There are lots of different ways to support your own health and wellbeing. The 5 Ways to Wellbeing provides a foundation of 5 practical ways than can help you to feel more positive.
The 5 Ways are:
- Be Active
- Connect
- Give
- Learn
- Take Notice
The poster below has more details on each of the 5 Ways and we've pulled together some ideas that you can use.
SP Mental Health 5 Ways (PDF, 202 Kb)
Be Active
Getting Active and staying active can have a real positive impact on your mental wellbeing, even as little as 10 minutes brisk walking can make a difference. Key is finding something that you enjoy doing and include a mix of activities.
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Our Activity and COVID section provides ideas for getting active inside and outside of the home. Please ensure you comply with all Government restrictions and guidance in relation exercise outside of your home.
Connect
Connecting is all about developing and growing your social relationship, helping you to build a strong support network around you. During lockdown these relationships are especially important. Try making use of technology to video call family and friends to check in and see how they are doing. Or ringing those family members who do not have access to technology.
Use technology to get creative when spending time with family and friends, try playing board games, having dinner together or may be start a virtual book club. If you live with others consider making a fixed time when you do things together such eating lunch.
In line with government guidance you can currently meet with one other person for exercise. For more information on this guidance visit the Gov.uk website
Give
Volunteering your time to help others can help you feel happier and more connected to your local community. Volunteering can take as much or as little time as you like and even simple acts of kindness can make a big difference.
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As part of the response to the Coronavirus Pandemic Oadby & Wigston Borough Council have establish a Community Hub to help residents. If you are interested in volunteering visit the website for more information.
Volunteering Opportunities with us
We provide a variety of voluntary opportunities, for more information visit our volunteering section.
Voluntary Action Leicestershire
Bringing together volunteering organisations across Leicestershire, Voluntary Action Leicestershire provides a variety of information, advise and training courses for volunteers and organisations that support them.
Learn
Learning new skills or refreshing old ones can help to focus your mind and provide some structure to your day. New skills could come in many different forms, learning languages, a course you've always wanted to take, tackling puzzles. It's also an opportunity to get creative, you could try things like colouring books, painting, going for a photo walk using your mobile, dancing, knitting, sewing, singing and many more.
Leicestershire Adult Education
Leicestershire County Council offer a number of adult education courses through their Go Learn programme. Courses range from employability skills, languages and arts & craft activities. You may also be able to get financial support to help with the cost of a course.
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U Matter Leicester run a number of virtual events to help you get creative, including art sessions, creative writing and comedy sessions.
Take Notice
Taking notice is all about reminding yourself of the small things in life. It's about starting to think mindfully and reflecting on the environment around you. Small things can make a big difference.
Consider reviewing your workspace and see if you can declutter it or freshen it up with simple things, like a houseplant. Consider a mindful journal or downloading an app (there are many paid or free apps that can be used) to take some time reflecting how your feeling and learning how to practice mindfulness.
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The NHS website provides more details on mindfulness and how you can learn to practice it.
