ANEWYEARINKENT
SIX ( SIMPLE ) STEPS TO WELLNESS … CONT .
Give
Giving to others is perhaps the most pro-social behaviour a human can display . The very recognition that there are people less fortunate than us that could benefit from our spare time , cash or simple recognition is a good start , but it ’ s a far better idea to turn your kindness , empathy and support into positive action . As is demonstrated brilliantly by Phoebe in that classic Friends episode ‘ The One Where Phoebe Hates PBS ’, there isn ’ t really such thing as a selfless act – when we give to others , it has a direct and beneficial effect on our own mental wellbeing , gives us a greater sense of purpose and makes use feel happier about life generally . But who cares ? The act of giving is far from selfish and if it generates a cycle of warm fuzziness beginning with the giver and continuing with the recipient then bring it on – we need more of it !
On the smaller scale , doing something thoughtful such as offering a friend a short break from their small children so they can have some headspace , giving a stranger on the bus the 50p they need towards a fare , or thanking someone personally for their help with a coffee and a smile are all hugely valid and greatly appreciated ways to give . On a bigger scale , volunteering any spare time you have to a food bank or soup kitchen to help the homeless is a fantastic way to reach out to people who are less fortunate .
Working that closely with vulnerable people doesn ’ t suit everyone , though , and that ’ s OK . If you ’ re handy with knitting and crochet , make warm clothing for mother and baby shelters ; if you ’ re a professional , find a school that needs motivational speakers , or mentor a young person interested in your industry ; if you ’ re an animal lover , donate a few hours of your time to a shelter . Seek and you will find lots of opportunities to make a really significant difference to someone else ’ s life .
TRY THIS : Become a Befriending Volunteer in Ashford at Kent Volunteers , kentvolunteers . org . uk / areas / ashford
Prioritise and Connect
When did ‘ me time ’ become something that we ’ re supposed to feel guilty about ? Sometimes there ’ s an essential need for a little selfishness , even if that involves a simple ten-minute meditation , or a short walk on your own , so make sure you focus on yourself as well as others – if you ’ re run down and stretched too thinly , but everyone else is well looked after , the scales are tipping too far in the wrong direction .
The internet – particularly social media – can be addictive and can swallow up precious minutes if you let it , plus there have been numerous reported cases of people getting hugely depressed because they ’ re obsessing about the apparent Pinterest-perfect of lives of others in comparison to their relatively ‘ normal ’ existence . Put the laptop away and spend any free time you have with real people in real situations – it ’ s far less distracting and far more fun .
The importance of setting goals , deciding which are most important , and then doing the most important things first is not to be underestimated . The problem is often figuring out what it is that ’ s most important . Ask yourself on any given day , in any given moment , what is your priority ? Is checking your emails more important than calling your mum ? Would it be a nice idea to bring a little more ‘ you ’ to work and organise a fun team day , or reach out and engage a little more with your local community ? If you think of these as the cornerstones of your life and invest time in developing them , the enrichment that brings will benefit everyone involved .
TRY THIS : Head to a Kentish village with a friend of family member and really take it all in ; the history , the atmosphere , the architecture . If you ’ re unsure where to start , take a trip to the medieval arch bridge across the River Medway in Aylesford and go with the flow …
Take Notice
You ’ ve probably seen or heard the phrase ‘ look up ’ on a motivational quote or two , which simply means to become more aware of your surroundings . Too often we ’ re rushing from A to B , dodging the crowds and looking at the ground rush past us , but looking up , catching sight of the beautiful and remarking on the unusual is a fantastic start in your bid to take more notice and savour day-to-day life . Realising the simplest things around us – the house with the chintzy garden that you pass every day on the way to work ; the elderly person in the park that feeds the birds ; or the landscape that rolls past the train window on your morning commute – is a tried and tested mood booster that helps you stay present , understand yourself better , appreciate what you have and keep calm .
Let ’ s just take a minute for the people that might struggle with this ; perhaps find it all a bit air-fairy . It ’ s OK . Rome wasn ’ t built in a day and all that jazz , and going from being someone that ploughs through the day like a well-oiled machine to someone that stops and smells the roses ( literally ) may not come naturally . A good place to start is to tune in with the five senses : smell , sight , hearing , touch and taste . Sit down somewhere comfy and , in sequence , focus on five things you can see , four things you can touch , three things you can hear , two things you can smell and one thing you can taste . If you ’ re feeling distracted or overwhelmed , it ’ s an iK promise that this will calm your mind .
TRY THIS : Lullingstone Country Park is a Kentish countryside gem ; find an idyllic spot ( an easy task – the park is internationally known for its incredible collection of ancient trees ) and try the five senses exercise .
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