Learn
Continued learning throughout one’s lifetime enhances self-esteem, encourages social interaction and heightens well-being.
A few tips:
- Discover something new about your colleagues
- Register for a guest lecture at a nearby university
- Read the news on your commute
- Research a topic that interests you
- Learn a new language
Exercise
Cardiovascular activity correlates with lower depression and anxiety rates, slower age-related cognitive decline and higher well-being across all ages.
A few tips:
- Take the stairs instead of the lift
- Go for a wander at lunchtime
- Walk to work, perhaps with a colleague to ‘bond’ as well
- Get off the bus one stop earlier to walk the final part of the journey
Absorb
Making an active effort to ‘absorb’ or 'acquire' knowledge or generally be more curious, can broaden one’s conscious awareness. Evidence shows that focusing on and appreciating the present, enhances well-being and reaffirms one’s life priorities.
A few tips:
- Buy a houseplant for your desk
- Dedicate a ‘clear the clutter’ day
- Take notice of how your colleagues are dealing with the day’s priorities
- Deviate from your usual route to work or place for lunch
Donate
Individuals who report a greater interest in helping others are more likely to consider themselves as content. Research into actions promoting happiness has shown that committing an act of kindness once a week over a six-week period is associated with an increase in well-being.
A few tips:
- Perform a random act of kindness
- Give money to charity
- Help out at a local community group
- Volunteer for a cause close to you
- Say thank you and smile more often
Sync
Humans have an innate desire to ‘sync’ with, feel close to or feel valued by others. It is a fundamental ingredient to functioning well in the world.
A few tips:
- Have a 1:1 instead of sending an email
- Get to know someone new
- Give a colleague a lift to or from work
- Put 5 minutes aside to ask how someone’s weekend was
Altruist Enterprises are passionate about improving wellbeing. We ensure that individuals have the tools to support themselves and each other, through the many challenges of work and home. Visit our workplace wellbeing training services page to find out more about our training courses including Mental Health Training For Managers, Mental Health At Work Training For Employees and more.