1. Permission to snooze, granted!

Sleep is the most vital factor for wellbeing, so make it a priority. The amount of sleep needed differs from person to person- it's useful to explore how much sleep is optimal for you; consider using a sleep tracker to help with this. If your work schedule permits, establishing a consistent routine surrounding sleep through setting a regular bedtime and wake-up time is invaluable. Incorporating a regular practice of yoga nidra or non-sleep deep rest can be exceedingly beneficial too.

2. Keep an ear on your inner dialogue

Self-talk is that stream of inner chatter that we all experience. The goal isn't to stop it but to notice how it skews and how that impacts us. Over time, self-talk can knock our self-esteem and perception of the world if it's consistently harsh and self-critical; with some effort, you can reprogram your self-talk to have a positive impact. A great starting point can be to simply press pause. Giving yourself ‘time-out moments’ allows you to tune in and grow your awareness of the content of your inner chatter. Journaling is another technique that can support getting those thoughts out of your head and help create distance from them while you examine, reflect and reframe.

3. Make a move

Movement is powerful because it triggers all sorts of feel-good chemicals as it gets the blood pumping through our muscles, including our grey matter. Exercise also improves sleep (our number one wellbeing tip), so you're doubling the mental wellbeing effects. A gentle 30-minute walk in the local park each day is a great place to start and can have a real impact on your sense of wellbeing. Over time incorporating some weight-bearing exercise will increase the benefits. However, the most beneficial form of exercise is the one you enjoy!

4. Get creative

Whether experiencing other people's creative work by going to the theatre or a gallery or doing your own creative self-expression, such as a pottery class, crocheting, or drawing, creative engagement enhances a sense of flourishing and is strongly associated with boosting positive emotions. As with exercise, the best form of creativity is the one you like and enjoy, but if you don't think of yourself as creative and aren't sure where to start, get curious and experiment! Pop into a gallery, head to a concert, enrol in an art class or watch a YouTube how-to. The possibilities for creative engagement are endless.

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