Health & Wellbeing

Looking after yourself, both physically and mentally, is so important in order to live the best life possible and be successful at college.

Here at Highbury College, we aim to support you through any difficulties you might be experiencing and help to inform you of ways to keep yourself healthy.

5 Ways to Wellbeing

What are the 5 ways to wellbeing?

The Five Ways to Wellbeing are a wellbeing equivalent of ‘five fruit and vegetables a day’. It is recommended that individuals build the Five Ways (which are described in the boxes below) into their daily lives to improve their wellbeing. By educating and engaging with these 5 aspects across a wide range of subjects, we encourage our students to monitor and increase healthy choices to enable them to reach their potential and ability to unlock a sustainable future. The 5 ways are:

• CONNECT… with the people around you. With family, friends, colleagues and neighbours. At home, work, school or in your local community. Think of these as the cornerstones of your life and invest time in developing them. Building these connections will support and enrich you every day.
• BE ACTIVE… Swap your inactive pursuits with active ones. Go for a walk. Step outside. Cycle. Play a game. Garden. Dance. Walk or cycle when making short journeys. Being active makes you feel good. Most importantly, discover a physical activity you enjoy and that suits your level of mobility and fitness.
• TAKE NOTICE… Be curious. Catch sight of the beautiful. 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. Reflecting on your experiences will help you appreciate what matters to you.
• KEEP LEARNING… Try something new. Rediscover an old interest. Sign up for that course. Take on a different responsibility at work. Fix a bike. Learn to play an instrument or how to cook your favourite food. Set a challenge you will enjoy achieving. Learning new things will make you more confident as well as being fun.
• GIVE… Do something nice for a friend, or a stranger. Thank someone. Smile. Volunteer your time. Join a community group. Look out, as well as in. Seeing yourself, and your happiness, linked to the wider community can be incredibly rewarding and creates connections with the people around you.

What subjects does Health & Wellbeing cover?

We have 5 specifically tailored courses depending on the student’s needs. These include subjects such as why young people take risk, motivation, life skills, communication, nutrition, sexual health, drugs, restorative practice and much more.

To find out more about our Health & Wellbeing sessions, contact:

  wellbeing@highbury.ac.uk

Helpful Resources

• HEALTHY EATING 
• RELATIONSHIPS 
• SEXUAL HEALTH 
• ALCOHOL AND DRUGS 
• BULLYING 
• BEREAVEMENT 
• DEPRESSION 
• ANXIETY 
• ANGER 
• STRESS 
• PANIC 
• SLEEP 
• GETTING ACTIVE 
• BE KINDER TO YOURSELF 

This information is not meant to treat depression, social anxiety, bipolar disorder or any other mental illness. The diagnosis and treatment of clinical depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder or any other mental illness requires the attention of a physician or other properly qualified mental health professional. If you are seeking diagnosis or treatment of depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or any other mental illness, you should consult a physician or mental health professional. The information on these websites is NOT a substitute for proper diagnosis, treatment or the provision of advice by an appropriate health professional.

Mindfulness

Mindfulness is a powerful way to handle stress, and live life more fully. Mindfulness is all about living fully in the present moment, without judgment, and with an attitude of kindness and curiosity. It’s about breathing, noticing what’s happening right here and now, sending a gentle smile to whatever you’re experiencing in this moment (whether it’s easy or difficult), and then letting it go. You can be mindful anytime, anywhere, no matter what you’re doing. It sounds simple, but it’s not always easy to do, especially when you are stressed!