Pursuing Happiness: 5 Steps For Mental Well-being
- Jul 7, 2015
- 3 min read
Scientific researches have produced evidence pointing to five steps to improve our mental wellbeing, a seemingly short journey to achieving happpiness in life. These steps are common sense around us but the practise of them is uncommon; slight surprise we have mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety and stress which are products of other issues in our lives, mostly psychological aspects of our lives. Getting the right treatment is vitally important for the pursuit of happiness. Having the understanding of what mental wellbeing is fundamental a necessity for staying healthy.
WHAT IS MENTAL WELLBEING? Sarah Stewart-Brown, professor of public health at the University of Warwick and a wellbeing expert, says that when we talk about mental wellbeing, we mean more than just happiness. "Of course, feeling happy is a part of mental wellbeing. But it is far from the whole. There is a deeper kind of wellbeing, which is about living in a way that is good for you and good for others around you. "Feelings of contentment, enjoyment, confidence and engagement with the world are all a part of mental wellbeing. Self-esteem and self-confidence are, too. So is a feeling that you can do the things you want to do. And so are good relationships, which bring joy to you and those around you. "Of course, good mental wellbeing does not mean that you never experience feelings or situations that you find difficult. But it does mean that you feel you have the resilience to cope when times are tougher than usual."
Mental wellbeing can take many different forms, but a useful description is feeling good and functioning well." Many of the things we often think will improve our mental wellbeing – such as more possessions, more money to spend or expensive holidays – on their own do not lead to a lasting improvement in the way we feel about ourselves and our lives.
The message is clear: it's time to rethink wellbeing.
MEASURING WELLBEING From treatment to observational studies, evidences are gained by finding ways to measure it. I found one from NHS site measuring how happy you are. Take your own Wellbeing Self-Assessment by clicking here.
ACTION. & CONSEQUENCE For every action there is a consequence. The actions we take and our thinking pattern influence our wellbeing. The first thing you can do about your wellbeing is becoming curious about it. Remember no one can give wellbeing to you.You have to take action by yourself. The FIVE STEPS Practise these steps and see the results you'd get. Be mindful- Be more aware of your present moment including your feelings and thoughts, your body and the world around you. Connect- Connect with people around you, and make the connections count. Spend time developing these relationships and how you connect.
Give to others – even the smallest ac can count, whether it's a smile, a than you or a kind word. Larger acts, such as volunteering at your local community centre, can improve your mental wellbeing and help you build new social networks. Learn more in Give for mental wellbeing. be mindful – be more aware of the present moment, including your feelings and thoughts, your body and the world around you. Some people call this awareness "mindfulness", an it can positively change the way you feel about life .
Keep learning- learning new skills can give you a sense of achievement and a new confidence. So why not sig up for that cooking course, start learning to play a musical instrument, or figure out how to fix your bike?
Be active –
you don't have to go to the gym. Take a walk, go cycling or play a game of football. Find the activity that you enjoy and make it a part of your life.
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