What is the Essential Eight?

At Pharmacist Support, we believe in looking at wellbeing holistically. This led us to develop the Essential Eight, an approach to wellbeing tailored to the pharmacy profession. This builds on the foundations of the New Economic Foundation’s Five Ways to Wellbeing – Connect, Be Active, Take Notice, Keep Learning, and Give. Over the last few years, we have strengthened our existing wellbeing offer by placing greater focus on sleep, nutrition, and financial wellbeing as essential elements for feeling good and functioning well.

We have seen these eight simple, evidence based actions help people live and work better. Through the Essential Eight, we are excited to support our pharmacy family to take practical steps towards improving their wellbeing.

The Essential Eight are:

• Connect
• Be active
• Be present 
• Keep learning
• Give
• Sleep well
• Eat well
• Build financial wellbeing 

The Essential Eight is not about being perfect, and you do not need to make big changes to make a difference. Small, regular steps across any of the eight areas can support your wellbeing. Over time, building simple, healthy habits can lead to lasting positive changes in your life.

Connect

Connect with the people in your life, including family, friends, colleagues and neighbours, whether you are at home, at work, in education or in your local community. See these relationships as important parts of your life and spend time developing them. Building these connections can support you and enrich your everyday life.

Find out more about connection

Be active

Try taking a walk or going for a run. Spend some time outdoors. You might cycle, play a game, do some gardening or have a dance. Being active can lift your mood and help you feel better. Most importantly, find a type of movement that you enjoy and that matches your own mobility and fitness levels.

Find out more about being active

Be present 

Be curious about what is around you. Notice the beautiful and the unusual. Pay attention to the changing seasons. Take a moment to enjoy what you are doing, whether you are walking to work, having lunch or speaking with friends. Stay aware of your surroundings and your feelings. Thinking about your experiences and practising gratitude can help you value what matters most to you.

Find out more about being present 

Keep learning

Learning is already a big part of pharmacy life. It can support wellbeing when it builds confidence, curiosity and a sense of progress. You can also try picking up something new or returning to an interest you have put aside, such as joining a course, taking on a different task at work, fixing something, playing an instrument or cooking a favourite meal. Set yourself a challenge that you will enjoy working towards. Learning in any form can be enjoyable and help build self esteem.

Find out more about learning 

Give

Pharmacists already give so much through their work that they should be incredibly proud of. Evidence shows that giving and acts of kindness can support your own wellbeing, as well as helping others. Giving can also include small everyday acts of kindness, such as thanking someone, smiling at a patient, or doing something kind for a friend or for someone you do not know .Seeing how your happiness links with the wider community can be rewarding and can help you build stronger connections with the people around you.

Find out more about giving

Sleep well

Getting enough good-quality sleep helps your brain and body recover. It reduces ill health and improves mood, concentration, and resilience. Aim for a regular sleep routine that works for you.

Find out more about sleep 

Eat well

Eating well supports your body and mind. Try choosing meals, snacks and drinks that leave you feeling nourished and energised. Small changes can make a difference to your energy, focus and mood. Eating well can support your overall wellbeing and help you feel better day to day.

Find our more about eating well

Build financial wellbeing

Take time to understand your finances and think about what matters to you now and in the future. You might start by keeping track of your spending, setting realistic goals or exploring support if money worries are affecting your wellbeing. Small steps can help you feel more informed, prepared and able to make choices that support the things that are important to you.

Find out more about how to build financial wellbeing