Director of Public Health Annual Report 2012 [pdf] - Stoke-on-Trent ...
Director of Public Health Annual Report 2012 [pdf] - Stoke-on-Trent ...
Director of Public Health Annual Report 2012 [pdf] - Stoke-on-Trent ...
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Here are 5 evidence based ways to help you improve your mental wellbeing.<br />
Try to integrate them into your daily life – think <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> them as your<br />
“5 a day” <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> mental wellbeing!<br />
1. C<strong>on</strong>nect<br />
With the people around you. With family, friends, colleagues and neighbours. At<br />
home, work, school or in your local community. Think <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> these as the cornerst<strong>on</strong>es <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
your life and invest time in developing them. Building these c<strong>on</strong>necti<strong>on</strong>s with support<br />
and enrich you every day.<br />
2. Be Active<br />
Go for a walk or run. Step outside. Cycle. Play a game. Garden. Dance. Exercising<br />
makes you feel good. Most importantly, discover a physical activity that you enjoy;<br />
<strong>on</strong>e that suits your level <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> mobility and fitness.<br />
3. Give<br />
Do something nice for a friend, or a stranger. Thank some<strong>on</strong>e. Smile. Volunteer your<br />
time. Join a community group. Look out, as well as in. Seeing yourself, and your<br />
happiness, linked to the wider community can be incredibly rewarding and will create<br />
c<strong>on</strong>necti<strong>on</strong>s with the people around you.<br />
4. Keep Learning<br />
Try something new. Rediscover an old interest. Sign up for that course. Take <strong>on</strong> a<br />
different resp<strong>on</strong>sibility at work. Fix a bike. Learn to play an instrument or how to cook<br />
your favourite food. Set a challenge you will enjoy achieving. Learning new things will<br />
make you more c<strong>on</strong>fident, as well as being fun to do.<br />
5. Take Notice<br />
Be curious. Catch sight <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> the beautiful. Remark <strong>on</strong> the unusual. Notice the changing<br />
seas<strong>on</strong>s. Savour the moment, whether you are <strong>on</strong> a train, eating lunch or talking to<br />
friends. Be aware <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> the world around you and what you are feeling. Reflecting <strong>on</strong><br />
your experiences will help you appreciate what matters to you.<br />
Source: Aked J, Marks N, Cord<strong>on</strong> et al (2011) Five ways to mental health and wellbeing:<br />
The evidence centre for wellbeing. Nef (The New Ec<strong>on</strong>omics Foundati<strong>on</strong>): L<strong>on</strong>d<strong>on</strong><br />
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