How to Achieve Sustainable Wellbeing: The 5 Step Guide

Unfortunately, sustainable well-being and individual well-being are not at the forefront of most people's minds. This is likely because of a lack of awareness; when was the last time you heard on the news that they were talking about sustainable wellbeing as opposed to economic growth or public policy?

In our busy lives, achieving sustainable human wellbeing, i.e., a balance between health, wellbeing, work, family life, and leisure, can be challenging. However, with the right strategies in place, we can ensure sustainable well-being and personal growth over the long term.

By taking steps to prioritise our physical and mental health, we can achieve a healthy balance that will benefit us both now and in the future.

This 5-step guide will provide you with practical tips for creating healthy habits that will lead to sustainable well-being.

From simple lifestyle changes such as getting more sleep or eating healthier foods to guided meditation techniques that can help you manage stress more effectively, we’ll cover how to create an environment where your mental health flourishes day by day!

Let's begin by recognising the power that healthy habits can give you.

 

1. Recognize the Power of Healthy Habits

Healthy habits are the foundation of sustainable physical and emotional wellbeing. They provide us with the necessary tools to manage our physical and mental health in the long term, allowing us to enjoy a balanced lifestyle surrounded by harmonious relationships.

Creating healthy habits can be challenging at first, but it is important to remember that even small changes can make a big difference.

Understanding the link between habits and wellbeing

Habits are powerful tools that can help us achieve sustainable wellbeing. They provide us with the necessary skills and strategies to manage our physical and mental health in the long term, allowing us to enjoy a balanced lifestyle surrounded by harmonious relationships.

Understanding the link between habits and wellbeing is key to creating healthy habits that will lead to sustainable well-being. By understanding the link between our habits and our wellbeing, we can create healthy habits that will help us achieve our goals and maintain a balanced lifestyle, enabling us to keep going for longer.

Making better choices that support lasting wellbeing

We can start by making small changes in our daily lives that will support our physical and mental health in the long term. These changes can include eating healthier foods, getting more sleep, exercising regularly, and engaging in activities that bring us joy.

Making these small changes can help us create a foundation for lasting wellbeing that will support you in the long run on your creative entrepreneurship journey.

Implementing small changes to achieve big results

Making small changes in our daily lives can have a big impact on our overall personal wellbeing.

By implementing small changes such as eating healthier foods, getting more sleep, exercising regularly, and engaging in activities that bring us joy, we can create a foundation for lasting wellbeing.

These small changes can help us build healthy habits that will lead to sustainable human wellbeing. For example, if we make the effort to get more sleep, we can improve our concentration and focus, allowing us to be more productive and efficient in our work.

If you make a one percent positive change each day in the direction of your goals and are consistent with it, over a period of one hundred days, you will have improved 100 percent!

Now that you have a better understanding of the power of health, let's cover ways you can nourish your mind, body, and soul.

 

2. Nourish your mind, body, and soul.

Nourishing your mind, body, and soul is essential for achieving sustainable wellbeing. It is important to take time out of our busy schedules to focus on ourselves and our needs, as opposed to constantly working to complete that endless list of tasks.

This can include taking time for self-care activities such as yoga, meditation, reading a book, or simply taking a walk in nature. By slowing down, you will in fact speed up!

Eating nutritious foods

Eating nutritious foods is an important part of achieving sustainable wellbeing.

Eating a balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and healthy fats can help provide the body with essential nutrients that are necessary for optimal health, which in turn enables you to perform at your highest level in your business.

Additionally, eating nutrient-dense foods can help to reduce cravings for unhealthy snacks and processed foods, while incorporating more plant-based foods into your diet can also help to reduce inflammation in the body, which is linked to a number of chronic diseases.

Increasing physical activity levels in your daily life

Regular physical activity can help to improve mood, reduce stress, and boost energy levels.

It is recommended that adults aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per week, such as walking, jogging, cycling, or swimming. That's only 30 minutes a day, five days a week!

Additionally, strength training exercises such as weightlifting or bodyweight exercises can help build muscle and improve overall fitness.

By making physical activity a part of your daily routine, you will be able to reap the benefits of improved physical and mental health. To achieve more, it isn't simply all about working harder for longer; it's about creating balance in your life and having time to keep yourself physically active and healthy.

