Evidence suggests there are 5 steps you can take to help improve your mental health and wellbeing, these are connect, be active, take notice, keep learning and give.
Connect
Spend time developing and nurturing relationships with friends, family, neighbours, and colleagues.
Research suggests that:
- social networks increase our sense of belonging and wellbeing
- the happier you are, the stronger your social relationships will be
Here are some ways you could make a connection today:
- arrange a day out with friends you have not seen for a while
- have lunch with a colleague
- visit a friend or family member who needs support or company
Click on the link below to find out more about connecting in Solihull.
Community Advice Hubs (solihull.gov.uk)
Be active
Try to find an activity that you enjoy, and that keeps you active, such as walking, swimming, cycling or playing football.
Research suggests that:
- an improvement in your physical health can help improve your mental health
- physical activity has lots of benefits including, reducing stress, helping us sleep better, helping us manage our weight and reducing blood pressure.
Here are a few ideas for how you can get active today:
- take the stairs rather than the lift
- go for a walk at lunchtime
- get off the bus a stop earlier than usual and walk the final part of your journey to work
- if you're in the office, walk over to someone’s desk instead of calling or emailing
Click on the link below to find out more about keeping active in Solihull.
About Solihull On The Move - Solihull On The Move
Keep learning
Learning new skills can boost confidence and give you a sense of achievement.
Research suggests that:
- learning new things has a positive impact on our mental wellbeing
- in older people, opportunities to work or learn can help to lift people out of depression
- setting goals for ourselves is associated with higher levels of wellbeing
What can you learn today? Here are a few ideas:
- try learning to cook something new.
- try taking on a new responsibility at work, such as mentoring a junior staff member or improving your presentation skills
- work on a DIY project, such as fixing a broken bike, garden gate or something bigger. There are lots of free video tutorials online
- consider signing up for a course at a local college. You could try learning a new language or a practical skill such as plumbing
- try new hobbies that challenge you, such as writing a blog, taking up a new sport or learning to paint
Click on the link below to find out more about our libraries in Solihull.
Give
Helping others, saying thank you, or giving someone a smile can help to improve your self-esteem and improve your emotional health.
Research suggests that acts of giving and kindness:
- create positive feelings and a sense of reward
- help you connect with other people
- have the potential to enhance the social development in children and young people
- in older people who volunteer, can lead to a greater sense of meaning and can also reduce mortality rates
Here are a few examples of the things you could try:
- saying thank you to someone for something they have done for you
- asking friends, family or colleagues how they are and really listening to their answer
- spending time with friends or relatives who need support or company
- offering to help someone you know with DIY or a work project
- volunteering in your community, such as helping at a school, hospital or care home
Click on the link below to find out more about our volunteering in Solihull.
How to volunteer safely (solihull.gov.uk)
Take notice
Being more aware of the present moment, the world around you and your own feelings and thoughts, can help you to positively change how you're feeling about life.
Research suggests that:
- savouring our experiences can help us recognise and restore our life priorities
- being aware of what's going on in the moment can enhance our sense of wellbeing
- self-awareness allows us to make choices based on our values and motivations
Take some time to enjoy the moment and the environment around you. Here are a few ideas:
- get a plant for your workspace
- have a ‘clear the clutter’ day
- res more about mindfulness
- visit a new place for lunch
Click on the link below to find out more about our parks and green spaces in Solihull.
Click on the links below for more information about Mental Health support in Solihull