of mood boosting hormones like serotonin and dopamine. It can also give you a sense of purpose, and improve your self-esteem.
Movement can be anything, from walking to going to the gym, but it’s best to choose something you will enjoy. At Wellbeing in Your Office, we love yoga. Yoga is a great way to relieve stress as it helps you to relax as you focus on your breathing. It also improves your strength and flexibility. You can find out more about our yoga services here.
Learning new skills
Learning new skills gives you something to focus on, which can be a great way to distract yourself from depressive or anxious thoughts. It can also give you a sense of purpose and help you to meet new people.
Choose something that you think you would really enjoy, and don’t be afraid to try lots of different activities. You never know what might become your new passion. Some good examples to try would be mindfulness meditation, yoga, or cooking.
Giving to others
Giving to other people can improve your wellbeing because it gives you a sense of achievement and can help you to meet new people. The added bonus of this pillar is that it doesn’t just improve your wellbeing, it improves the wellbeing of others too.
Some simple ways to do this are:
- Donating to charity.
- Helping someone you know out with a task.
- Volunteering.
You could also aim to do one random act of kindness each day. Mindfulness can also help you give to others because it can teach you to be more compassionate and show gratitude.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness is a type of meditation which aims to bring awareness to how you are feeling, both physically and mentally, in the present moment. This self-awareness has many benefits, including improved mood, reduced stress, and better decision making and focus.
Practicing mindfulness has its own set of benefits, but also helps you to implement the other four pillars. If you’re interested in starting mindfulness please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We’d love to help get you started on your journey- you can check out our mindfulness services here.
These pillars may seem overwhelming at first, but you can start small and implement them one-by-one. Think about which of these pillars you don’t currently have in your life, and make a pledge to yourself to make time for it on regular basis- even if its just a few minutes a day to begin with. With these five pillars, you can be on your way to a happier and healthier you.
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