5-a-day for a healthy body, 5 more for a healthy mind

The 5-a-day campaign is based on advice from the World Health Organization which recommends eating a minimum of 5 portions of fruit and vegetables per day to lower the risk of serious health problems.  5-a-day caters to the hectic lifestyles of modern Brits encouraging simple easy measures, making change accessible to all. 

With a similar aim in mind, in 2008 the Government commissioned a review of the work of over 400 scientists from across the world to create a set of five simple actions which can improve psychological well-being in everyday life. Following are the 5-a-day ways to wellbeing created by The New Economics Foundation:

Take notice… Be curious.  Catch sight of the beautiful and remark on the unusual.  Notice the changing seasons.  Reflecting on your experiences will help you appreciate what matters to you.

Connect…. With the people around you - at home, at work and in the local community.  Building these connections or ‘cornerstones’ of your life will support and enrich you.

Be active… Go for a walk or run.  Step outside, cycle, play a game, garden, dance.  Exercise makes you feel good.

Keep learning… Try something new. Sign up for that course.  Set a challenge you will enjoy achieving.  Learning new things will make you more confident as well as being fun.

Give.. Do something nice for a friend, or a stranger. Smile or volunteer your time.  Look out as well as in.  Seeing yourself linked to the wider community can be incredibly rewarding and creates connections with the people around you.