Connecting with nature through outdoor activities

Spending time in nature can help you reduce stress, improve your mood, and increase your energy levels.It can also be a great way to get some exercise while enjoying the beauty of the outdoors.

Activities such as hiking, camping, kayaking, or simply taking a walk in the park can all help to increase physical activity levels and provide a much-needed break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

A membership to the National Trust is a great way to get outdoors, visit interesting places, and even stop for a cup of tea and cake. There are houses and parks across England you can explore and enjoy.

Taking time for yourself to relax and destress

Taking time for yourself to relax and de-stress is essential for achieving sustainable human wellbeing. Taking a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life can help to reduce stress levels, improve mood, and boost energy levels, enabling you to be more creative, productive, and happy.

It is important to take time out of your day to focus on yourself and your needs. This could include activities such as yoga, meditation, reading a book, or journaling.

Here at OCCO London, we have developed The Morning Mindset Journal, which is designed to help you start your day as you mean to go on: productive, focused, and with a sense of clarity.

Nourishing your mind, body, and soul is just one element towards sustainable wellbeing. An additional thing to aim for when looking for a greater sense of personal wellbeing in your life is to foster self-awareness, which we will cover next.

 

3. Foster self-awareness and improvement.

Fostering self-awareness and improvement is an important step towards achieving sustainable wellbeing.

It involves taking the time to reflect on your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours in order to gain a better understanding of yourself. This can help you identify areas for improvement and make changes that will lead to even greater well-being benefits.

One way to foster self-awareness is through mindfulness practises such as meditation or journaling. This can help bring clarity and insight into your life, enabling you to make positive changes.

Slowing down to reflect and be more self-aware will enable you to achieve even greater levels of success. Slow down to speed up.

Identifying triggers that cause imbalance or distress

Identifying triggers that cause imbalance or distress involves taking the time to reflect on your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours in order to gain a better understanding of what causes you stress or discomfort.

By identifying the triggers that cause distress, you can then take steps to reduce their impact on your life. This could include avoiding certain situations or people or finding ways to manage your reactions when faced with a trigger.

It is OK to feel a certain way about a certain situation or person, whether that is a family friend or a family gathering. What is most important is that you figure out what is causing these feelings and emotions so you can work on reducing them and living a happier and healthier life in all aspects of your life.

Cultivating a sense of purpose in your life

Cultivating a sense of purpose in your life is an essential step towards achieving sustainable wellbeing. Having a sense of purpose can help give you direction and motivation, enabling you to make meaningful progress towards your goals and dreams.

Finding your purpose can involve exploring different activities and interests, reflecting on what brings you joy and satisfaction, and setting meaningful goals that align with your values. It is important to remember that your purpose can change over time, so it is important to regularly reflect on what brings you joy and satisfaction.

A useful tool to help visualise your purpose is a vision board. We have created the ultimate guide to vision boards if you are looking to make one for yourself.

Being present by living in the moment

Learning to be present by living in the moment is an important step towards achieving sustainable wellbeing. Being present means being aware of your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours in the present moment without judgement or attachment.

Living in the moment can help reduce stress and anxiety, as well as increase your sense of joy and contentment. It can also help you to become more mindful of your actions and decisions, enabling you to make more conscious choices that are in line with your values and goals.

A great quote by Lao Tzu on this is:

"If you are depressed, you are living in the past."
If you are anxious, you are living in the future.
"If you are at peace, you are living in the present."

Now that you have a better understanding of how to foster self-awareness in yourself, let's cover some coping mechanisms you can use to help with stress.

 

4. Develop coping mechanisms for stress relief.

There are a number of different coping mechanisms that we develop, intentionally or not, when helping ourselves with stress. Without them, we can become overwhelmed and unable to cope with the demands of life.

However, it is important to know that not all coping mechanisms for dealing with stress are positive ones, and therefore, it is crucial to identify those below that do more damage than good.

Some examples of negative stress coping mechanisms include:

Avoidance: Avoiding the situation or problem that is causing you stress can be a short-term solution, but it won’t help you in the long run.

Substance Abuse: Using drugs or alcohol to cope with stress can lead to addiction and other serious health problems.

