Five steps to mental wellbeing

The concept of wellbeing encompasses two key elements: feeling good and functioning well. Feelings of happiness, contentment, enjoyment, curiosity and engagement are characteristic of a person who has a positive experience of their life. Equally important for wellbeing is our functioning in the world. Therefore, experiencing positive relationships, having some control over your life and having a sense of purpose are all important attributes of wellbeing.

There is solid evidence that indicates that feeling close to and valued by other people is a vital human need and one that contributes to functioning well in society. 

It's apparent that social relationships are crucial for encouraging wellbeing, as well as acting as a buffer against mental ill health for people of all ages.

Try following these steps to make a positive connection:

• Talk to someone instead of sending a text
• Ask how someone's weekend was and really listen when they tell you
• Put five minutes aside to find out how someone really is 

Regular physical activity is directly linked to lower rates of depression and anxiety across all age groups. It doesn't need to be intense for you to feel good, therefore slower-paced activities including walking can significantly benefit social activity and improve exercise.

Here are a few ideas to get physical:

• Take the stairs instead of the lift
• Walk or cycle to school
• Get off the bus one stop earlier than usual and walk the final part of your journey
• Have a kick-about in a local park

Reminding yourself to 'take notice' can help to strengthen and broaden awareness. Studies have shown that being aware of  what is taking place in the present vastly enhances your wellbeing and savouring 'the moment' can help to reaffirm your life priorities. 

Heightened aware also increases your self-understanding and allows you to make positive choices based on your own values and motivations.

Here are a few ideas to enjoy the moment:

• Recognise your strengths and weaknesses
• Identify what needs to be done to complete a task
• Recognise errors in schoolwork and make edits or changes
•  Understand and talk about your feelings
• Recognise other people's needs and feelings
• Understand how your own behaviour can affect others

Continued learning through life is proven to enhance self-esteem  and encourage social interaction and a more active lifestyle. What's more, engaging in work or educational activities particularly helps to lift older people out of depression. Likewise, setting goals has been linked to higher levels of wellbeing.

Here are a few ideas to learn:

• Visit your local library and read a new book
• Join a book club
• Research something you've always wondered about 
• Learn a new word 

Participation in social and community life has attracted a lot of attention in the area of wellbeing. This is due to the fact that people who report a greater interest in helping others are more likely to rate themselves as happy.

Here are a few ideas to give:

• Research into actions for promoting happiness 
• Try to commit an act of kindness once a week over a six-week period