The 3rd Pillar of Wellbeing
As you'll see with the remaining pillars of wellbeing - they do not sit in isolation, but rather overlap more often that not. I like to think of the 5 Pillars of Wellbeing as a framework to help ensure that I maintain a positive wellbeing, mindset or mental health.
"If you are not willing to learn, no one can help you. If you are determined to learn, no one can stop you."
Zig Ziglar
Travelling is just one way that we can keep learning, expanding our boundaries and exposing ourselves to new cultures. Travelling can help us view things from a different perspective. On a trip to Italy, we visited the beautiful ancient mountain top village in Umbria and took time to wander around. Travelling need not be far afield - it's as much the change in scene and getting out of your comfort zone that may indeed give you a different perspective on things.
Cast your mind back to the last trip away you had - I'd be surprised if you didn't at some point need to figure a minor (hopefully) issue out along the way.
Keep Learning
Keeping the mind active need not be purely academic (though this may be a way to keep the mind engaged and provide a sense of purpose at the same time).
The process of learning boosts your self confidence and help you to connect with others that have a shared interest. As mentioned previously, the 5 Pillars of Wellbeing do not stand alone from each other. To mix analogies of pillars - one activity can represent one or several of the pillars of wellbeing. Over the last year, I've met some fantastic people on the courses I have completed.
Doing something new can provide that sense of learning or problem solving; from doing the daily Wordle, cooking new recipes to taking a course in an area you are interested in. Personally, I am presently on a good streak learning French via Duolingo. I spend 5 minutes a day improving some pretty rusty French.
In this manner, the process of learning can be clearly linked to the process of Atomic Habits - in that to establish a habit you have to do it regularly and consistency. It may not feel that you are making progress if you look at it on a day by day basis, however over time you will certainly notice improvement. From my French learning experience, after almost half a year I certainly feel that my vocab and general understanding is getting better. Fortunately I have a while until my next visit to France so hopefully I'll notice the difference!
'Learning' need not seem like some sort of epic task, rather doing something differently
- Similarly, there need not be an exam at the end of it.
- Having a continued sense of learning can help provide a sense of purpose.
- You have probably come across terms like 'growth mindset' or 'continuous learning' in a work environment but actually it applies in our everyday lives.
- The difference is that we can choose when, what and how we do it. For example, if you are a keen kayaker, you may want to take more qualifications based on your skill level, that will show a sense of progression and sense of achievement.
- Some ideas to to encourage you to keep learning...
- Travel - near or far to experience something different - be it food, language, culture or way of doing things
- Cook a new recipe each week - maybe try recipes from different countries or seasonal fruit and vegetables
- Try some DIY at home- I know I certainly learnt a lot over lock down when I renovated my shed...I'd like to think I improved over time - marginally)
- Take on new responsibility at work - maybe offer to mentor a junior member of the team, sharing your knowledge
- Research something you are interested in - but haven't had time to find out about
- Read a book - fact or fiction, read something you find interesting
- Podcasts offer such a fantastic opportunity to learn almost any subject (Two of my favourites are The Rest Is History and Don't Tell Me The Score)
Practicing what I preach - I've completed the following courses
- Mental Health First Aider Course
- Science of Wellbeing - Yale University
- Thermalist Course - understanding Contrast Therapy
- NLP Practitioner Course
Most importantly - find what interests you and find out more about it....and see where it takes you.
To recap you can read our previous blogs
- 5 Pillars of Wellbeing
- 1st Pillar of Wellbeing - Connecting with others
- 2nd Pillar of Wellbeing - Be Physically Active
- Why people do yoga
- Atomic Habits post
