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5 ways to wellbeing

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Taking care of your mental wellbeing is very important to help us feel good and prevent mental health and some physical health problems

5 Ways to Wellbeing are five recommended self-help actions from research to support personal wellbeing, help us feel good and happier, build resilience, and prevent mental health problems even during difficult times.

Track your progress with our wellbeing tracker and implement 5 ways to wellbeing in your networks using downloadable campaign packs and leaflets.

1. Connect Click to get info

Social connections with people around us- colleagues, friends, family and loved ones- can make us feel happier. Here’s some ideas for how you can connect more even while at home

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  • Make time to check on friends, family and colleagues- this could be a quick conversation by telephone or face to face meeting over video calls
  • Don’t forget to check on those who may live on their own
  • Attend social events and take up opportunities for meeting new people including virtual meet ups
  • Contact Talking Therapies if you are feeling depressed or anxious
  • Contact Good Samaritans on 116 123 if you just need someone to talk to about your worries

 

2. Keep learning Click to get info

Continually mastering new skills, improves self-esteem and reduces depression and anxiety. Now is the perfect time to learn that language or new skill you have always wanted to! Sign up for a class and learn somethings new.

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  • Learn a language
  • Start a new skill 
  • Sign up for a class

 

Waltham Forest Adult Learning service have a variety of courses from creative courses, business, and administration to gardening. Apprentices are also available to help you earn while you learn.

Start up In London Libraries offer support to help you start a new business email: Sarah.Eschner@walthamforest.gov.uk

Bags of Taste offer free mentored cooking course virtually to help you make tasty international dishes at home. A free bag of ingredients is also delivered.

3. Be active Click to get info

Physical activity such as walking, jogging, exercise and sports not only great for our physical health but is known to be one of the best ways to make you look and feel good.

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Walking Routes

Route 1: Walk around Fellowship Square Campus: 425m, 6mins

Starting from the Assembly hall, walk around the Fountain to Magistrates building (Farnan Ave) and back 

Find the walking route using Google Maps

Route 2: Walk around Chestnut fields, 850m, 10 to 15 mins

Find the walking route using Google Maps.

Route 3: Walthamstow Market, 2.5km, 30 to 35minutes

Fellowship Square to Walthamstow Market (via Hoe Street) and back

Find the walking route using Google Maps.

Route 4: Lloyds Park, 2.9km, 35 to 50minutes

Fellowship Square to Lloyds Park (Using William Morris Entrance) stroll round the park and back to Fellowship Square

Find the walking route using Google Maps

Route 5: Lea Valley Park, 5km, 60 to 65minutes

Fellowship Square to Lea Valley Park, Douglas Eyre Playing fields

Find the walking route using Google Maps.

Cycle Routes

Route 1: Ride around Lloyds Park: 3.5km, 13 to 15mins

Begin at Fellowship Square, then enter the park via the William Morris Gallery entrance, returning back to Fellowship Square via Farnan Ave. 

Find the cycle route using Google Maps

Cycle route 1

Route 2: Ride around Wetlands, 4.6km to  25mins

Beginning at Fellowship Square, going down Forest Road and then returning. 

 

 

 

 

Route 3: Ride around Leyton Flats

Beginning at Fellowship Square, heading down Wood Street, past Whipps Cross and around Leyton Flats. Then returning back to Fellowship Square. (8.5 miles, 31-35 mins)

Find the cycle route using Google Maps.

Route 4: Ride to Banbury reservoir, 10.1km, 35 to 40 Mins

Leaving Fellowship Square via Billet road, riding around the reservoir, past chalk bridge, and then back to Fellowship Square via Lloyds Park beginning at Fellowship Square

Find the cycle route using Google Maps.

Route 5: Ride to Lee Valley Golf Course, 17km, 55 to 60mins

Heading North from Fellowship Square towards Chingford Mount, past William Girling Reservoir, to Lee Valley Golf Course and back to Fellowship Square following the A406

Find the cycle route using Google Maps.

4. Take notice Click to get info

Being aware of our feelings, what matters to us and the beautiful world around us can help us be more self-aware and foster our values and happiness. Taking notice of our surroundings can seem difficult during quarantine but here are some ideas you can still enjoy while at home:

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  • Notice the seasons changing in your garden, local parks or green spaces, or out of your window.
  • Take time to reflect on what matters most to you-  what makes you happy, your passions, likes and dislikes.
  • Take free online mindfulness training at www.good-thinking.uk

Areas of natural beauty

5. Give Click to get info

Giving or volunteering your time, resources or ideas to a cause you are passionate about, can be very rewarding and lead to a feeling of being useful and appreciated by others and has been shown to improve our feeling of happiness. Remember that by taking care of ourselves we are better equipped to take care of those we love and care about. 

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If you are feeling anxious, stressed or depressed Click to get info

If you are worried about money or need free, impartial advice, there is support available. Ask for help if you need it from