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Wellbeing
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  2. Wellbeing at work
  3. Wellbeing essentials toolkit

Wellbeing essentials toolkit

There are simple and effective strategies you can take to improve your wellbeing, which will make you feel more positive and able to get more out of life. The Mental Health Foundation has grouped these evidence-based actions in to “Five Ways to Wellbeing”

To make a start, try introducing new daily/weekly wellbeing activities into your routine; these can be as little as five minutes a day. Try one the activities listed in the The Five Ways to Wellbeing to Wellbeing at Work Toolkit. Or there are examples below:

Reach out to the people around you (friends, family and colleagues).

Connecting with others is vital to our wellbeing. Why not schedule a regular slot for some social team time, whether that be virtual coffee break or quiz night? Set some ground rules: 

  • Open up the space for people to talk about their general wellbeing and not work-related tasks.
  • Make sure colleagues know that their participation is optional; they don’t need to feel under pressure to share.
  • Stick to a regular time slot and plan a finishing time 

 

Learning about anything can improve your mental well-being by boosting your self-confidence and self-esteem. Try learning to cook something new, take up a new hobby. Look at our Wellbeing Workshops.  

  • Manage expectations upfront about your flexible working patterns – add your working hours to your email signature, or share your working preferences with colleagues.
  • Create ‘digital detox breaks’ to be fully present in the conversation with colleagues, friends and family members, at work and at home.
  • Block your lunch breaks in your diary, move away from your workspace and allow yourself some time dedicated to you – nobody else. 

According to Dr Srini Pillay (2016), Harvard Health Publishing, simply moving benefits your overall mental health. Regular physical movement is associated with elevated mood and increased levels proven exercise increases dopamine levels in the brain, which decreases stress and even depression. 

Helping others is associated with increased feelings of wellbeing. The act of giving back can be achieved in many ways, whether that’s supporting your friends, family and neighbours or volunteering your services with the wider community. 

  • Donate your time to support and regenerate your local community by volunteering via do-it.org.
  • Do a random act of kindness for a friend, colleague or neighbour.
  • Become a Sports Leader in our local community
  • Support our Queen Mary community by joining one of our networks or becoming a mentor. 
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