What is Wellbeing?
There isn’t one precise definition for wellbeing, and its concept has been debated by academics. However it is generally thought of as a contented state of being happy, healthy and prosperous.
“Well-being noun: the state of being comfortable, healthy, or happy.” Oxford English Dictionary
There are a number of factors that can affect your wellbeing
- Stress
- Exercise and fitness
- Learning new skills
- Healthy eating
- Self-esteem and confidence
- Depression
- Work-life balance
- Relaxation techniques
- Careers advice
- Financial wellbeing
- Knowing how to handle difficult people
What is Togetherall?
Togetherall is a safe, online community where people support each other anonymously to improve mental health and wellbeing. Every TSW apprentice has access to Togetherall, to help support their wellbeing throughout their studies.
It’s main aim is to provide a community, where people can get (or give) the mental health support they need whenever they need it. The community is for ordinary people and is moderated by clinical professionals.
Training provided a snapshot of the Service offered by Togetherall and how the service can be accessed by any individual.
It includes a range of therapeutic pathways, including peer and professional support and creative self-expression. There is also a range of evidence-based online courses, tips and clinical tests on topics including managing anxiety, positive thinking, smoking cessation and weight management.
Counsellors are online at all times to moderate the service and provide further support. In some areas, Togetherall delivers face-to-face therapy online, via its experienced therapists or with NHS clinicians.
Togetherall was founded in 2007, in response to the lack of safe spaces to talk about mental health online. The service is now commissioned by the NHS, local authorities, employers and universities. Togetherall also works with the Ministry of Defence and Help for Heroes to provide free support for all UK serving personnel, veterans and their family members. To date, Togetherall has helped over 70,000 people to manage their wellbeing.
Apprenticeship Key ThemesIf you sign up for an apprenticeship in Wales, you’ll learn about key themes embedded in its curriculum. The key themes are consistent across every apprenticeship in Wales.
Take action, get active – Mental Health Awareness Week 2021
The Mental Health Foundation’s #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek in 2021 was ‘nature’.
It’s asking everyone to ‘Take Action, Get Active’ in May by getting outdoors for half an hour a day to raise awareness. You can run, jog, walk and skip your way to wellbeing.
TSW Training Apprenticeships Managing Director, Stuart Davies, explains how important good mental health has been to our business since we signed the Time To Change pledge:
“On 13 February 2020, the TSW team gathered to learn about the isolating effects of poor mental health. We signed the Time to Change Pledge in person, together, promising to nurture good mental health for everyone.
“We had little idea how the arrival of COVID just a month later would isolate us from our colleagues, friends and family and challenge that commitment.
“We signed the Pledge when we needed it most. We created a unique Action Plan and continued to care for mental health remotely, through one-to-one and group wellbeing and mental health awareness sessions.
“As we head into another time of change, leaving isolation, we’re trying to be as conscientious, mindful and in the moment, taking every opportunity to promote good mental health.
“This week is #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek, and the theme is ‘nature’.
“The Mental Health Foundation is asking everyone to ‘Take Action, Get Active’ in May by getting outdoors for half an hour a day to raise awareness. We’re all in, so we’ve asked our team to close their laptops, switch off for half an hour and go out for a walk.
“When COVID-19 kept us apart, walking in nature was one of the few ways we had to alleviate stress and anxiety, anchor us in the moment, and maintain good mental health. You can see our favourite places to take a stroll to get some headspace on our social media channels.”
35 stress-busting walks in South Wales
1. Tredegar House
2. Southerndown Beach
3. Aberavon Beach
4. Pontardawe Canal
5. Dyffryn Gardens
6. Ogmore Castle stepping stones
7. Parc Slip Nature Reserve
8. Aberthaw Lime Works
9. Bryngarw Country Parc
10. Bryncethin five-mile walk
11. Porthkerry Country Park
12. Cosmeston Lake
13. Gilestone Farm
14. Summerhouse Point
15. Jackson’s Bay
16. Cold Knap
17. Dunraven Walled Gardens
18. Salmon Leaps Trail
19. Merthyr Mawr sand dunes
20. Gnoll Estate Country Park
21. Roath Park
22. Pen-Y-Fan
23. Craig Yr Aber
24. Margam Park
25. Brombil Reservoir
26. Langland Bay Beach
27. Rhossilli Bay
28. Mumbles
29. Oxwich Bay
30. St Fagans
31. Dan Yr Ogof Caves
32. Waterfalls at Aberdulais
33. Sker Beach and Pink Bay
34. Kenfig Nature Reserve
35. Margam Mountain
“Spending quality time with nature can reduce stress, balance your mood and help you feel more positive. The important thing is to switch on your senses and really connect – whether that’s noticing nature on your daily jog, or listening to the birds on your woodland walk.”– Mental Health Awareness Foundation
Other tools for soothing stress
When colleagues or apprentices are stressed or anxious, the champions encourage them to take a break from their studies and work, to make time to relax.
“I am an advocate of essential oils as a method of keeping calm,” explains Sue.
“The physical act of breathing in the smell of the oil can relax not only through the mental stimulation of the sense of smell but also through slowing breathing down and taking in slow deep breaths. It helps to reduce anxiety and panic symptoms.”
“When we get stressed, start to panic, or suffer anxiety, panic attacks can be as a result of not getting enough oxygen into our systems. By using oils to slow the breathing by distracting them from their thoughts, taking in lungfuls of deep breaths, it contributes to reducing the symptoms and calming the mind.
“I swear by oils and go to bed each night half an hour early to use a oil diffuser before sleep.”
Five Ways to Wellbeing:
#1 Connect
- Connect with the people around you. With family, friends, colleagues and neighbours.
- At home, work school or in your local community.
#2 Give
- Do something nice for a friend or a stranger.
- Thank someone.
- Smile.
- Volunteer your time.
#3 Take notice
- Take notice, be curious, remark on the unusual. Notice the changing seasons.
- Savour the moment, whether you are walking to work, eating lunch or talking to friends.
- Be aware of the world around you and what you are feeling.
#4 Be active
- Go for a walk or run, step outside, cycle, play a game, garden, dance.
- Discover a physical activity you enjoy that suits your level of mobility and fitness.
#5 Keep learning
- Try something new.
- Sign up for that course or learn to play an instrument.
- Set a challenge you will enjoy achieving.
- Learning new things will make you more confident as well as being fun.
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