It’s the start of a new decade, and after a tough 10 years there’s a lot to look forward to. Here at Cityscape, we have adopted the 5 Ways to Wellbeing as a kaupapa, or set of principles, underpinning our editorial direction for 2020 and beyond.
We want to help our readers find ways to connect with each other and the wider community; be active by finding a physical activity they enjoy; take notice of the world around them and how they are feeling; keep learning by trying something new; and give by volunteering or joining a community group, or just doing something cool for a friend or stranger. In this issue we take a deep dive into the 5 Ways to Wellbeing and look at ways to put them into practice. We also check out some of the city’s businesses and clinics that can help you on your path to wellbeing.
The 5 Ways to Wellbeing were formulated in 2008 by a UK think-tank tasked by the British government with developing a set of rules for wellbeing similar to the ‘5+ a day’ fruit and vege rule. The brief to the think-tank, the New Economics Foundation, was: These had to be actions that anyone could do; There had to be evidence that when practised often they would make people feel better. The foundation came back with its five actions and extensive scientific evidence to show that if done regularly, they will lift your wellbeing. Since then, mental health agencies and organisations around the world have picked up the list. In New Zealand, the Mental Health Foundation champions them through its website and various publications, and has translated them into te reo. In Christchurch, All Right?, a campaign launched in 2013 to support Cantabrians in the aftermath of the earthquakes, reinterpreted them into eight different languages: Farsi, Nepali, Chinese, Korean, Amharic, Arabic, Hindi and Somali.
Connect
With the people around you. With family, friends, colleagues and neighbours. At home, work, school or in your local community. Think of these as the cornerstones of your life and invest time in developing them. Building these connections will support and enrich you every day.
Be active
Go for a walk or run. Step outside. Cycle. Play a game. Garden. Dance. Exercising makes you feel good. Most importantly, discover a physical activity you enjoy and that suits your level of mobility and fitness.
Take notice
Be curious. Catch sight of the beautiful. Remark on the unusual. Notice the changing seasons. Savour the moment, whether you are walking to work, eating lunch or talking to friends. Be aware of the world around you and what you are feeling. Reflecting on your experiences will help you appreciate what matters to you.
Keep learning
Try something new. Rediscover an old interest. Sign up for that course. Take on a different responsibility at work. Fix a bike. Learn to play an instrument or how to cook your favourite food. Set a challenge you will enjoy achieving. Learning new things will make you more confident as well as being fun.
Give
Do something nice for a friend, or a stranger. Thank someone. Smile. Volunteer your time. Join a community group. Look out, as well as in. Seeing yourself and your happiness linked to the wider community can be incredibly rewarding and creates connections with the people around you.
Putting it into practice
The Cityscape team has searched for how to build the 5 Ways to Wellbeing into your daily life.
Keep learning
Music soothes the soul and the cool cats at SOLE Music Academy want to pass their knowledge on to you. These guys will help you smash your music dreams. There’s no better time than the present to learn a new skill.
The World Wide Web is chocker with inspirational, motivational and educational courses. Lucy Sheridan is a prime example. She wrote The Comparison Cure, and her online course will have you living like a boss, staying in your own lane and never comparing yourself with anyone else again.
Food is fabulous and if musical talent and motivational courses aren’t your thing, we’ve got something for you. Food Matters TV is a community dedicated to the glories of food. You’ll discover some primo recipes, yoga and exercise programmes, documentaries that are food- and health-related, interviews with experts telling you how to live your best life and helpful guided programmes.
Challenge everything! It’s the best way to expand your mind. Gaia will help answer all life’s deeper questions – this supportive online network is empowering an evolution of consciousness. Find stacks of titles that challenge modern paradigms.
Head back to the classroom and learn a skill you’re actually interested in. If face-to-face learning is more your thing, Risingholme is a local community centre that offers classes in anything imaginable. You could pick up some new digital skills, learn another language or dabble in some pottery. The options are endless.
Learn from the best and at your own pace with an online MasterClass. If cooking tickles your fancy, you can follow along with the best of the best, Gordon Ramsay, or if you’ve got a passion for fashion and are keen to be a strong leader, Anna Wintour of Vogue fame will walk you through some creative tips. There’s 70-plus creators, all at the top of their field and ready to share their wealth of knowledge and get you inspired – yas motivation!
Be kind, be inspired and don’t get overwhelmed by this crazy life! Ruby Jones is the author of thoughtful gift book All of this is for You, which is full of heartfelt, hand-lettered artworks and messages to bring a smile to your face and give you the boost you may need. She also runs workshops to help you tackle anything.
Further Reading
The Big Leap: Conquer Your Hidden Fear and Take Life to the Next Level - Gay Hendricks
The Happiness Project - Gretchen Rubin
On Being Nice - The School of Life from Pepa Stationery
Give
Gift gratitude to yourself or that special someone. Something as simple as making a point to stop and look around each day to find things to appreciate can really brighten your day and make you remember not to sweat the small stuff. A minimum of three things you’re grateful for each day is a must!
Pay it forward It’s easy to get bogged down in work and life, but something as simple as a random act of kindness can make someone’s day. Give out a compliment, pay forward your daily coffee, smile at a stranger on the street or give someone you care about a phone call just to say hi. You’ll feel better for it and so will they!
Connect
Here’s a great idea from our friends at Pepa Stationery. Nominate someone you think would benefit from a bunch of letters of encouragement and inspiration. Each month the Pepa crew choose a nominee and then it’s over to you and your fellow letter writers to flood them with an outpouring of anonymous affirmation. Pop in to Pepa, use their pens, paper, stickers and glitter, and brighten someone’s day!
podcasts for the soul
Good Life Project Stories, conversations, resources and community.
Up for a chat Health, wellbeing, relationships and mindset.
Mind Matters More With Dr Andrew Maleknia.