Getting Started

Practicing thoughts and behaviours that boost your health may help build well-being. These include everything from how you deal with stress to eating and sleeping well. Health includes physical, mental, and emotional pieces. Growth in any of those areas may improve well-being.

Here are some things you can do.

• Practice gratitude.

  Be thankful for your friendships and tell your friends why you appreciate them. Notice the parts of your life that are going well by writing them down each day. Focus on and appreciate the little things: a nice day, a pet, or a good meal.

• Find a physical activity that you enjoy.

  Any movement is good movement. Some people are happier, less stressed, and sleep better when they're active.

• Consider adding creative pursuits.

  You can try expressive writing (don't worry about grammar, commas, question marks, just write about what you feel, see, or think), bake bread, create art, attend a book club or play music.

• Prioritize sleep.

  Not getting enough sleep may increase your risk of injuries, high blood pressure, and feeling depressed. Going to bed and waking up at the same time may help. You can also use a calming routine, like reading, bathing, or listening to music before bed.

• Ask for and accept help.

  Sometimes the hardest step to take is to ask for and receive help. When you're overwhelmed, talking about your thoughts and feelings may help you feel better. You can talk to someone helpful to you, like a close friend, your family doctor, or a counsellor.

• Accept your thoughts and feelings.

  There are no good or bad feelings. All of your feelings are part of being human. It is not necessary to push them away or ignore them. Feel what you feel. You might find that it helps to stop and think about why you are feeling the way you do.

These are just a few ways to build well-being. There are many more. Try a few of these, or maybe you'll come up with one of your own.