Trying to simplify your world is a lot easier said than done. One evidence based message delivered some years ago by the New Economics Foundation suggesting that we find five ways to wellbeing has become pertinent in recent years. Wellbeing as a buzz word trips off the tip of your tongue easily. Making sense of what your version of the all-encompassing wonderfulness of wellbeing and being well actually means is much harder. As a sportsperson, sporty person, somewhat active person, athlete, ex-athlete there may be an assumption that you are already ‘well’ because you are already active and part of say, a team or club. You might make this assumption yourself and it might also be made by those around you. Take a moment to review your own situation and think about whether you can improve any of these five areas in your life.

Connect: whilst you may be part of a team or club, have you become distant or have you resisted a return to group sessions? Even within a group session do you keep to yourself or hide in the group? Make a plan to attend a session you’ve not been at for some time, try something new, or within your current group say ‘hello’ to someone you’ve not given much time to before.

Be active: so you are already active… what’s the problem?? Is your activity doing you as much good as you think it is? Why do you do it and is it still the right thing for you? Being active means many different things. Does your version of being active add value to your life? Take time to review what you currently do and if you feel you are not gaining anything from the activity, it’s maybe time to change the habit. As before, with connecting, you might want to try something new, but it might also be that you simply head out for a run with a group of new people or try a new route.

Take Notice: In the paragraph above, taking time to review what you do is a good starting point to taking notice. Notice the physical; your physical self, your physical surroundings. Notice the emotional; your thoughts and feelings and those of others around you. Use your senses more; they inform you. Tell someone how you feel when you participate in your sport or activity. What do you smell when you are out running? Describe the touch of your tennis raquet…

Learn: See opportunity in everything you do. Be an open book and having noticed all you noticed, learn from the experiences. There are many different routes to achievement and this applies as much to sport, physical activity and exercise as any other aspect of life. Do your best to be observant and take on board different ideas trusting in yourself to choose the right route for you. This can be difficult in our world where we are given and seek solutions and advice (the five ways to wellbeing being a perfect example of this) to make things better. Learn what works for you, be adaptable and continue to learn.

Give: In the simplest of terms, treat others as you’d like to be treated yourself. The act of giving isn’t always associated with sport or exercise. What do you give when you are involved in your activity? Do you support your team mates? Yes! Do you volunteer at events? Yes! Do you listen to your run buddy? Yes! It’s super easy to give, even if sometimes the giving is to give back to yourself.