Five ways to wellbeing

Research shows there are five simple things you can do as part of your daily life – for study, work and home life – to build resilience, boost your wellbeing and lower your risk of developing mental health problems. [1]

These simple actions are known internationally as the Five Ways to Wellbeing: Connect, Be Active, Keep Learning, Give, and Take Notice.

Regularly practising the Five Ways is beneficial for everyone (and for anytime along the continuum) to enhance our wellbeing when life is going well and support us when faced with stress.

Connect: Talk and listen, be there, feel connected.

• Strengthen relationships by sharing stories and encouraging each other.
• Join a *Learning Institute* peer mentoring program – insert link here*
• Join a club, connect with *Learning Institute* student life or student clubs – *insert link here* or the student union *insert link here*
• Connect spiritually *add link to Learning Institute chaplaincy service* with others
• Reach out for extra support early. Call the *Learning Institute crisis line – insert link here* or our *medical clinical – insert link here* to speak with a GP about your mental health.

Give: Do something nice for someone, show your appreciation, do something nourishing for yourself.

• Become a mentor *insert link to student mentoring program*
• Volunteer through *Learning Institute* or in the community *insert link to volunteering resources on institution website*
• Create a small gift for a friend or neighbour.

Take Notice: Pay attention to the present moment and remember the simple things that give you joy.

• Notice when you have reached your limits and prioritise what you need.
• Pay attention to the small achievements, not just the big ones.
• Develop your skills being present via mindfulness *insert link to mindfulness resource*.

Keep Learning: Embrace new experiences, see opportunities, surprise yourself.

• Learn something new or rediscover an old interest.
• Be curious, understand different perspectives and grow through challenges.
• Learn study skills through *Learning Institute*’s free Study Support *insert link*
• Sign up for an *Learning Institute careers service offering – insert link*
• Learn how to support your wellbeing *insert link to mental wellbeing self-help resources*

Be Active: Moving our bodies supports our emotional and mental wellbeing.

• Step into nature and go for a walk.
• Play a game
• Join a fitness class or social sport *insert links* through *Learning Institute*
• Learn how to dance *insert link*.

If you’d like to learn more about the Five Ways to Wellbeing, check out more resources from the Mental Health Foundation (NZ) and Wellbeing SA.

1. Aked, J., Marks, N., Cordon, C. & Thompson, S. (2011). Five ways to wellbeing: New applications, new ways of thinking. New Economics Foundation. https://neweconomics.org/uploads/files/d80eba95560c09605d_uzm6b1n6a.pdf↵

License

Mental Wellbeing Essentials (Student course) Copyright © 2022 by RMIT Mental Wellbeing Initiatives is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.