How I'm using the five ways to wellbeing to look after my mental health

Part 1: Be Active

There are 726 tiles in my kitchen!

We are certainly going through strange times. Like everyone else my life has undergone significant changes in the last week. So I now find myself cooped up at home. What can I do, I can’t keep counting the tiles in the kitchen, I have my mental wellbeing to think about.

Being a volunteer with Lancashire Mind I am well aware of the ‘Five ways to wellbeing’ that Lancashire Mind promote. Very quickly the five ways are Connecting, Learning, Activity, Noticing and Giving. I remember them as CLANG!

I’m using each of the ‘five ways’ extensively while I’m at home and in this blog I’ll focus on how i'm doing one - Be active. I’ve always been an active person swimming, yoga classes, walking in the Lakes, etc. Now all of that has suddenly stopped and I’m limited to one exercise activity a day.

There was only one thing for it, get my old bike out of the garage and dust it off. I certainly do not have the figure to wear Lycra although if I did wear Lycra it would certainly keep people the required two metres away!

My first outing was on Sunday and oh boy! I’d forgotten how hard the saddle was. I spend the rest of the day waddling around like a cowboy who had spent too long on his horse. However I stuck with the cycling and after a few outings it’s getting easier.

I’m also practising a bit of yoga each morning. Just to be clear this is over 50's yoga so nothing too spectacular although good for my physical and mental wellbeing. I have ditched the lime green leotard in favour of an old tee shirt and a pair of tracksuit bottoms which is better for everyone’s wellbeing.

Well that’s the active part of my day and as I said earlier I’m certainly finding doing one of each of the ‘five ways’ very helpful to see me through these difficult times. At least I’m not counting the kitchen tiles anymore.

That’s a bit about what I’ve been getting up to but what about you? The team at Lancashire Mind would be delighted to hear what you’ve been doing to fill your day. Your ideas could be helpful to others who are perhaps struggling to cope with such a drastic change to their daily routine.

I wish you well and keep safe.

Jon

Lancashire Mind is a company limited by guarantee (company number 3888655) and a registered charity in England and Wales (registered number 1081427) at 80-82 Devonshire Road, Chorley, Lancs, PR7 2DR. Lancashire Mind are registered with the Fundraising Regulator. For all enquiries, call us on 01257 231660.
Log in | Powered by White Fuse