Over the past few months I have been working with the Wellbeing Project in St Helens, a social enterprise who have developed programmes to improve community mental health and wellbeing. My involvement has been with their “Mothers and Fathers to Be” programme which we piloted last month. This link takes you to a short video about it

At the heart of the work of the Wellbeing Project are the five ways of wellbeing, a set of evidence based actions to improve personal wellbeing developed at The New Economics Foundation. If you’re in Liverpool City Centre you will see them all over the logo for the year of Health and Wellbeing. So what are they?

• Connect: social relationships are crucial to us and yet how much time do we sit in splendid isolation behind computers even sending e mails to our colleagues, friends and family. You know that friend you’ve been meaning to have lunch with for ages but somehow never get round to it, well now’s the time!
• Be active: that doesn’t mean rushing out and joining the nearest gym, it means enjoying a walk, a bike ride or a run. If you haven’t got time believe me after being outside in the fresh air for 20 minutes you will feel better and you will be more effective
• Take notice: how often do you stop to just notice the changing seasons, the beauty in our environment? How often do parents say “I didn’t notice my child grow up”
• Keep learning: Why not try something new or rediscover something you used to do before your life got so busy? There’s always a buzz isn’t there when you achieve something new, a challenge you’ve set yourself
• Give: Giving can be as simple as thanking someone or smiling. I always remember being in the London Underground crammed against everyone else. There was a young woman shorter than me who couldn’t reach to hold on to anything, I leant her my shoulder. It felt good!

One of my clients took up riding at the same time as her daughter; she was connecting with her daughter, being active, learning and while out riding taking notice but also giving something to her daughter. The 5 ways of wellbeing incorporated in one activity

This is simple, enjoyable and it will make you feel physically, mentally and emotionally well. Try it! And I will be using them in my life coaching and in my womens workshops here in Cheshire.