Self-Harm: Self-harming behaviours such as cutting or burning yourself are not healthy ways to cope with stress.

However, on the other hand, there are positive ways to cope and reduce your stress and anxiety levels, as we'll discuss below.

Exploring different stress and anxiety reduction techniques

If you are currently feeling stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed, try and implement some of the following into your life. Alternatively, if you are still feeling like it is all a little bit too much, please speak to your GP so that they can help you get back to your happy and healthy former self.

There are a variety of techniques that can help to reduce stress and anxiety; these are also often called "mindfulness practices," as they are helping you to be more mindful.

Mindfulness is the practise of being present in the moment and focusing on your thoughts, feelings, and sensations without judgment. It can help reduce stress and anxiety by allowing you to observe your thoughts and feelings without getting caught up in them.

Mindfulness can also help you become more aware of your actions and decisions, enabling you to make conscious choices that are in line with your values and goals.

Some mindfulness techniques:

Meditation

Meditation is a great way to reduce stress and anxiety. It involves focusing on the present moment and allowing your thoughts to pass without judgement or attachment. This can help create a sense of inner peace and clarity, allowing you to better manage your emotions and reactions.

There are many different types of meditation, such as guided meditation, mindfulness meditation, and breathwork. Each type has its own benefits and can be used to help reduce stress and anxiety.

A couple of really good apps to help with meditation and mindfulness are Headspace and Calm.

Deep breathing

Deep breathing is a simple yet powerful technique for reducing stress and anxiety. It involves taking slow, deep breaths from the diaphragm, which helps to relax the body and mind.

Deep breathing can be done anywhere and at any time, making it an easy way to reduce stress in the moment. It can also help to improve focus and concentration, as well as reduce physical tension in the body.

Exercise

Regular physical activity can help to release endorphins, which are hormones that can improve your mood and reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. Exercise can also help to clear your mind and give you a sense of accomplishment.

It doesn’t have to be intense exercise either; even something as simple as a brisk walk or light jog can help reduce stress and anxiety.

Yoga

Yoga combines physical postures, breathing exercises, and meditation to help you relax and focus on the present moment. Yoga can help to improve flexibility, strength, and balance while also calming the mind and reducing stress levels.

Yoga can be done at home or in a class setting with an instructor. There are many different types of yoga, so it’s important to find one that works for you. If you are looking to do it at home, Yoga with Adrienne is a great YouTube channel with a huge selection of yoga tutorials.

Journaling

Journaling is a great way to reduce stress and anxiety. It involves writing down your thoughts, feelings, and experiences in order to gain clarity and insight into yourself. Writing can help to process emotions, express creativity, and even uncover hidden beliefs or patterns that may be contributing to your stress or anxiety.

Journaling can be done in any form that works for you; it could be a traditional diary, a bullet journal, or even just writing in a notebook. The Morning Mindset Journal is designed to help increase your productivity, clarity, and focus while reducing stress and anxiety so you can be happier and healthier.

Mindfulness practises are always good to include in your busy life, but there might be a time when you need a little bit more help and need to seek professional help—we will cover this below.

Identifying when it is necessary to seek professional help

It is important to recognise when it is necessary to seek professional help. If your stress and anxiety are becoming too overwhelming, or if you feel like you are unable to cope with the situation, then it may be time to seek professional help.

A qualified mental health professional can provide guidance and support in managing stress and anxiety and can also provide advice on lifestyle changes that can help reduce stress and anxiety levels.

There is lots of help out there, so don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for it. The mental health charity Mind would be a good place to start, or alternatively, as mentioned before, book an appointment to speak with your GP. The sooner you seek help, the sooner you will be happy and healthy and able to live the life you desire.

Knowing when to say "no"

It is important to know when to say "no!! Saying "no" can be difficult, especially if it means disappointing someone or letting them down. However, it is important to remember that your wellbeing should always come first, and sometimes saying "no" is the best thing for you.

When faced with a situation where you feel like you should say "no,, take a moment to think about how it will affect your wellbeing. If it is going to have a negative impact, then it is best to politely decline and focus on taking care of yourself.

With coping mechanisms for stress relief covered, let's jump straight into maintaining wellbeing practises in the long term.

