5 steps to a happier, healthier you next year

Have you heard of the five ways to well-being? 

They are a set of simple steps you can take to improve your mental and physical well-being. Here they are:

1. connect with others
2. be active
3. take notice
4. keep learning
5. give to others

As this year draws to a close, many of us find ourselves reflecting on the year gone by. Maybe the good intentions you had at the start of the year have dwindled. Perhaps you started off with well-being as a top priority but life’s got in the way. Maybe you’re looking to the new year as a time to start again and create a new healthier version of yourself. 

The five ways to well-being are a great guide if that’s you! Let’s go through each one and plan for a healthy, happy year ahead. 

Connect with others

The festive period is a time of connecting, with friends, family, and our communities. Whether it’s Christmas parties or carol services, we tend to spend a lot of time connecting with others at this time of year. 

But it can feel a little overwhelming trying to see all of our loved ones over the festive period. Cramming in meet-ups with people we haven’t seen for months. 

How could you feel connected to others all year round? How can you make good quality connection something you sprinkle into your weekly routine? 

Staying connected can be simple. A text, a phone call, or a card in the post. A cup of tea together. A walk in the park. 

However you connect with others, it’ll work wonders for your well-being (and theirs too!).

 Be active

Getting more exercise is consistently rated as one of the most popular New Year’s resolutions. Many of us start the new year with a healthier, more active lifestyle in mind. But it’s also really common for people to give up on their New Year’s resolutions. You might join a gym but quickly lose the motivation to go. Or maybe you buy some running shoes only to find you then struggle to get out of bed for a pre-work jog. 

It’s so important to find an activity that works for you. Something you enjoy. Something that makes you feel confident. Something that you’ll want to continue longer term.

What could you do over the festive period to set yourself up for an active year ahead? Perhaps you could try out a couple of new activities? Or revisit something you used to enjoy? 

The key is to move more in ways which motivate you!

Take notice

What do you have to be grateful for as this year draws to a close? Perhaps now is a good time to take notice of the small things you may have taken for granted. In our busy, cluttered, everyday lives we can forget to take notice of life’s little pleasures. 

If you get a break from work at Christmas time, this can be the perfect opportunity to slow down and take notice. Perhaps take a walk in nature - notice the sounds, sights, and smells around you. 

Perhaps you could start a gratitude journal keeping a daily or weekly note of all the little things you appreciate. Taking notice and appreciating our world can give us a sense of being safe, grounded and satisfied.  

Keep learning

The end of the year is a great time to take stock of all the things we have learned. What are your top three lessons from the past 12 months? 

How can you continue learning next year? What would this look like for you?

Learning doesn’t have to be formal education. You don’t necessarily need to enrol on a course (though that might be a goal for you). You might want to learn more through reading, watching documentaries, travelling, or meeting new people. Any new experience is an opportunity to learn. 

Continuously learning gives us a sense of personal growth and achievement - both of which boost our confidence!

Give to others

Christmas is all about giving. Giving gifts to friends and family. Giving our time to loved ones. Perhaps even giving to charity. 

Rather than just giving on special occasions, how could you make giving part of your routine for next year?

Not everyone has time to give regularly to a charity or a voluntary cause. How could you give a little time to someone close to you? Or give a compliment to someone you meet each day? Giving little sprinkles of kindness as we go about our day can have far bigger ripple effects than we ever realise. 

By giving to others, we help create a kinder, more supportive world. 

We all want better well-being - make it happen 

Most of us like to start afresh in January with renewed motivation. Whether it’s moving more, being more present for our friends, or taking on a new challenge. We start off with great intentions. But it’s all too common for our good intentions to fall by the wayside as we get back into our usual, busy routines. 

Having a coach can really help you - not only to get started - but to maintain positive changes in the long term. Coaching can support you in identifying the right well-being goals for you. It can give you a sense of accountability and support. And it can help you to reflect on the fantastic progress you’re making. 

What are you going to do for your well-being next year?