It is estimated that high levels of subjective wellbeing can add 4 to 10 years to life compared with low levels of subjective wellbeing, research shows that there are 5 things that we can do to improve our wellbeing.

5 Ways to Wellbeing

Connect – Maintaining relationships with people you trust is important for your mental wellbeing. Here are some ideas for you to consider to help you stay connected:

• Talk to someone on the phone or face to face, instead of texting or messaging them – Active Befriending Service | Age UK Somerset
• Ask how someone’s weekend was and really listen when they tell you
• Tell your family or friend something about your day
• Join a peer support group in Somerset – there are lots of different ones available on the Mind website – Adult Support Groups – Mind in Somerset
• Stay in touch with Men in Sheds through their website and regular newsletter ‘Shoulder to Shoulder’.
• If you feel more comfortable talking online, why not join Mind’s online community Side by Side | A community platform by Mind

Be active – Being active makes us feel happy! It releases chemicals in our brain which make us feel good. Here are some things you could do to move your body:

• Taking the stairs instead of the lift or walk the last part of your bus journey
• Visit Get Outside in Somerset to explore activities available in Somerset – Home Page – Get outside in Somerset
• Follow a stretching routine, yoga or seated exercises – there are lots of free follow along routines available on Youtube just search what you are looking for seated exercises – YouTube
• Join a local sports club – a directory of clubs in Somerset can be found on SASP (Somerset Activity and Sports Partnership) website Somerset Activity & Sports Partnership – Activity Finder (sasp.co.uk)
• Join and local gardening group – A list of groups in Somerset can be found on Mind’s website – Peer Support/Art/Gardening – Mind in Somerset

Take notice – There are different ways to that you can take notice, this may be taking notice of your surroundings or taking notice of yourself by listening to how you are feeling and being kind to yourself. This can be called ‘mindfulness’. Some ways people practice these are to:

• Sit quietly for a while and concentrate on your breathing
• Arts and crafts, such as drawing, painting, collage, sewing, craft kits or upcycling
• Focus on how you’re feeling in the moment
• Try meditating – apps such as Calm and Headspace are useful tools for this or you can search for free follow along routines on Youtube Mindful meditation – YouTube
• Have flowers or potted plants in your home.
• Look for the signs of the change of the seasons outside, leaves on the ground, daffodils, or blossom on the trees.
• Have a look at the things to do from Somerset Wildlife Trust

Give – Seeing yourself, and your happiness, linked to the wider community, can be incredibly rewarding and creates connections with the people around you. There are many ways you can give, whether it be through your time, words, presence. Some practical things you can do are:

• Thank someone – a shop assistant, a colleague, friend or family member
• Volunteering is a great way to help the people around you and to connect with others. There are lots of different volunteering opportunities in Somerset – you can search for what is available here: Volunteer in your community | Spark a Change
• Ringing or writing to a friend, family member or neighbour who may be feeling particularly lonely and isolated
• Spring clean cupboards and drawers and donate unwanted items to your chosen charity
• Sign up to be a Time to Connect Champion – Time to Change Somerset – Mind in Somerset

Keep Learning – Try new experiences or visit different places, learn about people and things around you by asking people questions.

• Enjoy Somerset Libraries online resources including free downloadable books, audiobooks and even magazines, or visit one of our libraries to see what’s on offer Accessible Services and Health and Wellbeing (somerset.gov.uk).
• FutureLearn and OpenLearn have free online courses you could try.
• Listen to a podcast or watch a video to learn something new and boost your wellbeing. The Mental Health Foundation have some great content here.
• Head fit – designed specifically for the Defence community, provides 24/7 access to self-help tools that can enhance mood, drive and confidence, and help Defence people manage the stresses of everyday life.

