Giving to Life-long Learning
These strategies are a guide to help you maintain emotional wellbeing. With all the stresses in our lives it is vital that we understand how we can reduce anxiety and live happy, healthy lives.
GIVING
Participation in social and community life has attracted a lot of attention in the field of wellbeing research. Individuals who report a greater interest in helping others are more likely to rate themselves as happy. Research into actions for promoting happiness has shown that committing an act of kindness once a week over a six-week period is associated with an increase in wellbeing.
HEALTH CHECK-UPS
Be sure to continue to monitor your health by arranging your regular preventative health checks with your GP. These include eye health checks, blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose levels, pap tests, skin cancer checks, dental checks, and weight assessments.
INTERESTS
Try to maintain interests that you have established throughout your life to maintain continuity and keep yourself connected. Activities that are outdoors and part of a group have the additional benefits of purpose and maintaining friendships.
JOIN
If you want to stay connected after you finish formal work, it is a great idea to find communities or groups now that will help you stay connected through the transition. It could be a painting group, walking group, or a group that meets to do social good, like Rotary or Lions Clubs. Join now and establish networks.
KEEP FIT
You have worked hard and it’s important that you stay fit to enjoy this next part of your life. Keeping fit can be done by joining an exercise group, but also by ensuring that you factor exercise into everyday life. Walking to the shops, playing golf, swimming, dancing and attending local community events are all great for physical fitness.
LIFE-LONG LEARNING
Continued learning through life enhances self-esteem and encourages social interaction and a more active life. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the opportunity to engage in work or educational activities particularly helps to lift older people out of depression. The practice of setting goals, which is related to adult learning in particular, has been strongly associated with higher levels of wellbeing. Why not learn something new today?
