World Wellbeing Week 2020

This week is World Wellbeing Week 2020, which was introduced in 2019 as an opportunity for those taking part to promote overall awareness for all areas of wellbeing – including social, physical, emotional, financial, career, community and environmental wellbeing.

It aims to give recognition and support to the professional practitioners in the growing wellbeing sector and to highlight charities and social enterprises working in this area.

To support this idea, we have identified five key ways to support our wellbeing and listed a number of ways that they can be incorporated into our day-to-day schedule.

Tip 1 – Get outside

The forecast for this week in the UK is sunshine, giving us all a great opportunity to get outside and make the most of the opportunity for our bodies to generate vitamin D and support our immunity.

Some ideas for spending time in the sunshine include:

• Gardening – plant vegetables, flowers, do some weeding, or mow the lawn
• Go for a walk, a run, or a cycle ride in your lunch break
• Take your shoes (and socks) off and walk on the grass or sand
• Have a game of tennis, football or even croquet
• Jump on the kids’ trampoline if you have one – this is a great exercise for all
• If you’re working from home, can you do so from the garden?

Tip 2 – Clean up your diet

If you’re anything like us, you might have gained a few pounds during the lockdown and have perhaps been eating more comfort foods than you would ordinarily.

As we head back out into the world (and to the park or the beach), it is the ideal time to review this and we have some suggestions:

• Clean out your cupboards – remove foods that are out-of-date or that might tempt you to eat unhealthily
• Eat three healthy meals a day and limit between-meal snacking
• Stock up on fresh fruit and vegetables – and herbs and spices – fresh herbs can be grown easily on a windowsill at this time of year
• Make a list of healthy protein sources to include with each meal – eggs, fish, nuts, seeds, organic chicken
• Include healthy fats to fill you up and support brain health and focus – oily fish (salmon, herring, mackerel, sardines), nuts, seeds, avocado, olives

Tip 3 – Get involved in your community

Spending time in the community has been more difficult to achieve over the past few months as we have been confined to our homes and unable to socialise in groups.

In my town, there has been a local effort to help the vulnerable, and being part of that effort has encouraged community spirit and support for many.

As things start to open up, however, it is possibly more important than ever to work out ways to integrate back into the community and interact with others in a way that feels supportive for you. This might include:

• Arranging a weekly cuppa with a couple of neighbours
• Joining in an activity taking place locally – perhaps in the park
• If you are able, volunteer to help out with local groups or events as they work out how to set-up or re-start
• Donating can help us to feel good – lots of us have been clearing out during lockdown and now might be the time to donate the excess clothes, toys, books, food we have to local causes
• A yard/driveway/garden sale – or place any items you wish to donate outside your house for passers-by to help themselves to if they wish. This might also help you to strike up conversations with neighbours – some of whom you may not have known previously
• Shopping locally – this is especially important as local businesses re-open and need our support

Tip 4 – Relaxation techniques

The past three months have involved many of us being cut off from the world and some of us might struggle with returning to the hustle and bustle and stress of everyday life.

We are not suggesting that lockdown has been easy in any way, but returning to crowded towns, busy roads and cramped public transport may increase anxiety in the short-term as we all re-adjust.

Take time to relax and breathe deeply to support emotional and mental health – incorporating some of the following ideas into your daily routine might help:

• Spend 5-10 minutes first thing in the morning meditating, before even getting out of bed if possible, to help set your mindset for the day
• Take a break at lunchtime – get outside for at least 20 minutes
• Set an alarm to remind you to take a two-minute breath-break every hour – close your eyes and breath in and out deeply for a couple of minutes
• Look into restorative forms of exercise – try yin yoga or other restorative yoga options, tai chi, stretching, or swimming
• Take time to relax before bed each night – take a bath, drink a cup of camomile tea, read for 20 minutes, switch off all electronics an hour before bed, diffuse essential oils such as lavender

Tip 5 – Add in some supplements

Physical and mental wellbeing are both dependent upon what we put into our bodies – the old adage of ‘you are what you eat’.

For some of us, nutritional supplements may be a useful addition to a healthy diet and lifestyle, whether to provide additional support to immunity or to help with digestion, energy, or overall health.

As a supplement manufacturer, we would recommend friendly bacteria to support a balanced microbiome, and other key supplements to consider include:

• Vitamins A, C, D plus zinc and selenium for immunity
• B vitamins for energy
• Calcium for digestion
• DHA (omega 3) for brain health

#worldwellbeingweek

Like to find out more about World Wellbeing Week 2020?

• World Wellbeing Week 2020 – Sharing tips to support mental wellbeing in lockdown – Together-uk.org
• Wellbeing Week – Mentalhealth.org.uk

Want to know more?
ProVen Probiotics aim to provide the best support for both you and your health. If you wish to know more about gut health and staying healthy for World Wellbeing Week 2020 please do not hesitate to call us on 01639 825107 or alternatively, learn more via our blogs or in-depth Proven research.

ProVen Probiotics, Unit 2 Christchurch Road, Baglan Industrial Park, Port Talbot, SA12 7DJ. Tel: 01639 825107