Men’s Health Week
Published on: Monday 21st June 2021
There is good evidence that five specific things can make a big difference to someone’s sense of wellbeing. They’re called the Five Ways To Wellbeing.
The Five Ways are valuable in their own right. They'll improve your health and wellbeing. But it is also likely that if you're feeling good about yourself, you will find it easier to make the other changes inyour life that will improve your physical and mental health and wellbeing.
The Five Ways to Wellbeing are:
CONNECT
Feeling close to, and valued by, other people. Some ideas to help feel more connected:
Talk to someone rather than texting or emailing
Talk to someone new
Ask someone something about themselves that you don’t know
Offer someone a lift or suggest you travel together
Contact someone you have not spoken to for over a year
Join a club or group
BE ACTIVE
Taking part in regular physical activity
Take stairs, not the lift
Get off the train or bus a stop earlier or park the car further away
Do stretching exercises
Do an activity (eg. cycling or swimming) that you have not tried for a while
Combine being active with connecting: sport, walking, gardening
TAKE NOTICE
Being aware of what is taking place in the present.
Look up at the sky rather than down at the pavement
Take a different route on a familiar journey
Go somewhere new for lunch
Spend time in parks, forests and at the seaside
LEARN
Continuing to learn throughout life
Sign up for a class
Read a book
Do some puzzles
Research something you are curious about (eg. your family tree)
Take up a language or a musical instrument
Learn some practical skills (eg. how to fix your bike)
GIVE
Participating in social and community life.
Volunteer for a charity or community group
Visit an elderly relative or neighbour
Do someone a favour
Smile and say thanks
If you want an easy way to remember the five ways, try CAN DO: C(onnect), A(ctive), N(otice) and D(iscover) and O(ffer).