OUR OWN FIRST AID TO WELLBEING
- Kieran Mathewson
- Feb 24
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 21
Wellbeing is becoming more than a trend. It is becoming a way of life. An important one too! But what is it really all about?
Are we talking yoga, tree hugging chanting and meditation? Possibly. Primarily we are talking taking time. Stopping, taking a breath, looking and listening to everything that is in us and around us. Still a bit airy fairy?
Our wellbeing can be looked at on so many levels. Often like a lot of people going to the doctor, we don't deal with the problem until it really becomes a problem. We then put a plaster on it and hope that we are fixed, when in reality the thing that caused the problem still continues. How many plasters do you want to keep putting on?
So what is wellbeing? It is creating a foundation for living: clear head, good health and a general sense of feeling ok about things.
How do we fix all of this? As with everything, there is no one pill fixes all. It is about integration, integration of things, quite simply that are good for us.
How about good old fashioned tree hugging - Don’t run off just yet!! Trees actually release a chemical compound called Phytoncides:
● These are volatile organic compounds that trees emit to protect themselves from insects and disease.
● When humans inhale phytoncides, they can boost our immune system by increasing the activity of natural killer (NK) cells, which help fight infections and cancer
There is no need to go around hugging trees, but walking amongst trees and getting out in nature is not only good for our immune system. It is also good to walk. Walking helps to lower blood pressure, improve cholesterol levels, and strengthen the heart muscle, all of which contribute to a healthier cardiovascular system. But actually, just going out for a 20 - 30 minute walk is good to clear the head. This allows us a little space in a busy world too.
Walking stands out quite particularly as it looks after so many elements of our wellbeing. Taking time for ourselves, exercise, clearing our head. There are so many things that we could be doing to improve our head. Anything that can allow our brains to focus away from the world with all of its stresses and strain will have an impact. External engagement and engagement in something for yourself is very impactful. We spend so much of our time focusing on work, family friends and the home that we forget about ourselves. Did you ever have a hobby? When was the last time you picked up a paint brush, a saw and hammer, or got out in the garden? (weather permitting).
Taking a breath is a phrase that is banded about quite a lot. Especially if someone is upset about something. “Take a breath will you!” is used by someone if you are flustered or upset. How about we just take a breath. How about we all take a moment. Stress is around us and part of most of our lives and none of us really understand the health implications of continued stress. Prolonged stress can disrupt the balance in the brain, leading to increased susceptibility to mood disorders like anxiety and depression. 1 in 6 people report experiencing a common mental health problem (like anxiety and depression) in any given week in England (mind.org). As of 2023 there were 56.6 million adults in the uk (Population of the UK 2023, by age Published by D. Clark, Oct 8, 2024). That’s over 9.4 million adults in the UK suffering from anxiety and/or depression.
Having some tools to help take us away from our day to day stress are paramount to our wellbeing.
● Finding a happy place when in a stressful moment
● Breathing work
● Walking
● Hobbies
● Going for coffee
● Sitting on a park bench
● Standing and feeling the sun on your face.
Recognising that wellbeing should be part of our daily living is a good step. Finding ways to practice it is our next important step. Reducing stress is essential for our welfare and whilst unavoidable, something we can learn to manage. Especially when we see what stress does to us!
Here are some useful links:
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