Helping Shape Your Future

Since 1986

Helping Shape Your Future

Since 1986

Personal Development theme of the month:

Healthy Living -

Five steps to Wellbeing to improve Mental Health

We know when we are mentally and physically well but sometimes we need a little extra support. Here are five simple steps to practise every day:

Five Steps to Wellbeing

The ‘Five ways to wellbeing’ have been identified through extensive reviews of research and expert opinion as simple actions that anyone can take that will have a positive impact on their day to day wellbeing. There is nothing new or surprising in these messages other than knowing that there is substantial evidence to support their value in living well and that small changes can make a big difference. This article guides you through the ‘Five ways to wellbeing’ and invites you to consider what they mean for you and what action and changes you would like to make in your own life.

CONNECT with the people around you. With family, friends,colleagues and neighbours. At home, work, school 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 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 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 walking to work, 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 howto cook your favourite food. Set a challenge you will enjoy achieving. Learning new things will make you more confident as well as being fun.

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 creates connections with the people around you.

Please remember that the NWCS website contains a raft of information in relation to Mental Health & Wellbeing which can be found here

Information includes:

  • Mental Health support poster
  • Mental Health support signposting sheet
  • Mental health support Helplines and support groups

The concept of Wellbeing

The concept of well-being comprises two main elements: feeling good and functioning well. Feelings of happiness, contentment, enjoyment, curiosity and engagement are characteristic of someone who has a positive experience of their life. Equally important for well-being is our functioning in the world. Experiencing positive relationships, having some control over one’s life and having a sense of purpose are all important attributes of well-being. The first study in the UK to measure well-being estimated that only 14 percent of the population has a high level of well-being, referred to as ‘flourishing’. A further 14 per cent has very low well-being, notwithstanding individuals with a diagnosed mental disorder.

What you can you do to take some simple but reliable steps towards living well?

Everyone faces challenges in life. How big or difficult these challenges are will be different for each of us but we all know what it’s like to feel drained and struggling to cope. This leaflet is about ways to build on our strengths by following these five principals to increase our resilience in order to meet the challenges we all encounter from time to time. It is also about going further than coping and surviving and realising that there is good evidence that a range of simple actions are strongly linked to people feeling happier and more satisfied with their lives. It is about knowing that there are actions you can take that will build up your health and wellbeing and then doing something about it yourself – taking small steps to living well.

Further and fuller information in relation to this can be found at

Health in Mind

Promoting positive mental health and wellbeing in Scotland since 1982 by providing a wide range of services and courses to support people and enable them to make a positive difference in their lives.  

Mind. -Five ways to wellbeing

Provide advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. Campaigning to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding.

Minding Your Head

Advice and support on a range of issues that can have an impact on your mental health. Base in Northern Ireland.