Five ways to Wellbeing

Why is mental wellbeing important?

Mental wellbeing is the foundation for a positive outlook on life. Although it does not mean that we are happy all the time, it does mean that we are more resilient and able to cope with life’s ups and downs.

Evidence shows that there are five key elements which contribute to mental wellbeing. Below you can read about the Five Ways to Wellbeing and find further ideas to help you improve your enjoyment of life, self-confidence and engagement with the world around you. Click on each of the five symbols to learn more.

Connect

Connect with others to feel supported and valued.

Make time in your day or your week to connect with others, stay in touch, and to give and receive emotional support. Sharing conversation and experiences can boost your mood. It can help us feel part of a bigger picture in which we all play a valuable part. Being in touch with people who are optimistic can also change your perspective for the better, leaving you feeling positive.

How much time do you have to connect?

Click on a time frame below:

Want to make a regular commitment?

Got 5 minutes?

Text a friend – people appreciate it when you think of them
Arrange to meet up with a friend or colleague
Say hi to a neighbour

Got 30 minutes?

Meet friends or family for a walk in the great outdoors
Arrange a coffee with a colleague to check in on their week

If you’d like to connect with more people, explore tips that can help. Different things work for different people, so try to find what works for you, and seek further support if you feel you need it

Got 1 hour?

Switch off the TV and share the events of your day: the best thing that happened, the funniest thing and anything you did not enjoy
Have a screen-free day and dig out the family board games
Revive friendships that have fallen by the wayside
Look for local clubs and interest groups in your area. Hobbies are a great way to find like-minded people
Join a Chat About group at your local library

Want to make a regular commitment?

Help out or volunteer at a community group, event, local school or organisation
Help others who need company or support, such as vulnerable neighbours, especially those who live alone. Why not join a befriending scheme?
Keep communicating and know when to ask for help if you are having difficult thoughts and feelings

Be active

Move your body to feel good, both physically and mentally.

Any activity that gets you moving or enjoying the great outdoors is good for wellbeing including walking, gardening, having a kickabout in the park or simply taking the stairs.

There are mood-boosting benefits to being active as well as health gains. Read more about how to improve your mental health using exercise

To make an activity work for you, make sure it’s one you enjoy and break it down into manageable steps, building up over a few weeks or months. Finding an exercise buddy can also be motivating so consider sharing an activity with a friend.

How much time do you have to be active?

Click on a time frame below:

Want to make a regular commitment?

Got 5 minutes?

Download Active 10, an app that helps you to get started and achieve a manageable goal
Discover Better Health which offers a range of ideas to get you moving more
Search Walking for Health to find your local walking group or enjoy time outdoors in one of the county’s beautiful country parks
Get off the bus one stop early to get in some extra steps.

Got 30 minutes?

Visit Get Fit for Free for tips to get you started
Take a look at Energise Me for tips on how to get active
Check out We Are Undefeatable which supports people with long-term health conditions to be active in ways which work for you
Get pedalling - why not cycle to the shops instead?

Got 1 hour?

Healthier Families is a family and kids-based activity programme to get the whole family moving
Discover activities at your local leisure centre, gym or sports club
Get in training at your local Park Run – it’s free every Saturday and covers a 5k course
Give back to the environment and join a local conservation group. You’ll be active outside and meet new people too

Want to make a regular commitment?

Couch to 5K is an app that helps you to get started and achieve a manageable goal
Explore the great outdoors and get active in the beautiful Hampshire countryside
Men interested in improving fitness through a regular game of football can register their interest in ManvFat Football in Hampshire
Keep doing the things you love in later life by doing strength and balance exercises at Steady and Strong classes.

Keep learning

Keep learning to gain self-confidence and a sense of purpose.

Learning adds to your skills and keeps your brain active, increasing your self-confidence and inspiring others.

People who continue to learn after leaving formal education report a greater sense of wellbeing, purpose and self-esteem, and, of course, it brings people who share the same interests together.

Learning can take many forms from simple tasks to ambitious projects, but they can all be rewarding.

How much time do you have to keep learning?

Click on a time frame below:

Want to make a regular commitment?

Got 5 minutes?

Look up a new recipe or watch a YouTube video to learn how to do something new
Check out Open Learn which offers free online learning courses on a variety of topics

Got 30 minutes?

