World Mental Health Day is on 10th October.
Find ways to boost your mental wellbeing while also making the most of all the great opportunities Devon has to offer.
The five ways to wellbeing are small simple steps you can take to help build resilience, feel more positive and able to get the most out of life. They’re also all good for the planet!
These steps can be built into everyday life – find the ways that work for you
Connect
Good relationships and connecting with others builds a sense of belonging and opportunities to share positive experiences.
Whether it’s attending a repair café, joining a local climate group, or simply chatting with others who care about nature, connection with others helps to build resilience. Follow Devon Climate Emergency (DCE) on social media to stay updated on local events, climate news, and ways to get involved.
Changes in working practices such as working from home can mean you feel disconnected from being in the same space as colleagues, or sitting still for longer with less movement around the workplace or on your commute. Take a look at this blog from Active Devon with ideas on connecting with colleagues while moving more during the working day, including walking meetings and active breaks.
Be active
Being active is not only great for physical health and fitness – it also boosts your mood. Build a little more movement into your daily life and explore Devon’s stunning coastlines, moors, and woodlands. Active travel like walking or cycling not only supports your wellbeing but also helps reduce carbon emissions.
Darker and shorter days, stressful times at work and home and general day to day life can sometimes make you feel like you have no energy. This World Mental Health Day, Active Devon encourages you to get moving to support your mind as well as your body – get inspired by personal stories from people who have reduced their stress through being physically active.
Learn
Learning new skills and doing new things can improve your mental wellbeing by boosting self-confidence and creating a sense of purpose.
Learning empowers action. Discover practical ways to reduce your carbon footprint with DCE’s Top Tips or explore the emotional side of climate change through Climate Cafés.
Active Devon have created a carbon calculation tool for businesses and partners looking to measure and reduce their carbon footprint
Give
Acts of giving and kindness improve your mental wellbeing by creating positive feelings, a sense of reward and self-worth.
Volunteering can be a good way to give, and even small amounts of time or support can make a difference. From litter picks to wildlife surveys, there are countless ways to give to your community and benefit the environment.
Devon Connect is an online community hub, connecting people to their community and promoting social action. Search the Volunteering Opportunities page for ways to get involved in projects in your local communities.
Notice
Paying more attention to the present moment can improve your mental wellbeing. This includes your thoughts and feelings, your body and the world around you. Some people call this awareness “mindfulness”.
Spending time in nature can help ground you – explore Devon’s beautiful landscapes and take time to notice the wildlife, plants and seasonal changes around you.
If you’re experiencing climate anxiety, noticing and naming your emotions can be a powerful first step. The Climate Conversations toolkit offers ideas for how to reflect on your feelings and talk about them with others.
Follow these social media accounts to find out more this #WorldMentalHealthDay #WMHD
| Devon Climate Emergency | DevonClimateEmergency | |
| devonclimateemergency | ||
| devon-climate-emergency | ||
| Devon County Council | OfficialDevonCC | |
| devoncountycouncil | ||
| devon-county-council | ||
| Devon Local Nature Partnership | DevonLNP | |
| DevonLNP | ||
| Active Devon | activedevon | |
| active_devon | ||
| Linked In | active_devon |