Five Ways to Wellbeing are health messages aimed at supporting your mental health and wellbeing during these challenging times provided by our School counsellor, Teresa Curtis.
CONNECT
During these times, trying to strike a balance between school, hobbies, exercise, and self-care, often, our social connections can fall by the wayside. There is strong evidence that indicates that feeling close to, and valued by, other people is a fundamental human need and one that contributes to regulating our emotions and promoting wellbeing. Our inherent need for human connection does not mean that every introvert must become a social butterfly. This connection will look different for each person. Try to do something different today and make a connection.
- Talk to someone instead of speaking through social media.
- Talk to someone new.
- Ask how someone’s day was and really listen to what they say.
- Social distance walks with one other person
BE ACTIVE
Exercise is essential for prompting well-being. It does not need to be particularly intense, slow-paced activities, such as walking, can have the benefit of encouraging social interactions with family as well as providing a level of exercise. Consistency is key and becoming your own professional in making this happen. Building in habits and routines can be extremely helpful. Today, why not get physical. Here are a few ideas:
- Get up slightly earlier and start the day with a brisk 15-minute walk.
- Download the couch to 5K app to get extra motivation.
- Use your lunchbreak to get outside whatever the weather.
- Organise a zoom workout with friends and family.
- Utilise all the free workouts available on social media.
- Stretch after a day at sitting at your laptop.
TAKE NOTICE
Reminding yourself to ‘take notice’ means actively bringing our mind’s attention and interest to the world around us and ourselves. Heightening your awareness to what is going on externally to us and what is happening within us. It means being aware of our thoughts and feelings as they arise, without getting lost in them. Regularly checking in with yourself and noticing any sensations that feel uncomfortable and being curious about them.
Take some time to enjoy the moment and the environment around you. Here are a few ideas:
- Clear your workspace of stuff.
- Walk a different way or route each day.
- Bring nature indoors by adding some plants into your room.
- Take notice of how others are feeling and acting.
- Check in with yourself a few times a day, how you are feeling, physically and mentally.
LEARN
Continued learning through life enhances self-esteem and encourages social interaction and a more active life. Practice makes perfect, and when we see ourselves mastering new knowledge and skills, we build self-efficacy. Self efficacy is our own faith that we can succeed at a given task, which closely overlaps with self-esteem and confidence.
Why not learn something new today? Here are a few ideas:
- Do a crossword or sudoku.
- Research something you have always wondered about separate from your studies.
- Learn a new language.
- Start running – couch to 5K.
- Watch TedED!
- Being Creative through art, drawing, photography
- Doing a handstand or skipping
GIVE
Individuals who report a greater interest in helping others are more likely to rate themselves as happy. Research into actions for promoting happiness has shown that committing an act of kindness once a week over a six-week period is associated with an increase in wellbeing. Here are some ways to give:
- Make a homemade present or card for someone for no reason.
- Share with others.
- Help around the house.
- Smile and say thank you.
- Listen to someone else and how they are feeling.
- Give someone in your home a hug or a virtual hug.