The 5 Ways to Wellbeing is a campaign to raise awareness about simple strategies everyone can adopt for improving our overall mental health. Over the next five months, Helping You Sparkle™ is working alongside the Public Health team at Milton Keynes Council, focusing on and promoting the benefits of each of the following topics:
- Connect
- Be active
- Take notice
- Keep learning, and
- Give
For the month of November, we’re focusing on connect. What does “connect” mean to you?
Here’s some thoughts.
Connection is very much about feelings of being able to relate to and talk with the people around you. It’s a feeling of being understood, feeling heard, valued and welcome. When we connect with other people, we aren’t just making new friends or sustaining old friendships, we are showing up and allowing ourselves to be who we truly are.
We can also connect with ourselves. How often do you check your mobile ‘phone to see how other people are? And how often do you check in with yourself to see how you are? Connecting with yourself gives you the opportunity to “check in”, see where you’re storing tension and look at helpful ways to relax, like Mindfulness. Take a look at this Helping You Sparkle™ free factsheet on Mindfulness which includes an activity for you to try.
Ways to connect:
- Get in touch with friends and neighbours and invite them round for a cuppa. You could also look at joining in on any activities happening locally, especially if you have a shared hobby with people who live nearby. Find out what’s happening in your area or organise a day out, to somewhere you’d like to go.
- Rather than sending a friend a text message, you could pick up the ‘phone instead and have a chat. Update them on what’s been happening in your area and how you’ve been getting – or would like to get – involved. If you have been struggling to contact friends, start with a message first to let them know how you are.
- Reach out to people who can help if you’ve been struggling lately. Talk to your doctor, and ask a friend or family member to come with you if you’re feeling nervous about your appointment. Organisations like the Samaritans are always available to listen if you want to talk about how you feel and charities like Mind BLMK run peer support groups for people recovering from poor mental health as a way to connect with each other.
You can also visit the 5 Ways to Wellbeing on the Milton Keynes website.
To find out more about the paid-for, private therapy and training services offered by Helping You Sparkle™, just get in touch.
Helping You Sparkle™ 