According to research by the New Economics Foundation, there are five key ways to wellbeing: Connect, Be Active, Take Notice, Keep Learning, and Give.
How to get your 5 a day
We’ve shared below a range of ideas on how you can introduce the five ways to wellbeing into your every day routine. What additional ideas can you think of to enhance your wellbeing?
Connect: Connecting with the people around us is a great way to remind ourselves that we’re important and valued by others.
Here are some suggestions for staying connected:
- Arrange a virtual movie night with friends using a streaming service.
- Organise a book club and discuss a new book each month.
- Plan a potluck dinner where everyone brings a dish to share.
- Start a weekly video call with family members to catch up.
- Host a Blue Cake Day.
- Create a shared photo album to document winter memories.
- Join a local community group or club that interests you.
- Write and exchange letters with a pen pal.
- Volunteer together with friends at a local charity.
- Attend local events or workshops to meet new people.
Be active: We know that there’s a link between staying active and positive mental health and wellbeing.
By making sure we are regularly moving our bodies, we can look after our mental and physical health at the same time.
Here are some ways to be active:
- Step outside every day, even if it’s just for a quick breath of fresh air
- Add stretches or gentle movements to your daily routine.
- Join a local walking or hiking group.
- Set up a home workout routine with online videos.
- Go sledding or build a snowman if it snows.
- Learn tai chi to stay flexible and relaxed.
- Explore a new park or nature reserve.
- Participate in a charity run or walk.
- Dance in your chair to your favourite music.
- If you can, wrap up warm and explore your local area.
Take Notice: Taking notice of our thoughts, emotions and surroundings is a great way to stay present and pay attention to our needs
Here’s some suggestions around taking notice:
- Spend time birdwatching in your local area.
- Try mindful colouring or drawing.
- Take photos of nature and create a seasonal photo diary.
- Create a sensory garden with winter plants and herbs.
- Listen to the sounds of nature, like rain or wind.
- Start a daily gratitude journal.
- Practice mindfulness meditation for a few minutes each day.
- Keep a diary of your thoughts and feelings.
- Take a moment each day to appreciate something beautiful around you.
- Watch the sunrise or sunset and reflect on your day.
Keep learning: Learning new things is a good way to meet new people and boost our self confidence, which in turn improves our mental health and wellbeing.
Here are some ideas to keep learning:
- Enroll in an online course on a topic that interests you.
- Learn a new language using apps or online resources.
- Take up a new hobby like knitting, painting, or cooking.
- Read a book on a subject you know little about.
- Attend local lectures or webinars.
- Watch documentaries on various topics.
- Join a local class or workshop.
- Learn to play a musical instrument.
- Follow educational YouTube channels.
- Participate in a local history or nature walk.
Give: Research has found a link between doing good things and an increase in wellbeing.
Here are some suggestions to give more
- Donate warm clothing or blankets to a local shelter.
- Bake treats and share them with neighbours or friends.
- Offer to help a neighbour with their winter chores.
- Volunteer at a food bank or soup kitchen.
- Make handmade gifts for loved ones.
- Organise a community clean-up event.
- Share your skills by teaching a class or workshop.
- Write positive reviews for local businesses.
- Donate books or toys to a children’s hospital.
- Support a local charity with a donation.