August is National Wellness Month, so what if this was the month you finally put yourself and your needs on your to-do list?

Your to-do list probably looks after everyone else but yourself… and probably goes something like this…

To do list:

  • Reply to that email
  • Attend that meeting
  • Do the shopping
  • Help a family member
  • Fix something in the house
  • Book that appointment
  • Sort something on the car
  • Be there for a friend or colleague…

But where are you on the list? Life can be stressful, busy, chaotic and unpredictable so it's easy for our own needs to slip to the bottom of the list. But looking after yourself is one of the best investments you can make. 

This month is the perfect time to pause and give yourself permission to invest in your own wellness and wellbeing, because you deserve some care and attention. And, if you look after yourself proactively now, you’re protecting your health and wellbeing both now and in the future.

What is wellness and what is wellbeing?

We can think of wellness as the things we do to look after ourselves, such as our choices and lifestyle habits including nutrition, exercise and sleep. It’s the proactive steps we take to prevent illness and achieve our best physical selves.

Wellbeing is how we feel because of those choices and relates to our overall quality of life, which extends beyond the physical to include mental, emotional, social, financial and career factors.

This isn't about being perfect, it's about making small, meaningful choices that help you feel more like yourself, more confident, more resilient, more balanced and more in control of your life. These choices build your wellbeing, helping you thrive at work, at home and in everyday life. Here are our top tips to look after yourself and improve your wellness:

  1. Look after your physical health & wellbeing

    Looking after our physical health and wellbeing is vital, including making sure we're doing enough regular exercise. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate activity every week.

    It's also important to consider your nutrition, by eating a healthy, balanced diet with plenty of fruit, vegetables, whole grains and lean protein, as well as staying hydrated. Make sure you keep up with any routine health check-ups too.

  2. Focus on your mental and emotional wellbeing

    We all have mental health, just like we have physical health and it varies day to day. There's a lot we can do to look after our mental health and wellbeing proactively, including managing stress levels, deep breathing, self-care, taking time to rest and by doing activities/hobbies we enjoy. Make sure you get support when you're struggling by talking to friends, family and you can always talk to us. We also have a digital mental health platform called SilverCloud that offers support with a number of issues.

  3. Take advantage of our free Life Coaching service

    Ben’s free Life Coaching offers a space for you to reflect, reset and move forward with greater confidence and purpose. Six sessions of Life Coaching focused on you and your needs. Where could it take you? If you’d like to learn more about Life Coaching, have any questions, or would like to arrange a free 20-minute discovery call, contact the team at lifecoaching@ben.org.uk. Or find out more online by visiting www.ben.org.uk/lifecoaching.

  4. Prioritise sleep

    Most adults should aim for 7–9 hours of quality sleep each night and you can do this by keeping a consistent schedule, as well as limiting screen time and caffeine. Find out more about sleep in our online guide.

  5. Maintain friendships and social connections

    Friendships and meaningful relationships with family and other social connections are very important to our overall health and wellbeing. Spending time regularly with people who care and support us can help us reduce stress and improve our wellbeing. We have some tips on making long-lasting friendships and our connections to help you. To build your connections and social circle, consider joining clubs, volunteering, or community groups.

  6. Preventative lifestyle habits

    Consider your lifestyle habits, such as avoiding smoking, limiting alcohol, practicing good hygiene and protecting your skin from excessive sun exposure. Pay attention to changes in your health and seek medical advice when something doesn't seem right. We're also here for you when you need us.

You can also find out more about proactively looking after your wellbeing at www.ben.org.uk/wellbeing.