Taking care of ourselves has never been more important as we adapt to a 'new normal'.

This simple five-step plan is designed to boost your wellbeing, building the resilience and confidence to help you lead a better balanced, happier life...

The Five Ways to Wellbeing provide the essential self-care framework. We know we need our five-a-day dose of fruit and veg… the same is true of the five ways: we need our daily dose of wellbeing. This is the five-step plan to bring wellbeing to the fore.

By ticking off the five ways, day-by-day, little-by-little, we’ll become endurance athletes at wellbeing and self-care. By connecting to others, taking notice of the good stuff, maintaining daily physical activity, learning new skills and giving to others; we’ll exercise the ways to wellbeing.

Can do

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to join our virtual five-ways training programme. We’ll bring the coaching, training plan; information and inspiration. All you need is a mindset of belief and determination to follow the plan. It’s time we switched our focus away from what we can’t do, and on to what we can do.

Seize the day. Join the Five Ways Challenge to supercharge your wellbeing.

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The Five Ways to Wellbeing

1. BE ACTIVE

Get up; get moving; enjoy a hobby. Activity boosts our mood, builds confidence and protects against cognitive decline. Why not try one of the following ideas to keep active:

• Workout indoors: Try one of the many YouTube workouts: There is a whole range of videos available online. Try Joe Wicks' video workouts. Want something a little gentler? Try a yoga video or chair exercises. You can do these no matter what the weather and if you are back in an office, try and find a quiet space to do some stretches or a short workout routine.
• Workout outdoors: Couch to 5k is a brilliant way to get moving. Even if you think running is not for you, this easy-to-use app is perfect. Everything goes at a gentle pace with a slow build-up - you'll hard notice the kilometres adding up! Or there's Active 10 which guides you to complete three ten-minute walks per day.

2. CONNECT

Connect with other people, through any means of communication. Relationships are the cornerstones of our lives and enhance our sense of belonging, self-worth and life satisfaction.

• This includes friends, family, neighbours and the people we meet day-to-day: colleagues, shop workers, dog walkers; anyone! Connections with others improve our sense of belonging, self-worth and life satisfaction. Take a moment to consider how strong your connections with other people are and what you could do enhance this. 
• Join online communities such Our LiveWell Facebook Group: Share how you’re doing. Ask others how they're doing. 

3. TAKE NOTICE

Slow down; pay attention to your thoughts, feelings, senses and the world around you. Taking notice helps us to learn about ourselves and feel connected with our world.

• Try Mindfulness: whether you’re on your own, looking after dependents or working from home, there’s a chance our minds will whirr away at this time with thoughts, concerns and worries. Mindfulness is exactly what it isn’t: mind-lessness. Try stilling your thoughts through a 10-minute daily meditation using apps such as Headspace, Calm or Insight Timer. You can also find meditations on YouTube.
• Open the window: The simple act of opening the window and taking in deep breaths of fresh air will fill your body and mind with fresh energy.
• Get outside: nature can be a wonderful distraction and relaxation away from those rushing thoughts and nagging worries. Look up at the tree tops, the clouds, the stars, look down at the grass, flowers, fallen leaves, look all around. Drink in the beauty that is around you, in the little and often overlooked details.

4. KEEP LEARNING

Challenge your mind; learn a new skill. Learning boosts our self-confidence and broadens our horizons.

• Learn a new language for free using the Duolingo website or app. Pick up that dusty musical instrument stored in the wardrobe.
• Listen to a new podcast or audiobook. Listen to the pilot episode of the LiveWell Lifestyle Podcast.
• Join the library online! If you live, work or study in Dorset you can join the library service online. This gives you access to the Borrow Box App where you can borrow and listen to a whole library of audiobooks from the comfort of your home.

5. GIVE

Share with others; do a good deed. Giving activates the brain’s feel-good pathways and gives a sense of connection with our communities.

• Join your local Facebook group, see if anyone needs any help. Look out especially for those who may not be able to ask for help through social media.
• Find out what foodstuffs your local food bank needs and how you can donate.
• Try volunteering - it's a fantastic way to meet new people and get that real feel-good boost that comes from giving back to others. Check out local opportunities with the Dorset Volunteer Centre 

How are you taking care of your wellbeing?

We’re inviting you to join the Five Ways Challenge as we all adapt to an ever-changing world.  Together, Five Ways Challenge participants are a force for good, supporting wellbeing across the county. VWe can all take steps to improve our lives and our wellbeing. Join us as we begin the journey.

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