LOGIC June 2017 Vol 16 No 2 | Page 35

we choose to spend our time and our attitudes. So, why is a wellbeing approach so important? Well, although I was very familiar with the Mental Health Foundation’s campaign “Five Ways to Wellbeing” I also learned other things such as: - - - - - - - Subjective wellbeing can add 4 – 10 years to a person’s life. Wellbeing can protect against developing illness – those with a high level of wellbeing are more likely to recover and survive serious illness, this includes surgery. Being a normal weight and perceiving yourself to be the right weight are both associated with higher levels of wellbeing. Smoking is associated with lower levels of wellbeing. Higher wellbeing is associated with fewer risky health behaviours among 15 – 17 year olds. Excessive screen time is linked to lower wellbeing. Happiness is contagious - a nearby friend who becomes happy increases your June 2017 L.O.G.I.C - - - - - probability of being happy by 63%. Personal Freedom and Quality of Government - how effective the rule of law is, levels of violence and corruption, effectiveness of government services, and opportunity effects subjective wellbeing. Caring about others rather than caring about one’s self, a belief in God (or equivalent higher power) has a positive impact on subjective wellbeing. Education has been found to be a virtually universal correlate of wellbeing. A workforce’s wellbeing is important in its own right: it can improve the quality of both work and people’s experience and health outcomes. People want prompt, kind and compassionate care and they are aware of the influence of the workplace on staff behaviours towards them. https://www.tepou.co.nz/initia tives/lets-get-real/107 and e-learning……. https://www.tepou.co.nz/initia tives/e-learning/188 Check out Let’s get real on Te Pou’s website….. The module may be of interest to nurses working in the primary care sector too. 33