WELL BEING

HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE “HEALTH”?

HOW CAN YOU TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR HEALTH?

FACTORS AFFECTING WELL BEING

Well Bein

g

Psychological • Social

• Intellectual• Emotional

Physical • Exercise

• Diet• Sleep

• Food Nutrients• Basic chemical

compounds found in the foods we eat and which are required to provide energy for our body and keep our body in good health.

Diet

PHYSICAL WELL-BEING

• Achieving optimal wellness through building physical strength, flexibility, and endurance. Making healthy lifestyle choices today will affect health and quality of life tomorrow.

Exercise

PHYSICAL WELL-BEING

• When you have a regular schedule, it is much easier for your body to fall asleep and wake up than if you had one that varied. • Avoiding certain chemical

triggers. Try to stay away from these in advance and especially before going to bed.• Establish a calming pre-

sleep routine to help you wind down and relax. • Avoid the TV/computer and

try reading a book or listening to music instead.

Sleep

PHYSICAL WELL-BEING

PSYCHOLOGICAL

•Emotional• the ability to

recognize, understand, experience and express a full range of emotions and channel our emotions into healthy behaviors that satisfy our personal and social goals.

PSYCHOLOGICAL

• Intellectual• an active mind is

essential for overall wellness. Being open to new ideas, thinking critically, being creative and curious, and being motivated to master new skills are the keys to intellectual wellness.

PSYCHOLOGICAL

•Social• the interaction and

contributions to the environment and the community. Satisfying relationships, having support networks, participating and contributing to the community, developing the capacity for intimacy and learning good communication skills all contribute to a positive state of social wellness.

• Connect • Be active • Take notice

• Keep learning •Give

5 STEPS TO

WELL-BEING

CONNECT

• Build those connections with the people around you: your family, friends, colleagues and neighbours. • Think of these people as the cornerstones of your

life and invest time in developing these relationships. • Building stronger connections will support and

enrich your life.

TIPS TO HELP YOU CONNECT

• Make that extra effort to really connect with people that matter to you. Reconnect with a family member or friend, why not organise a trip to a museum or gallery?• At work, make sure you use your lunchtime and

arrange some lunch dates with colleagues.     • Trying to broaden your personal network can be a

harder challenge, but just as rewarding.

BE ACTIVE

• Step outside. Go for a walk or run. Cycle. Play a game. Garden. Dance. Exercising makes you feel good. Most importantly, discover a physical activity you enjoy and suits your level of mobility and fitness.  

Doing some regular outdoor exercise can be one of the best ways to build up your mental resilience. Those of us who are more physically active have lower rates of depression and anxiety; and for people with mild to moderate depression, outdoor activities such as green gyms can be just as effective as anti-depressants.

TIPS FOR KEEPING ACTIVE

• Join a walking group: this can be a great way to make new connections whist getting more active. • If you’re feeling energetic why not try jogging or

running? • If you’re a regular at your local gym, why not

swap the treadmill for the real thing and enjoy the benefits that running outdoors can bring.

TAKE NOTICE• Take notice• Be curious. Catch sight of something beautiful today. Notice the changing seasons.

Savour the moment, whether you are walking, eating lunch or talking to friends. Awareness of the world around you, what you are feeling and your experiences will help you appreciate what matters to you.

Studies have shown that being more aware of what is taking place around you can promote a positive mental state and helps to strengthen your self-awareness. Being more self aware can help you to make choices that are more inline with your values and motivations. Taking this ownership of your decision making can be important if you want to make lasting changes in your life.

• Take notice tips• Whatever the time of year, a visit to park can be invigorating, especially if you have

children. Look out for how nature is responding to the seasons; you'll be surpirised at what you can spot.  

• Take more notice of what you eat. We all know that our bodies benefit from healthy eating, but one of our most amazing organs - the brain - needs a mix of nutrients to function well. Eating more fruit, vegetables, wholegrain cereals, nuts and seeds, oily fish and plenty of water will give your mind a boost. Unfortunately, you need to cut back on the amount of sugary foods, salt and alcohol you consume!   

TAKE NOTICE TIPS

•   Take more notice of what you eat. • Eating more fruit, vegetables, wholegrain cereals,

nuts and seeds, oily fish and plenty of water will give your mind a boost. • Unfortunately, you need to cut back on the

amount of sugary foods, salt and alcohol you consume!   

KEEP LEARNING

• Try something new or rediscover an old interest. Sign up for that course. Take on a different responsibility at work. Learn to play an instrument or how to cook your favourite food. Learning new things is fun and will make you more confident.

Keeping your mind active through learning something new can be very satisfying and boost your confidence too. You don’t have to enrol in college or university either as the internet has opened many possibilities for learning something new.

TIPS FOR KEEP LEARNING

• Try and learn something new every day - even if it's just searching online for something you’ve heard on the radio or TV.

GIVE

• Do something nice for a friend, or even a stranger. Take time to 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 creates connections with the people around you.

• It might seem odd, but studies have shown that those who help others report that they have higher levels of wellbeing and happiness. Giving doesn't mean having to part with any cash either. It's probably more rewarding to get involved in projects which need your time and mental energy.

TIPS FOR GIVING

• Pass on a compliment! This can be an excellent way to build relationships and take more notice of what’s happening around you.• Get involved in a cause that means a lot to you.

Volunteers are often the lifeblood of community groups so your time and skills can be put to good use. Volunteering can be a great way to meet new people and can give you a sense of doing something positive.