New Five Ways to Wellbeing digital resource launched today on ‘Brew Monday’

New Five Ways to Wellbeing digital resource launched today on ‘Brew Monday’

Why ‘Brew Monday’?
Today the Samaritans charity is reminding us all on Blue Monday to reach out for a cuppa and a catch-up with the people we care about. The third Monday in January is sometimes referred to as ‘the most difficult day of the year’ or ‘Blue Monday’ but at Samaritans they believe we all have our good days and our bad days and reaching out to others over a brew can improve our own wellbeing. So this Blue Monday, reach out and connect with family, friends, colleagues and loved ones over a brew to make it a ‘Brew Monday’ 

Wellbeing at EEAST
Connecting with others is crucial. It helps us to deal with pressures, and finding support through colleagues, friends and family is essential. Here at EEAST we are acutely aware of the challenges many of us are currently facing on a daily basis both at a professional and personal level. Our intention is to develop a wide range of support programmes and practical materials which will encourage us all to create preventative behaviours.

New Five Ways to Wellbeing guidance
Today, the EEAST Wellbeing Team has launched the latest in its range of new support materials for staff and volunteers across the Trust. Based on the NHS guidance our digital resource, The Five Ways to Wellbeing, is a range of simple ideas that can help us improve our own wellbeing.

The five areas of focus are:

• Connect
• Move
• Learn
• Give
• Notice

There is a good evidence base to suggest that the more you can build the ‘Five Ways’ into your daily routine the greater the effect on your overall wellbeing and mental health. The focus areas include investing in relationships, finding a level of activity that suits you best, learning to take notice of the simple things in life, keeping an open mind around learning, and about giving to others.

There are plenty of ideas to explore and they are broken down into things you can do if you have just a minute, an hour or longer than that. Think of them as your five a day for wellbeing.

 

You can print or download the Five Ways to Wellbeing guidance here.

This latest resource compliments our expanding range of support programmes and initiatives here at EEAST. To find out more, check out our current programmes:

• EEAST Headspace app – free meditation and mindfulness resource. If you haven’t already subscribed, sign up here.
• EAST Wellbeing Champions programme. Wellbeing Champions are available now to have that cuppa/chat and to signpost to support services. Contact Julia.Sinclair-Brown@eastamb.nhs.uk for details on Wellbeing Champions in your locality.
• EEAST Wellbeing Network – are you interested in joining the Wellbeing network? Have ideas about improving wellbeing? To join and to subscribe to the EEAST Wellbeing Network monthly circular please email Barbara.O’Rourke@eastamb.nhs.uk
• EEAST TRiM programme (trauma support) - If you or a colleague have experienced, or are experiencing trauma, contact our recently expanded TRiM team on TRiM@eastamb.nhs.uk Someone is always here to help.

Meanwhile if you or a colleague is in crisis, the following helplines are available 24/7:

EEAST Crisis Helpline - 0808 196 2370

TASC Crisis Line 24-hour Suicide Prevention Service for UK Ambulance Staff - 0300 373 0898

Your wellbeing is of paramount importance, and we are working hard to expand the range of wellbeing information and support available. Watch this space for news of further initiatives coming online.

Published 16th January 2023