Wellbeing refers to an individual’s sense of satisfaction with life, which can be affected by various factors like income, health and relationships.
Studies show that simple changes can increase wellbeing. These could include taking time to learn new skills, exercise more regularly or spend more time with friends.
1. Develop a support network
As social creatures, humans depend on relationships for our happiness and wellbeing. A support network may consist of family, friends, community groups or professional organizations.
People within your support network often offer unique perspectives and experiences that allow you to see situations from a new angle. Furthermore, having multiple “go-to” people helps prevent overusing one person to the point of exhaustion or resentment.
Building your support network can be a continuous effort. Explore ways you can expand it, such as joining an interest group or volunteering for a cause you care about. Keep checking in with people already part of your support system and reach out when appropriate – something we all should strive for.
2. Take care of your physical health
Healthier bodies are essential components of overall wellbeing. This means eating a nutrituous diet, engaging in regular physical activity and forgoing harmful habits like smoking.
Being physically healthy also benefits our emotional well-being by decreasing stress and making sleeping easier, as well as decreasing risk factors for heart disease and chronic illnesses such as Alzheimer’s.
Many factors play a part in one’s physical wellbeing, including lifestyle choices, diet and family history. It is important to take time out to evaluate which areas in your life require additional focus and self-care – for instance if you tend to nip out for lunch frequently then make sure there are healthier options available in your canteen for lunch – this may help ensure an energising afternoon! You could also swap unhealthy snacks out with more fruit- or vegetable-rich alternatives.
3. Take care of your mental health
People often feel overwhelmed by their lives outside of work. From caring for children or elderly parents, to struggling relationships or being fearful of losing their home, the multitude of issues occupying people’s minds outside work can prevent them from fully immersing themselves into work activities.
So many wellness programs focus on supporting employees to take better care of both their physical and mental wellbeing, with positive consequences such as reduced absenteeism, higher productivity and happier staff members. The result? A reduction in absenteeism as well as higher productivity levels with happier staff.
Care of one’s mental health does not depend solely on having a support network or taking walks in the park – it could simply involve talking with someone and releasing some stress – it could be anyone from friends and family members to professional helplines like Mind’s Infoline or Samaritans.
4. Develop your purpose in life
Wellbeing is the goal of nearly everyone, yet achieving it may be challenging without proper tools. Achieve it requires managing emotions, body, social network, purpose and community responsibilities effectively.
Attributing to and feeling part of a community are crucial components to your social wellbeing. This involves developing healthy relationships and maintaining an inclusive sense of community while respecting diversity.
Encourage employees to adopt healthy practices at work by offering healthier snacks in the office canteen or offering healthier lunch options, for instance. This can improve adherence, enjoyment and overall mental wellness; plus it boost employee engagement and productivity as a happy workforce can be more productive.
5. Practice gratitude
Establishing the resources and relationships necessary in times of difficulty is invaluable, while developing a healthy mindset and nurturing positive emotions like gratitude and optimism are also integral parts of wellbeing.
Maintaining positive mental health requires eating well, getting enough restful sleep and engaging in physical activity regularly. Furthermore, it is key to avoid taking addictive substances such as alcohol, drugs or cigarettes that could impair mental health.
Encourage clients to practice positive thinking by emphasizing the good in their lives – such as supportive relationships, personal achievements and moments of joy. A journal may be beneficial in documenting such events daily.
Encourage clients to remain mindful of any negative thoughts that arise and challenge them as soon as they do. Sometimes these negative thought patterns stem from outdated or harmful beliefs that lead to self-defeating behaviors; changing these can drastically improve mental wellbeing.
