Wellbeing
What is wellbeing?
Wellbeing is about how we are feeling generally and how we are connected to the world and our community. It can be linked to a sense of feeling content, comfortable, and purposeful, and is often described as key to our quality of life.
Low wellbeing has been linked to mental health difficulties like depression and anxiety. It can also impact our relationships with family and friends, and how we feel about and interact with the world around us.
There are lots of things we can do to look after our well being and mental health.
Related to Wellbeing
Advice to help me
Based on lots of evidence, ‘The five ways to wellbeing’ suggests 5 different steps you could take to improve your own sense of wellbeing. These don’t need to be done all at once or in order – but it can be good to work towards a balance of the 5 components (you’ll probably find that there’s a chain reaction – by focusing on one area, you’ll achieve others at the same time).
Connect with other people
Connecting with others can help us feel close to people and valued for who we are. Connecting with others can:
- help you to build a sense of belonging and self-worth
- give you an opportunity to share positive experiences
- provide emotional support and allow you to support others
Being social means different things for different people. You might prefer being in quieter situations with one other person, or you might like being in big groups. You might like to connect with people online, or you might enjoy phone calls or sending letters. Here are some ideas you could try to help connect with others:
If possible, take time each day to be with the people around you, for example:
- try arranging a fixed time to eat dinner together
- arrange to spend time with friends you have not seen for a while
- try finding a TV show that you could watch together, or playing a game
- visit a friend or family member who needs support or company
- make the most of technology to stay in touch with friends and family
- If you feel comfortable, you could try speaking to someone new
- Ask how someone’s weekend was, and really listen when they tell you
- Travel to school or college with someone
Get active
Many people find that physical activity helps them maintain positive mental health. This doesn’t have to mean running marathons or training every day at the gym, there are lots of different things you can do to be a bit more active.
Studies have shown that getting active can help you sleep better and have happier moods. It can also reduce feelings of stress, anxiety and racing thoughts.
Everyone’s ability level is different, and we can adapt ways to get active that work for us. Here are a few ideas you could work with:
- If possible, 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
- Have a kick-about in a local park
- Do some stretches in the morning
- Dance in your bedroom
- Play sports-based games on a console
- Every Body Moves has lots of useful advice if you have a disability, whether you are searching for accessible local activities or ways to stay active at home.
Take notice
We can sometimes worry about the future or ruminate on the past. Some studies have shown that being in the present can help you to feel more positive about life.
Reminding yourself to take notice and stay in the moment can help you to be aware of how you’re feeling. It can help you understand what triggers your feelings of stress or anxiety.
Take some time to enjoy the moment and the environment around you. Here are a few ideas:
- Create a photo diary
- Find ways to engage your senses
- Take a different route on your journey home
- Visit a new place for lunch
- Practice some mindfulness in your everyday life.
- Notice how the sky and trees are changing with the seasons
- Take up a mindful hobby, like crochet or journalling
- Keep a list of things which make you smile during the day, no matter how small or short-lived
Learn new skills
We’re always learning new things – often without realising it. Feeling like you’re learning and developing can boost your confidence and self-esteem, help you build a sense of purpose, and also connect to others. You don’t have to learn new qualifications or sit exams if this does not interest you – it’s best to find activities you enjoy and make them a part of your life. Here are a few ideas:
- Read the news or a book, or listen to a podcast
- Do a crossword, Sudoku or online puzzles
- Research something you’ve always wondered about
- Teach yourself something new, like learning a new recipe, or memorising the flags of the world
- Try new hobbies that challenge you, such as writing a blog, taking up a new sport or learning to paint
Give to others
There’s been lots of research about the effects of taking part in social and community life. Some studies have shown that people who help others are more likely to rate themselves as happy.
Is there anything you can do today to be kind or helpful to someone else? You could try:
- Making a cup of tea for your parent or carer
- Offering to help a friend with something they’re stuck on
- Share your sweets with a friend
- Seeing if there are any volunteering initiatives in your local community (check out our ‘get involved’ page)
- Saying hello to a neighbour
- 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
- Making something to share with others, for example, baking a cake, or painting a picture
Who can help me?
Accessing support in your local area, or on-line, may be useful if you are experiencing mental health difficulties that are having mild or moderate impact on your daily life . Based on your symptoms, age and where you live, the support below might be useful for you:
Thrive hubs can help you understand your options.
Our service is designed to advise, guide, signpost and get help for young people within Manchester currently facing mental health and emotional wellbeing issues.
Learn more about Thrive HubsFor young people looking for emotional wellbeing support, this website offers a range of information and services, including counselling, psycho-social support, and cognitive behavioural therapy.
An on-line resource with lots of advice and information for young people.
We provide mental health support within education settings across Manchester, including primary and secondary schools and colleges
Offering a 10-week Junior Physical Activity Referral Service (PARS) Their Children’s Healthy Lifestyle Practitioners will connect families to fun activities in your local area.
Blocks is a 1-to-1 mentoring programme to gives 8-11 year olds in North and East Manchester all the tools they need to move to high school effectively.
Suitable for young pople who are at risk of serious youth violence and child criminal exploitation, providing mentoring programs and support to help improve resilience and make safer choices within the community,
We provide mental health support within education settings across Salford, including primary and secondary schools and colleges.
A mental health charity offering online counselling to those aged 8-21, who cannot afford or access support quickly. No wait times and available nationally, we provide vital support to those who need it right now.
Offering a variety of resources to encourage healthy relationships between a child and their parent is suitable when a young person would like to or would benefit from developing a better understanding of safe, happy, and healthy relationships.
Trafford Young Carers is a service for children and young people who provide unpaid care to a family member or friend with illness, disability, mental health issues or substance misuse.
We provide mental health support within education settings across Trafford, including primary and secondary schools and colleges.
CAMHS Services
A referral to a CAMHS service might be useful if you are experiencing mental health difficulties that are having a significant impact on your daily life. Based on your age, symptoms and where you live, the following services might be appropriate for you: