Do you find yourself stressed, anxious, or more down than usual? Do you find that your go-to de-stressors just aren’t cutting it anymore? Hopefully, these suggestions will help you beat the drudgery of the day-to-day.
Enhance your mental health with these simple and healthy ways
The Five Ways to Well-Being was originally developed by the New Economic Foundation in the UK, with the goal to address and improve the mental health and well-being of their constituents. We’ve adapted the five ways in our context and suggest simple ways how you can apply these tips in your life.
Learn something new every day.
Several studies have shown that continuous learning helps our minds grow stronger. Practicing a new skill actually helps our performance on certain tasks, and even lowers the risk of dementia.
Adopting a learning mindset also increases our confidence, builds a sense of purpose, encourages us to stay connected with others, and pushes us to set goals. It’s also a new way to challenge yourself to do things differently. Whenever we reach milestones in our learning journey, we feel more accomplished, giving us the drive to do more and achieve more.
Learning can be taking on a new skill like cooking, gardening, or painting. You can also sign up for courses that you’ve always been curious about, or upskilling in your current career. It can even be as simple as listening to a podcast or audiobook whenever you run errands or do chores. The joy of learning is a reward in itself, and it’s a great way to add value to yourself and build on what you already have.
Be active.
Exercise has also shown to minimize symptoms of depression and anxiety. That’s because regular physical activity releases feel-good chemicals in our brains that enhance our sense of well-being. Exercise also helps take our minds off of worries and other negative thoughts, making it a healthy way to cope. Much like learning, consistent exercise over time gives us a sense of accomplishment and a boost of confidence, especially when we meet the goals we set for ourselves.
Starting a regular exercise routine can be a challenge, but it doesn’t mean you have to run a marathon right away. Start by taking 5 or 10 minute walks, and gradually increase your distance and speed incrementally. Invest in a fitness band or smartwatch so that you can keep track of your progress over time. You can check out YouTube for low-intensity workouts, dance videos, or yoga classes. The mWell app also includes beginner-friendly fitness and nutrition programs that are simple and easy to follow. (Of course, don’t forget to consult your doctor first before starting any exercise routine!)
At the end of the day, exercise isn’t a chore or a “should” that you need to tick off your to-do list. Instead, think of it as a tool to help you get better—and be better overall.
Be generous.
We’re not just talking about donation drives or charity here. The truth is we all lose sight of the fact that we have something to offer, but giving our time and talents matter, too.
Small acts of kindness are rewarding. Saying “thank you” to someone who has helped you is a great way to get started. You can catch up with a loved one and spend the day with them; you can also call a friend, ask how they’re doing, and offer support. Alternatively, volunteering your time and skills for a cause you support gives you greater opportunities to connect with people you haven’t met.
Living a life that gives to others takes excessive focus off of ourselves and enriches our lives in greater, more meaningful ways.
Connect with others.
There’s nothing like a solid support system to celebrate with you in your highs, or empathize with you in your lows.
We’re all naturally social creatures, and need others around us to build a sense of belonging and self-worth. When we build meaningful connections, we have opportunities to build positive experiences with them, receive the support we need, and be able to give support in turn.
The key to connecting with others is being intentional. Spend some much-needed time with your family, or set up a date with friends you haven’t seen in a while.
Connect with yourself.
Paying attention to yourself at the present moment—specifically, your own thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations—is called “mindfulness.” It’s easy to lose sight of ourselves when life gets too busy, or we’re surrounded by too many distractions. Practicing mindfulness is key to centering ourselves and being aware of the world around us.
Journaling is an easy way to get started, as the act of writing slows your mind down and lets you focus on your thoughts in the present. You can also try meditation with a guided app, or even trying yoga. The key is to take time each day for yourself to check on how you’re really doing, silence your fears, and move forward with confidence and clarity.
Embrace wellness with PLDT Home
The goal behind enhancing well-being is progress, not perfection—and your journey to well-being doesn’t stop at consistently following these habits to a T. What matters is that you’re growing, receiving the support that you need, and even giving support in turn.
You can also find the holistic health support that you need with mWell via your PLDT Home Fiber Plus plan. The app gives you access to teleconsults and nutrition and fitness programs for your family’s health and well-being. Learn more about mWell here!