Boost your wellbeing
Do you need to boost your well- being? What if I say that by making a few small tweeks, that you can…
Ten years ago, during one of the mental health modules from my degree, I came across this campaign called ‘The 5 ways to wellbeing’. This was an eye opener, yet it totally made sense and was so logical I felt I already knew about it! It said that in order to improve your mental health and well-being whether it is suffering or not, needs a good ol’ boost, or you just want to reinvent your mojo, then applying ‘The 5 ways to well- being’ is key. As you will see, these aspects are important in your daily life.
Boost your well- being with the '5 Ways to Wellbeing'
1/ Connect. This is the connection you have with other people, within your home and in your community. This can include family, friends and acquaintances. This connection with others is so important that without it, one can literally go mad! Like in Stephen King’s classic, ‘The Shining’, Jack Nicholson plays the part of a writer, who in this novel, isolates himself to write and literally starts going ‘mad’. I did this myself in the past, though not intentionally, the fainting & my health gets so bad sometimes I can’t leave the flat for weeks on end, sometimes months, and, although I had the kids in the evenings and a friends pop over sometimes, I would still feel as though I was climbing the walls! I got to the point where I knew I just needed to see or speak to someone. This first point and these examples shows how important connection and relationships with others is. So, if your stuck in a rut or feeling alone you CAN reach out, there is usually someone; a neighbour or someone from your local church, you can contact the minister/ vicar or leadership team and they will come and see/ speak to you or put someone in touch with you.
If you’re in the UK and need to speak to someone, then the Samaritans are at the end of a phone, or you can email, visit or write to them. The number for them is 116123 and they are available 24 hours a day on this number. If you’re not in the UK do an online search for your local helpline.
Then, obviously, you have God, through Jesus, by means of prayer. He is there for you ALL the time and is wanting you to speak to Him in prayer.
“All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.”
1 Corinthians 12:27
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.
Philippians 4:6
2/ Be active. This can be anything from something simple like, taking the stairs instead of the lift or finding a new sport/ activity you might enjoy like going to the gym, on a bike ride or kicking a ball about. I used to enjoy going for walk with my earphones in listening to worship music. Now, as am not able to get out on my own much, I encourage myself to get the exercise mat out and just do some stretching or or floor exercises! Which is helpful for anyone with disabilities or limitations in their mobility. Anything that involves moving can increase your health and get your heart pumping which in turn releases endorphins. These are chemicals in your brain that help you to “feel good,” therefore lifting your spirits and increasing your mental health and well-being.
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
3/ Take Notice. Recognising what’s going on in your present; your surroundings, smells and what you can hear can help to strengthen you and broaden your awareness. “Studies have shown that being aware of what is taking place in the present directly enhances your well-being and savouring ‘the moment’ can help to reaffirm your life priorities. Heightened awareness also enhances your self-understanding and allows you to make positive choices based on your own values and motivations.” *1 This can be viewed in the secular world as being ‘mindful’. But I adapt this for Christianity; what the Bible says about it, which is what I practise too. I call this ‘Being Mindful of Christ‘ Which is about noticing and being aware of your present surroundings, recognising what’s around us that God has blessed us with. For instance, if you’re sitting in a park, you might notice the trees, greenery, birds, people, sunshine, and children playing or at home, you may think of your clothing, and furniture; what were they made from that came from the earth, e.g. cotton and wood. Just being still and ‘noticing’ these things, removing and/ or ignoring distractions; phone notifications/ TV/ radio. Most importantly, I believe we need to have our focus on God; being quiet and listening to the Holy Spirit. Check out the below book/ course to help you with this.
“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honourable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”
Philippians 4:8 NLT
4/ Learn. Learning new things either through daily life encounters and experiences but specifically intentional learning can improve confidence and self-esteem and can encourage social interactions and a more active life. There has also been evidence that by engaging in work and educational activities can help in bringing people out of depression. Studying my degree, or now I use learning apps like Duolingo or Elevate Brain Training helps me change my focus (from toxic emotions and depressive thoughts). This also supports the suggestion that setting and having goals is associated with having higher levels of well-being *2 . Learning can be in the form of learning a new language, instrument, sport, or short and long courses which can be done at a college, in a local community, in adult classes and even online. Bible studies are also a great way of reading and learning the Bible and about the life of Jesus. This can be done on your own or in groups, you can ask in your local church if you want to be part of a small group- otherwise known as a ‘home group’, ‘care group’ or ‘cell group’. Daily devotionals can also be helpful and can be found online, through UCB radio and other Christian organisations and magazines or on appropriate apps. I like to use the YouVersion Holy Bible app. The plans on there cover a whole range of topics and subjects about the Bible.
Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance
Proverbs 1:5
5/ Give. Giving isn’t just about offering a physical item to someone else, it also includes your time. Being available to others, participating within society and your local community and giving as an ‘act of kindness’ to others can also boost your wellbeing. We can do this by volunteering in a charity shop, helping someone cross the road, doing some shopping for someone or asking at church if there is anything you can help with, there’s usually something, for instance, helping with refreshments, welcoming, setting up or assisting with the PA. The possibilities and opportunities are endless, you only need to look around and ask.
Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
2 Corinthians 9:7
Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”
Luke 6:38
By applying these five recommendations to my life, I began to see the benefits to my own mental health and wellbeing and with this, I came to discover more about Christ and my goals and purpose within my own life too and so can you. So don’t wait take note and put these into action and you will boost your wellbeing too.
Originally posted 13/02/2020, Updated 17,03,2025
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