Five ways to put yourself first on Blue Monday and beyond

The third Monday in January is often billed as the most depressing day of the year, with Christmas festivities long-forgotten and the shine already wearing off New Year’s resolutions.

Rather than making life more of a struggle, there are five ways to lift your mood and improve your wellbeing, without having to make dramatic changes to your lifestyle.

Cheshire West and Chester Council and its partners in the borough, including Brio Leisure, Active Cheshire, have teamed up to share information and advice about the five ways to wellbeing with residents and help people through the winter.

The five ways to wellbeing are:

• Connect – with people around you, including friends, family, colleagues and neighbours. Good relationships give you a sense of belonging and self-worth, as well as providing emotional support.
• Be active – whether it is going for run or walk, gardening, playing a game or dancing around the kitchen, being active can raise your self-esteem, help you to set goals you can achieve and cause chemical changes in your brain that can positively change your mood.
• Take notice – savour the moment and make the effort to be more aware of the world around you and what you are feeling. Mindfulness can help you enjoy life more and understand yourself better.
• Learn – try something new or rediscover an old interest, which will help boost your self-confidence, give you a sense of purpose and help you connect with others.
• Give – do something nice for someone else, volunteer or say thank you. Acts of giving and kindness can create a sense of reward, give you a feeling of purpose and self-worth and help you connect with others.

Cllr Louise Gittins, the Council’s Leader and Cabinet Member for Poverty and Wellbeing, said: “It’s traditional to make New Year’s resolutions about losing weight or dropping a bad habit, but if that feels like it’s adding pressure on yourself at a time when there are already a lot of worries, why not look to do something much more positive for yourself.

“The best thing about the five ways to wellbeing is that you can take the theme and make it fit your life. It gives you the chance to put your wellbeing first without adding to your stress.

“Whether you decide to learn how to cook a new tea, join a guided walk to be active and connect or give some of your time to volunteer, you can easily find your own five ways to wellbeing.”

The five ways to wellbeing have been adopted by the NHS and mental health charity Mind following evidence that the steps improve people’s mental health and wellbeing.

During the next few weeks the Council and its partners will be sharing opportunities for residents to connect, be active, take notice, keep learning and give.

For more information visit: 

www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/fiveways 

...or follow the Council on Twitter @Go_CheshireWest

...or on Facebook at:

http://www.facebook.com/cheshirewest