Ways to boost wellbeing: Practical tips you can start today

Personal wellbeing is about having enough in your tank to handle everyday life and still feel like yourself. You don’t need big changes or perfect habits to feel better.

Often the most effective ways to boost wellbeing are the small things we do consistently to help us cope, stay connected and feel more balanced.

These five wellbeing areas are a simple way to check in with how you’re going and where you might want to focus next to boost your sense of wellbeing. There’s lots of ideas here, but just start with one or two.

Connection

Firstly, connection is about feeling supported and uplifted by the people around you, and knowing you’re part of something bigger than yourself. Try a few of these tips to feel more connected:

• Pick up the phone and have a chat
• Ask someone for a helping hand when you need it
• Stop the car and have a chat with your neighbour
• Put away distractions and give someone your full attention when they are talking
• Ask a friend or loved one to help you be accountable for healthy choices you want to make
• Look for opportunities to participate and contribute to your workplace, community groups, local clubs or online communities
• Think about any disrupted relationships that you might need to work towards repairing
• Make time for a cuppa or a shared meal with someone you enjoy being around
• Join a group, club or activity that interests you, even if it’s just once to try it out
• Share something positive that happened in your day with a friend or family member
• Reach out to someone new in your community to help them feel welcome
• Start a simple weekly or monthly ritual that helps you stay in touch with someone

Healthy Body

Next, a healthy body gives you the physical steadiness and energy you need to get through each day and handle life’s demands. Give one or two of these tips a go:

• Get a good night’s sleep – go to bed earlier
• Move your body differently – try a new physical activity
• Add a new vegetable to your shopping list
• Find out what health services and activities are available in your community or online
• Exercise with a friend or family member – it helps keep you accountable
• Stay hydrated – aim for 6–8 cups of water a day
• Take note of your alcohol consumption or drug use and make healthy choices
• Make that health appointment you keep putting off
• Take a short stretch or movement break during long periods of sitting or driving
• Plan your meals or snacks ahead of time to make healthy eating easier
• Choose forms of movement that genuinely feel enjoyable so you’re more likely to stick with them

Healthy Mind

Another wellbeing focus area is a healthy mind. This is all about feeling mentally settled and having the tools to navigate stress, big feelings and everyday pressures. Try one or two of these tips to boost your mental wellbeing:

• Limit multitasking and focus on one thing at a time to reduce mental overload
• Talk through your thoughts with someone you trust instead of holding everything in
• Set a small goal for the day to give your mind a sense of directionListen to a podcast about something that interests you
• Explore a new hobby – find someone in your community or use online tutorials to help get started
• Cook a new recipe
• Visit a town, state or country you’ve not been to before
• Spend time with someone from a different generation – find out what you have in common and what you can learn from each other
• Read a book or listen to an audiobook from a different genre
• Look for opportunities to share your knowledge with others in your community

Resources

Additionally, resources are the practical supports, skills and structures that help you cope with challenges, keep life running smoothly, and connect with the world around you. Try a few of these:

• Create a simple weekly plan to help you stay on top of the essentials without feeling overwhelmed
• Ask someone you trust for advice or tips when you’re unsure where to startDrive a different route to town or go to a lookout you haven’t visited in a while – it can help you feel a renewed sense of connection to the land and country around you
• Make a list of the things you enjoy and appreciate about your job
• Do one new thing to care for the world around you
• Look at your finances, or seek help if you need some advice – it’s good for our wellbeing when we feel calm, confident and in control of our finances
• Rediscover your local community facilities and meet some family or friends there
• Roll out your swag and spend a night under the stars

Purpose

And finally, purpose comes from knowing what matters to you, and making choices that reflect your values and give you a sense of direction. Try some of these ways to boost your sense of purpose:

• Connect with a mentor who will listen, give guidance, share life lessons, and offer different perspectives
• Spend time with someone from a different generation
• Write down your values – what’s important to you – and use this list to help you make choices that align with your values
• Look out for community events or opportunities to connect with your local story, history and culture
• Start a journal, diary or a daily gratitude list
• Contribute your time and skills by volunteering in your community
• Go visiting with your pet – positively contributing to the lives of others can give us a sense of purpose
• Try something new that stretches you just a little as growth often sparks purpose

Taking small steps across these five domains can make a big difference to how you feel each day. Start with one or two ideas that fit your life and build from there.

If you’re finding things tough, try talking with a trusted friend or workmate, or connect with a professional who can help you work through what’s going on.