Emotional Health and Wellbeing Emotional Health and Wellbeing Study DayStudy DayMay 2012 May 2012

Five Ways to WellbeingFive Ways to WellbeingNew Economics Foundation New Economics Foundation

New Economics New Economics FoundationFoundation

‘ ‘ to develop a set of evidence-to develop a set of evidence-based actions to improve based actions to improve personal well-being... and personal well-being... and provide people with the provide people with the understanding and tools to understanding and tools to redefine wealth in terms of well-redefine wealth in terms of well-being.’being.’

Well-beingWell-being

The concept of well-being comprises of The concept of well-being comprises of two main elements:two main elements:

• Feeling goodFeeling good• Functioning wellFunctioning well

positive relationships positive relationships happinesshappiness

control over one’s lifecontrol over one’s lifecontentment enjoyment curiosity contentment enjoyment curiosity

sense of purposesense of purpose engagementengagement

positive relationships positive relationships happinesshappiness

control over one’s lifecontrol over one’s lifecontentment enjoyment curiosity contentment enjoyment curiosity

sense of purposesense of purpose engagementengagement

Greatest ImpactGreatest Impact

• The things we doThe things we do

• The way we thinkThe way we think

Selection ProcessSelection Process

• Evidence-based - little well-being evidence to date but impact of specific interventions beginning to emerge

• Universal appeal – all ages, backgrounds, etc

• Target the individual – making changes for personal well-being

• The need for variety – a means of reaching a diverse population and engaging as many people as possible

Connect...Connect...

• Social relationships are critical for promoting well-being and for acting as a buffer against ill health across all ages

• Happy people have stronger social relationships than less happy people

• Life goals linked to a commitment to family and friends promoted life satisfaction. In contrast, life goals associated with career or material success were detrimental to life satisfaction.

Evidence from Foresight Challenge Reports 2009

Be Active...Be Active...

• Regular physical activity is associated with a greater sense of well-being and lower rates of depression and anxiety across all age groups.

• Physical activity is a good mechanism for slowing age-related cognitive decline and central to cognition in children.

• Physical activity does not have to be intense to generate a sense of ‘feeling good’.

Evidence from Foresight Challenge Reports 2009

Take notice...Take notice...

• Being in a state known as mindfulness has also been shown to predict positive mental states, self-regulated behaviour and heightened self-knowledge

• Being aware of what is taking place, in the present, directly enhances well-being and savouring an experience can help reinstate life priorities.

Evidence from Foresight Challenge Reports 2009

Keep learning...Keep learning...

• The continuation of learning through life has the benefits of enhancing an individual’s self-esteem, encouraging social interaction and a more active life.

• Participation in self-generated lifelong learning serves to positively impact on an individual’s well-being and resilience.

• Goal-directed behaviour, at any age, is positive for mental health.

Evidence from Foresight Challenge Reports 2009

Give...Give...

• Mental well-being is enhanced when an individual is able to achieve a sense of purpose in society and thus contribute to their community.

• Helping, sharing, giving and team-orientated behaviours are associated with an increased sense of self-worth and positive feelings.

• Feelings of life satisfaction have been strongly associated with active participation in community life.

Evidence from Foresight Challenge Reports 2009

Ofsted: Spiritual, moral, Ofsted: Spiritual, moral, social and cultural social and cultural

developmentdevelopmentIn considering how well a school

promotes pupils’ SMSC development inspectors should:

“...take into account teaching that encourages participation, creativity, reflection, consideration for needs of others, self-reliance and independence.” Janet Palmer National Advisor HMI Ofsted

SMSC – Subsidiary Guidance 2012

Five Ways to Five Ways to WellbeingWellbeingActivityActivity

GiveGive

TakeNoticeTake

Notice

ConnectConnect Be Active

Be Active

Keep Learning

Keep Learning