Foresight’s Mental Capital and Wellbeing Project has drawn on state-of-the-art research from across he world to consider how to improve everyone’s mental capital and mental wellbeing through life.
Evidence suggests that a small improvement in wellbeing can help to decrease some mental health problems and also help people flourish.
The Project commissioned the centre for wellbeing and the new economics foundation to develop “five ways to wellbeing”: a set of evidence-based actions to improve personal well being. They are:
Connect….
with people around you. With family, friends, colleagues and neighbours. At home, work, school or in your local community. Building these connections will support and enrich everyday life.
Be active….
Go for a walk or run, step outside. Cycle. Play a game, Garden, Dance. Exercising makes you feel good. Most importantly, discover physical activity you enjoy and that suits your level of mobility and fitness.
Take notice….
Be curious. Catch sight of what’s 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 and old interest. Sign up for that course. Take on a different responsibility in work. Fix a bike. Learn to play an instrument or how to cook yor favourite food. Set a challenge you 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 you time. Join a community group. Look ou, as well as in. Seeing yourself, and your happiness as linked to the wider community can be incredibly rewarding and creates connection with the people around you.
