Five Ways to Wellbeing reboot

Module Overview

Created 20 years ago in the UK, the Five Ways to Wellbeing has had a suggested reboot to reflect the latest scientific research and changing digital world we live in.

Farmstrong wellbeing advisor Hugh Norriss held a webinar for farmers and growers recently to talk about what might be included in the Five Ways to Wellbeing (Connect, Give, Take Notice, Keeping Learning and Be Active) if it were updated today.

“In the last 20 years there’s been exponential growth in the science around what actually does help our mental wellbeing…. we definitely understand a lot more,” Hugh says.

“Also, over that last 20 years the world has got a lot more psychologically demanding, there’s continually increasing uncertainty, complexity, pace of change and it’s all supercharged by technology.

“So, although our understanding of wellbeing has increased, so have demands on it.”

He says the original Five Ways to Wellbeing are still valid and a great starting point, but it’s possible now to go deeper and get more lasting change.

Gradual rollout coming

The rebooted Five Ways to Wellbeing (listed briefly below) and how you can use them in your daily life will be gradually rolled out in Farmstrong’s fortnightly Toolbox Tips newsletter and in the new Toolbox section of Farmstrong’s website.

The new section of the website features the best of the best of Farmstrong’s resources including short, practical wellbeing tips, videos, podcasts, topic modules, worksheets, flyers and electronic books.

Hugh’s rebooted Five Ways to Wellbeing are:

1. Getting some distance from your thoughts and emotions

Overthinking and information overload has risen to epidemic proportions. Being able to pause and notice thoughts as just your brains best guess, and feelings as just sensations arising in the body, gives you space to remain calm and in control.

2. Full mind/body connection

It’s more than just being active.  Science now shows healthy diet, and enough sleep are essential to good brain health, and therefore mental health, too.

3. Breath

Research over the past 20 years has shown the power of simple breathing techniques and their positive effects for immediate stress relief. Anyone can do these exercises at almost any time, and it can take less than a minute.

4. Quality of connection, rather than quantity

The social groups you belong to affect your wellbeing for better or worse. Aim to mix with people who build you up rather than bring you down.  Non-human connection, like feeling close to the land, nature or pets is beneficial for wellbeing too.

 5. Avoid social comparison

Most social comparison, often on social media, is not good for your wellbeing as it leaves you feeling not good enough. What’s more important is to know yourself and your unique gifts and contribution to the world, whatever others think, and that you are enough as you are.

To learn about more Ways to Wellbeing and how to implement them in your daily life, sign up to the fortnightly Toolbox Tips newsletter and check out the Toolbox section of the Farmstrong website.