Sometimes a small change can make a big difference.

First produced by the New Economics Foundation in 2008, the #FiveWaysToWellbeing research resulted in 5 steps that we can all take to improve our wellbeing.
five ways to wellbeing graphic

We've put together a variation of this for primary and secondary schools...

Click a heading to find out more

Give

Do something nice for a friend. Help around your home. Thank someone. Smile. Volunteer your time. Raise money for charity. Be a good role model. Take action to improve your neighbourhood and the place you live in.
Smile and be willing to give your time to a conversation
Say thank you to someone who has helped you
Give unwanted items to a local charity shop
Offer your time to do something for someone else
Offer to help your parent(s) or carer(s) round the house
Paint a picture and give it to someone
Nominate someone for an award
Give someone a hug or a fist-pump

Keep Learning

Set yourself a goal. Learn a new word or a random fact. Read a new book. Research something you’re interested in. Visit a museum. Ask questions.
Talk about what you have learned in school with friends
Discover something new and find out more about it
Visit your local/school library and pick up a new book
Learn a new hobby or a new word from another language
Learn a dance routine or the words to a new song
Show empathy. Ask how others are feeling and work out why
Ask your friends about what they are interested in and learn more about it
Learn more about your family history

Connect

Connect with people around you. Spend time with your friends and family. Make new friends. Use different ways to communicate.
Share your day with family and ask about theirs
Speak to someone new. Smile and speak to someone in the corridor
Find an old photo of a friend or family and share it with them
Don't use your phone/tablet for the day (or at least a few hours!)
If someone is upset, talk to them and make them feel better
Ask your carer or parents about their childhood
Talk to someone in person or on the phone instead of messaging
Ask a friend about their weekend and listen when they tell you

Be Active

Go for a walk or a run. Cycle, dance or play a game. Walk to school instead of getting the bus. Go to the park. Try a new activity or sport.
Play your favourite song and dance to it
If you can, try walking to school with your parent(s) or carer(s)
At break time, play a game with friends in the playground
Spend some time at your local park with family
Join a new sports team or club
Stretch and move your limbs as much as you can
Go swimming or ride a bike
Play a sport like football, golf or bowling with friends

Take Notice

Take time to be still, reflect, and become aware of your surroundings. Notice what you are thinking and be aware of what’s going on in the world around you: the everyday and the unusual. Be curious. Savour your favourite food.
Try a new way of getting to school
Stop and really take in your surroundings
Reflect on the positives and what you can be grateful for
Think about your strengths and how you can make the most of them
Think about who inspires you and why
Notice wild flowers/plants and where they grow
Notice your neighbours and people around you
Pretend you are someone else and wonder what they would think about you

Download your free #FiveWaysToWellbeing posters

Download