FIVE WAYS TO WELLBEING

Buckinghamshire Mind give some very simple ideas Buckinghamshire Mind – Five Ways To Wellbeing  which are worth reading first. These steps do not require anything complicated but if you want some more ideas which you can apply locally then below the 5 steps are expanded to include ideas to help within Buckinghamshire.

1. CONNECT WITH OTHER PEOPLE

From Buckinghamshire Council
The Buckinghamshire online directory is a great resource which gives a list with contact details for many activities in Buckinghamshire, which includes something for all people, catering for different interests, ages and locations. All you do is put you post code into the search box and it lists activities, starting with those closest to you Find activities, groups and services near you | Buckinghamshire Council.

From Buckinghamshire Talking Therapies
A group course on “Building Self Esteem” which will help with social interactions (available to anyone over 18) Courses and groups – NHS Buckinghamshire Talking Therapies

Social Wellbeing
For further information on social support (including local support) see under

• Social wellbeing.

Find activities, groups and services near you
You will find other searchable websites not covered above for activities and groups across Buckinghamshire under

• Activities, Services And Charitable Organisations

2. BE PHYSICALLY ACTIVE

This does not need to be vigorous but just increasing our physical activity from our present baseline is a helpful start. However, if you want further ideas locally these can be found under

• Exercise

3. LEARN NEW SKILLS

This does not need to be anything too challenging but ideas include learning to cook something new, a DIY project, starting a hobby, or undertaking a course. There is support locally for a range of learning activities which can be found under

• Adult Education

This includes the Bucks online directory which can be a good place to start looking for learning opportunities close to you.

4. GIVE TO OTHERS

This does not need to be dramatic actions but includes simple acts of generosity such as helping friends and family out. If you do want to do more than simple actions there are many local opportunities for volunteering including:

From Community Impact Bucks
I want to volunteer I Want to Volunteer – Community Impact Bucks

There is more information on volunteering under:

• Volunteering Opportunities

5. PAY ATTENTION TO THE PRESENT MOMENT (MINDFULNESS)

From the NHS 
Mindfulness  Mindfulness – NHS

SUPPORT FOR YOUR MENTAL WELLBEING FROM LOCAL ORGANISATIONS

From Buckinghamshire Talking Therapies
From the NHS psychological service in Buckinghamshire (available to anyone over 18)
If simple steps are not helping they provide a variety of courses to support people to manage low mood, stress and anxiety, and also to build self-esteem Courses and groups – NHS Buckinghamshire Talking Therapies

From Buckinghamshire Mind
Support groups include

• Wellbeing groups provide activities based around the Five Ways to Wellbeing Buckinghamshire Mind – Wellbeing Services
• Peer support groups offer the opportunity to socialise and take part in activities Buckinghamshire Mind – Peer Support Groups

SOCIAL AND FUN ACTIVITIES FOR FAMILIES

From Oxford Health CAMHS
Supporting your wellbeing (for children and young people up to 18) Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service My wellbeing | Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service

From the Family Information Service
Things to do (for families which will help meet the 5 steps to wellbeing) Things to do | Family Information Service

Self-care ideas

Anna Freud suggests
“Self-care is about the things we can do to look after our own mental health.” As suggested “there isn’t much academic research in the area of self-care for young people who are living with mental health issues”, however, most of the ideas are simple and easy to try out locally. Also note “these strategies were identified by young people aged 11-25 though some strategies might not be appropriate for all ages without support or guidance of a trusted adult.”
Self care Self-care | Anna Freud

Public health Buckinghamshire

From Buckinghamshire council
Mental health and wellbeing Where can I go for support

Other areas of life

Support for areas of life including:

• School and further education
• Work
• Finances
• Home
• Relationships
• Crime (including domestic abuse)

Support for people

• Who are potentially more vulnerable (including carers and veterans)
• With long term conditions (e.g. Diabetes , Heart disease, etc)
• With cancer – adults
• With cancer – Children
• Following bereavement – adults
• Following bereavement – Children

There is good evidence that improving our physical and social wellbeing together can significantly help:

• Physical wellbeing 
• Social wellbeing

HAPPINESS – some simple steps

There are a lot of good ideas on making yourself happier included in this section. Sometimes it is easiest to start with the simplest ideas. The straightforward article from psychology today eloquently touches on this including finding “purpose”, appreciating and been grateful for some of the “simple pleasures of life”, not placing expectations on yourself of “material” gains and taking a “positive” approach.

