Connect
With the people around you, connect with family, friends and neighbours. At home, in school, at work or in your local community. Think of these as the cornerstones of your life and invest time in developing them. Building these connections will support and enrich you every day.
Be active
Go for a walk or run. Step outside. Cycle. Play a game. Garden. Dance. Exercising makes you feel good. Most importantly, discover a physical activity you enjoy; one that suits your level of mobility and fitness.
Take notice
Be curious. Catch sight of the beautiful, remark on the unusual, Notice the changing seasons. Savour the moment, whether you are on a train, 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 an old interest. Sign up for that course. Take on a different responsibility at work. Fix a bike. Learn to play an instrument or how to cook your favourite food. Set a challenge you will enjoy achieving. Learning new things will make you more confident, as well as being fun to do.
Create or give
Do something nice for a friend, or a stranger. Thank someone. Smile. Volunteer your time. Join a community group. Look out, as well as in. Seeing yourself, and your happiness, linked to the wider community can be incredibly rewarding and will create connections with the people around you.
The actions were developed by the New Economics Foundation in 2008.
Applying the Five Ways to Wellbeing
The PAVO Mental Health team looked at the actions in relation to their own day-to-day lives, here.
Powys Association of Voluntary Organisations looked at the Five Ways in relation to the workplace.
Five members of the Engage to Change sub-group, of the Powys Mental Health Planning & Development Partnership, wrote about their experiences of the Five Ways to Wellbeing.
Other people and organisations have explored what the Five Ways to Wellbeing mean to them. Link to their stories below.
The Ecologist Practicing the Five Ways to Wellbeing
Gwent Five Ways to Wellbeing Network