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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:

• YouTube Workouts: There is a whole range of video workouts available online. Try Joe Wicks' video workouts. Want something a little gentler? Try a yoga video or chair exercises. 
• If you are in self-isolation because someone in your household has symptoms, you can still exercise from the comfort of your home. Not only that, but for those that are social distancing but not self-isolating because of symptoms, government guidelines also state that you may leave your house once a day to exercise so long as you maintain a safe distance from others. So, Couch to 5k is still available to you. As is 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.

• Face-to-face is still doable through technology: Use FaceTime, Skype and WhatsApp video calls to keep connected. Had a coffee with a friend planned? Switch it for a video call. Not able to currently meet with a loved one? Arrange to chat on FaceTime. It may be different or odd, to begin with, but before you know it – it will become second nature. 
• 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 in self-isolation, 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: Cooped-up needn’t mean locked-up. The simple act of opening the window and taking in deep breaths of fresh air will fill your body and mind with fresh energy.

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 or community response to coronavirus. 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 safely.

How are you taking care of your wellbeing?

We’re inviting you to join the Five Ways Challenge as we stand up to the global challenge of coronavirus together. Over the following weeks, Five Ways Challenge participants will join together virtually to take care of our wellbeing. Virus or no virus, we can all take steps to improve our wellbeing. Join us as we journey towards greater wellbeing this spring.

Join the challenge