Managing your wellbeing in the workplace
Working in a pharmacy setting can be stressful. This page provides useful guidance and advice on looking after your wellbeing in the workplace.
Wellbeing is the state of having good mental health, high life satisfaction, a sense of meaning or purpose, and the ability to manage stress.
It has found that feeling good consists of experiencing positive emotions such as happiness, contentment and enjoyment, as well as feelings of curiosity, engagement and safety. Positive mental wellbeing is not necessarily the absence of negative emotions. People with high levels of wellbeing will still experience feelings of sadness, anger and stress, but are likely to be better able to cope with these without a significant impact on their mental health.
The New Economics Foundation (NEF) has identified five ‘ways to wellbeing’. These are:
- connect
- be active
- take notice
- keep learning
- give.
Explore the 5 ways to wellbeing with this handy downloadable poster
The self-study module below covers the five ways to wellbeing and ideas on how you can implement them into your life to manage your own mental wellbeing.
Five Ways to Wellbeing
An Introduction to
Before you begin, remember to:
• Be honest and open with yourself
• Treat yourself with kindness and respect
• Be present
• Enjoy!
Wellbeing is individual.
Wellbeing means something different to each of us. Take a minute or two to make a mental note of how you are feeling both physically and emotionally.
Five Ways to Wellbeing.
Five key actions play an essential role in enhancing wellbeing. You could say they're your five a day.
• Connect
• Be Active
• Take Notice
• Keep Learning
• Give.
Connect.
Being close to and being valued by other people is a fundamental human need and one that contributes to functioning well in the world.
ACT NOW: Take a moment to think of a friend, family, neighbour, or colleague you could take some time to connect with. Read our factsheets on connecting with others.
Be Active.
Regular physical activity makes us feel good. It releases endorphins and helps to disperse the adrenaline that builds up with stress. It is associated with a greater sense of wellbeing and lower rates of anxiety and depression across all age groups.
ACT Now: Why not sign-up to a free fitness app such as Runkeeper, an easy to use running, walking and hiking app with handy training plans for all levels? Have a look at our list of suggested apps.
Take Notice.
Being aware and attentive to what is taking place in the present can help you have a more positive outlook. Taking notice of the good things, even in difficult times, can take you away from past worries and concerns, and anxiety about the future. It allows you to enjoy the present. Read our factsheets on mindfulness.
Keep Learning.
Continued learning can enhance your self-esteem and encourage social interaction.
ACT NOW: Try setting a goal this week to discover something different or stretch your existing knowledge and skills. This could be cooking something new, taking up a new hobby or starting a DIY project.
Give.
Helping others is associated with increased feelings of wellbeing. It may be through volunteering, donating to a charity or sponsoring a friend in a challenge.
ACT NOW: Whether it's a smile, a thank you or a kind word, why not take the time to give something extra to a stranger, friend or colleague this week?
Don't forget.
Imagine wellbeing as something that is fluid. It fills up and drains out.
ACT NOW: Write down three things each day that you are grateful for. It might be a challenge after a particularly difficult day but it's a good habit to get into.
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