Catch up on a documentary on a subject that interests you
Reserve some books from the library to help get a hobby off the ground or make the most of <href="#dl-borrowing">e-books and audio books</href="#dl-borrowing">
Brush up your digital and numeracy skills for free with The Skills Toolkit

Got 1 hour?

Get started on a new hobby or commit to something you have always wanted to do. Why not try something creative?
Listen to a podcast or a TED talk – there are over 3,400 talks to stir your curiosity and there’s bound to be one on a topic that interests you
Explore Hampshire Cultural Trust’s museums, workshops and events
Explore new career opportunities - CXK offers free, professional careers information, advice and guidance to help you move forward with your career

Want to make a regular commitment?

Sign up for an online course and set yourself a learning goal - many adult and community classes are now up and running
Learn a new language or dust off an old one with a free online course - learning with an online programme such as Duolingo is fun and addictive, with effective bite-sized lessons

Give

Helping others can create positive feelings and boost wellbeing.

Helping others, whether through small acts of kindness or a regular commitment to volunteering, is proven to be good for mental wellbeing. If you have some time on your hands, there are many organisations that depend on volunteers - a regular slot will help you to build your social networks.

This Kindness Matters guide produced by the Mental Health Foundation also includes suggestions that may inspire you.

How much time do you have to give?

Click on a time frame below:

Want to make a regular commitment?

Got 5 minutes?

Check on an elderly neighbour to offer your time or support
Buy an extra item with your shopping if you can afford to and donate to your local foodbank
Pay someone a compliment and make their day

Got 30 minutes?

Research Hampshire County Council’s volunteering opportunities

Got 1 hour?

Set up or help out with a community group or activity
Do some shopping for someone who may need support
Help plant a woodland or hedgerow with the Hampshire Forest Partnership and give the gift of nature to the next generation.

Want to make a regular commitment?

Volunteer to help local wildlife, whilst being active outdoors and protecting your local area
There are many other local volunteering opportunities – find one that works for you
Lend your support to a cause that matters to you

Take notice

Being in the present moment can positively change the way you feel about life

Mindfulness is a technique that has been proven to help manage stress and promote wellbeing. Being mindful means staying in the present moment, being aware of your body and the physical world around you. This helps you in turn to let go of worries about what has passed or what may happen in the future. It can be a useful tool in developing a positive mindset and dealing with difficult thoughts and feelings.

How much time do you have to be mindful?

Click on a time frame below:

Want to make a regular commitment?

Got 5 minutes?

Pay more attention to the present moment, your own thoughts and feelings
Take the first step to find out about mindfulness
Watch this short video on mindful breathing
These mental health and wellbeing NHS approved apps and audio guides can help boost your mood. Other mindfulness apps such as Headspace, CALM or Insight Timer are available.

Got 30 minutes?

Find a book or podcast to guide you through mindfulness practices
Check out Better Health for expert advice and practical tips on how to look after your mental health and wellbeing including how to deal with stress, manage anxiety and lift your mood.
Get outside and notice the birds! Research shows birdwatching connects us with nature and lowers anxiety.

Got 1 hour?

Research more about mindfulness and how it could help your mental wellbeing
Find a book for your child in the Mental Health and Wellbeing reading list from Hampshire Libraries’ When a Book Might Help reading list
Reading Well booklists can help you find titles to read that help you understand and manage your wellbeing
Why not try forest bathing? Mindfulness in nature can calm the mind, helping us to become more present.

Want to make a regular commitment?

Find an online community, a group at work or a mindfulness buddy to help motivate you to bring this technique into your life
Start or finish your day with ten minutes of mindfulness to help you focus on the present and manage difficult thoughts
Consider incorporating yoga or tai-chi into your week to help with mindfulness breathing or try gentle walking to calm a busy mind
Whether you're concerned about yourself or a loved one, go to Mental Wellbeing Hampshire to find local advice and support

There are other steps we can all take to improve our mental wellbeing. Mental Wellbeing Hampshire provides information and resources for a range of issues and experiences. It includes advice on looking after yourself, help for children and families, support for money worries and crisis prevention.

Back to Basics empowers parents and carers to support their child’s emotional wellbeing using the framework of the Five Ways to Wellbeing. If you're a parent or carer find out more.

Disclaimer: please note that information, websites, resources and apps are suggestions only and are not endorsed by Hampshire County Council.