Local programmes delivered in Partnership with Public Health – Somerset County Council to promote your wellbeing

Somerset County Council, Public Health Team delivers a programme of free mental health and wellbeing activities focusing on developing emotional resilience, purpose, and participation. Please feel free to browse and join in. (accordion drop downs if possible)

Reading Well – Books on Prescription https://reading-well.org.uk/

Reading Well is a national scheme delivered locally by Public Health and Library Services, it supports you to understand and manage your health and wellbeing through reading. The books are all chosen and endorsed by health experts, as well as by people living with the conditions covered. Each library in Somerset has access to the Reading Well books for adults and young people.

Look out for the special health book collections that will also be touring a library near you Accessible Services and Health and Wellbeing (somerset.gov.uk).

Open Mental Health – Somerset’s mental health alliance – Somerset’s Mental Health Alliance – Open Mental Health

Stepladder – Men’s mental health support service, provide resources and activities targeted at men to step up their mental fitness – Stepladder | Mental Health Charity | Second Step Bristol (second-step.co.uk)

Shared Reading Groups

A group of people, one of them a trained Reader Leader, reads a great novel, short story or poem aloud. The group stop and talk about what they have read. There is no need for group members to read aloud or speak – it’s fine to just listen. Reading the literature aloud, means that everyone is involved in a shared, live experience. Group members are encouraged by the Reader Leader to respond personally, sharing feelings, thoughts and memories provoked by the reading providing a unique experience that helps people to connect and feel good. Contact your local library or telephone The Reader Organisation on 0151 729 2200. More details are available on the Somerset Libraries poster.

Wellbeing Zones

Somerset Library service has dedicated space in both Taunton and Yeovil Library for a Wellbeing Zone. They have been specially designed to be comfortable, welcoming and safe, with expert health information and a collection of health-related books. There will also be free space for health and wellbeing organisations to host health-related activities and events. Please ask the information desk in Taunton and Yeovil Library for more information.

Somerset Nature and Wellbeing Project

Being outside and enjoying nature is both enjoyable and good for us. Somerset has a wealth of natural environments which people can enjoy and gain the benefits that getting closer to the natural world can bring.

A resource, listing all the organisations that offer nature based support is in development. For more information please visit the Somerset Wildlife Trust website – Somerset Nature Connections | Somerset Wildlife Trust

Parent and Carer Toolkit

Being a parent can be the most wonderful job in the world but at some point all parents need a bit of help. Finding the right information and support can be difficult so, with the help of some Somerset parents and carers, we have identified the issues that most affect families and then gathered together the best web-based information and local support to help tackle some of these issues. Visit the Children and Young People Somerset website to find out more https://www.cypsomersethealth.org/parent_and_carer_toolkit

Time to Connect Hub
Time to Connect (formerly Time to Change) Somerset is a countywide hub made up of local organisations and individuals passionate to end mental health stigma and discrimination. Time to Change Somerset – Mind in Somerset. Our ambition is for Somerset to become a county where everyone feels safe speaking out about mental health issues and where people can secure the support they need when they need it.

If you would like to sign up as a Champion, and take part as much or as little as you like, please contact – timetoconnect@mindinsomerset.org.uk

Time to Connect Social Media handles – @timetoconnectsomerset | Linktree

SME – Workplace Emotional Wellbeing
Workplace wellbeing resources and Mental Health training for small medium enterprises in Somerset. New Leaf UK | Workplace Wellbeing and Mental Health First Aid (link to new landing page when available)

2BU – Engagement with youth LGBTQ+ community around Mental Health – to help reduce stigma and promote good mental health for young people. Welcome for LGBTQ+ young people (2bu-somerset.co.uk)

Somerset and Avon Rape and Sexual Abuse Service (SARSAS) – provide a confidential helpline, regular support sessions, counselling, and email support to individuals as well as training and advice to professionals and support for the friends and family of people affected by sexual violence. SARSAS

Mental Health Hub – a collaboration of voluntary and community organisations and social enterprises involved in delivering mental health services to people with poor mental wellbeing, and those who care for and support them. Mental Health Hub | SPARK (sparksomerset.org.uk)

Suicide Bereavement Support Service – Support for anyone bereaved by suicide provided by MIND in Somerset.
Somerset Suicide Bereavement Support Service – Mind in Somerset