Self-care
Self-care helps you to stay as healthy and as independent as you can. It's about making small lifestyle changes that can have a big effect on your wellbeing.
Self-care can be as simple as calling a friend for a chat, doing a bit of exercise or joining a lunch club. It is also about managing any conditions you have in a way that puts you in control and improves your quality of life.
Find out more about how you can look after your health and wellbeing in the sections below:
Your mental wellbeing
Take a look at our five areas of well-being to get you started: Connect, Be Active, Give, Take Notice, Learn. You can also find out more more about improving your mental wellbeing on NHS.UK
Connect
Strong social relationships are key to maintaining your health and wellbeing.
Get started. Going to Friday prayers, your local church, singing group or language club, are a great place to start.
Be Active
It's important to stay active, for both body and mind. Eating a healthy, balanced diet and exercising regularly is an important part of maintaining good health, and can help you feel your best. How much physical activity you need to do each week depends on your age.
Get started. Do a crossword puzzle, go for a walk in the local park, or join a walking or gardening group. For something more challenging go for pilates or yoga classes, badminton, zumba or join a football group.
Give
Lending a hand to others can boost your mood and help combat loneliness and depression.
Get started. Reach out to volunteer at a local charity shop or faith group. We have a range of volunteering opportunities, at local museums and community centres.
Take Notice
Taking a moment to pay more attention to the present – to your thoughts, feelings and the world around you – can significantly improve your mental wellbeing and relationships.
Get started. Start in your local park, take some time to notice the sights, smells and sounds around you. Try our services which include gardening, yoga and massage.
Learn
Learning in later life can help your confidence, your connection to your community, and improve your digital skills.
Get started. Start with your local library, the University of the Third Age, or try local book and history groups. Learn a new skill or reignite an old hobby with our classes on cooking, IT, reading and languages.
Be prepared
Even a minor illness and ailments such as colds, headaches and diarrhoea can disrupt your life. Be prepared for most common ailments by keeping a well-stocked medicine cabinet at home.
Ask your pharmacist
Pharmacists are experts in many aspects of healthcare and can offer advice on a wide range of long-term conditions and common illnesses such as coughs, colds and stomach upsets. You don't need an appointment and many have private consultation areas, so they are a good first port of call. Your pharmacist will say if you need further medical attention.
NHS health checks
The NHS health check is your chance to get your free midlife MOT. For adults in England aged 40-74 without a pre-existing condition, it checks your circulatory and vascular health and what your risk of getting a disabling vascular disease is. This guide explains what happens at the check, when and how you get one, and how to lower your risk.
Where can I find more information?
NHS.UK
The NHS.UK website is full of information, tips and tools that can help put you in charge of your own health and wellbeing.
There you will be able to find:
- A symptom checker
- An A-Z of treatments and conditions providing explanations on a wide range of illnesses and ailments
- Information, tips and tools to help you stay healthy and live well