From Psychology Today
What Is Happiness? Happiness | Psychology Today United Kingdom

From Positive Psychology
Includes some of the evidence about happiness and ideas on “How to Train Your Brain for Happiness” The Science of Happiness in Positive Psychology 101

From the NHS, Buckinghamshire Mind and Oxford Health CAMHS – Five ways to wellbeing
The “five ways to wellbeing” are a common approach to improving mental wellbeing, including simple steps we probably should all consider to improve our mental health. They can significantly help those across the whole spectrum of mental health from people who just want to be more content with their life to those who are going through an episode of depression or anxiety.

• 5 steps to mental wellbeing 5 steps to mental wellbeing – NHS
• 5 ways to Wellbeing Buckinghamshire Mind – Five Ways To Wellbeing
• “Supporting your wellbeing” includes 5 ways to wellbeing and other advice for children My wellbeing | Oxford Health CAMHSOxford Health CAMHS

Other Mental Wellbeing tips

From the NHS
Top tips to improve your mental wellbeing Top tips to improve your mental wellbeing – Every Mind Matters – NHS.

From Every Mind Matters
Mental wellbeing tips Mental wellbeing tips – Every Mind Matters – NHS

The impact of kindness

From the Mental Health Foundation
Looking after your mental health Looking after your mental health | Mental Health Foundation
“People who are kind and compassionate see clear benefits to their wellbeing and happiness. They may even live longer. Kindness can also help reduce stress and improve our emotional wellbeing.”
Kindness Matters guide Kindness Matters guide | Mental Health Foundation

SOME FURTHER THOUGHTS ON HOW TO BE HAPPIER:

From the NHS
How to be happier How to be happier – NHS

Most people feel stressed sometime, understanding this is common, the symptoms of stress and how to manage stress can be helpful:

• Stress Get help with stress Get help with stress – NHS
• 10 stress busters 10 stress busters – NHS
• How to boost your self-esteem Raising low self-esteem – NHS
• Mindfulness Mindfulness – NHS
• Breathing exercises for stress Breathing exercises for stress – NHS

From the Royal College of Psychiatrists 

• Coping with stress (children and young people) Coping with stress for young people| Royal College of Psychiatrists
• Feeling overwhelmed Feeling overwhelmed | Royal College of Psychiatrists

From Living Life to the Full
Some Practical ideas: “Things You Can Do to Feel Happier Straight Away” Things You Can Do to Feel Happier Straight Away | Living Life to the Full

Improving time management and reducing stress

Stress can develop while studying or at work. On occasions this stress can relate to difficulties with time management and improving time management can significantly reduce the levels of stress. There are many examples from work, educational and health organisations on the internet with tips on how to help you improve your time management, a few examples are included below:

From NHS inform
Easy time-management tips Easy time-management tips

From Imperial College London
For students and academics

• Time management for students Time management | Imperial students | Imperial College London
• Time management for academics Time management and prioritisation | Administration and support services | Imperial College London

From Novoresume
How to Improve Your Time Management Skills (7 Easy Ways) How to Improve Your Time Management Skills (7 Easy Ways)

From Indeed
Time management tips to help you in the workplace 18 time management tips to help you in the workplace | Indeed.com UK

From WikiHow
Includes a good summary with more detailed information including links to related topics
How to Improve Time Management Skills 14 Ways to Improve Time Management Skills – wikiHow

From Health Education England
Practical strategies for planning and time management Personal and Professional Effectiveness – Strategies for Planning and Time Management | London

Changes in physical symptoms, mental symptoms and behaviours

The NHS website describes how your feelings and symptoms can change with different mental health problems including with

• Stress – NHS
• Anxiety, fear or panic – NHS
• Low mood, sadness or depression – NHS
• Grief after bereavement or loss – NHS
• Anger – NHS

These articles suggest simple steps you can take and where to get NHS help.

other mental health support

Other mental health conditions are covered in more detail (including self-referral to local support) under

For adults:

• Emergencies adults
• Anxiety and depression adults
• Coping with Bereavement adults
• Other mental health conditions Adults – includes anger

For children and young people:

• Emergencies Children
• Anxiety and depression children
• Coping with Bereavement Children
• Other mental health conditions Children – includes anger

Anxiety and depression

If your mental health symptoms are not improving there is further support found under:

• Anxiety and depression adults
• Anxiety and depression children and young People