 

5. Maintain Wellbeing in the Long Term

Maintaining wellbeing health practises in the long term requires dedication and consistency, but the rewards are worth it as they will have a positive impact on your life.

Here are five tips to help you maintain your wellness practices:

1. Set SMART goals.

Setting long-term SMART individual wellbeing goals will help you stay on track and make progress.Additionally, before setting goals, make sure you know what you want to achieve and why; otherwise, you will not commit to the goal wholeheartedly and you simply won't achieve it.

If you're wondering what SMART goals are, they stand for:

S: Specific What exactly are you trying to achieve in the first place?

M: Measurable How are you going to measure it so that you know whether you have achieved it or not?

A: Achievable: How attainable is the thing that you are wanting to gain or achieve?

R: realistic How realistic is it, and how does it fit into the bigger picture of what you're attempting to accomplish?

T: time-bound What time frame will it take to achieve it?

2. Make time for yourself.

Taking time out for yourself is essential for maintaining your wellbeing and health practices. Whether it’s taking a walk, reading a book, or having a relaxing bath, make sure to take some "me time" each day.

3. Connect with others.

Social connections are important for our individual wellbeing, so make sure to stay in touch with friends and family and reach out if you need help or support.

4. Exercise regularly.

Regular exercise can help reduce stress levels and improve your mood, so make sure to get moving every day, or at least a few days a week!

5. Get enough sleep.

Getting enough sleep is essential for maintaining your health and wellbeing. Aim to get 7-8 hours of sleep each night, and if you’re having trouble sleeping, try some relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or mindfulness.

By following these five steps, you can achieve greater levels of sustainable wellbeing and live a happy and healthy life. Remember to take care of yourself, reach out for help when needed, and make time for the things that make you happy.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

After reading the above, I am sure you still have unanswered questions. Fortunately, we've tried our best to answer them, from the most common to the most complex.

Here are some of the frequently asked questions about sustainable wellbeing:

What are the benefits of sustainable well-being?

The benefits of sustainable well-being are numerous.

Not only does it help to reduce stress and improve your mood, but it can also lead to improved physical health, increased productivity, better relationships, and a greater sense of purpose in life.

Additionally, sustainable wellbeing practises can help you become more resilient in the face of adversity and build stronger coping skills for dealing with difficult situations. Ultimately, sustainable wellbeing helps you live a happier and healthier life.

How can I incorporate sustainable wellbeing into my daily life?

Incorporating sustainable individual wellbeing into your daily life is all about making small changes that will have a big impact.

Start by setting SMART goals and breaking them down into smaller, achievable steps; make time for yourself each day; connect with others; exercise regularly; and get enough sleep.

Finally, remember to take care of yourself and reach out for help when needed.

What activities can I do to maintain a sense of sustainable wellbeing?

There are many aspects of wellbeing that you can implement that will have a positive affect on your life.

Some of these include:

• Practicing mindfulness and meditation

• Going for a walk in nature

• Spending time with friends and family

• Doing yoga or other forms of exercise

• Reading books or listening to podcasts

• Writing in a journal or doing creative activities

There are numerous activities to maintain a sense of sustainable wellbeing; it's simply a matter of finding and trying the ones that work best for you. There is no right or wrong, so please don't put pressure on yourself to get it right. Simply doing something is sufficient.

How often should I focus on my mental health to foster sustainable wellbeing?

Focusing on your mental health regularly will have a positive effect on fostering sustainable wellbeing.

It is recommended that you take time each day to check in with yourself and practise self-care activities such as mindfulness, meditation, or journaling. Additionally, it is important to make sure you are getting enough sleep and engaging in regular physical activity.

Finally, it is important to reach out for help when needed and to make time for the things that bring you joy.

What does sustainable well-being look like in practice?

Sustainable individual well-being looks different for everyone, but there are some common practises that can help you achieve it.

These include:

• Setting SMART goals and breaking them down into achievable steps

• Making time for yourself each day

• Connecting with others and engaging in meaningful conversations

• Regular exercise and sufficient sleep

• Practicing mindfulness and self-care activities

• Reaching out for help when needed

• Doing activities that bring you joy

By incorporating these practices into your daily life, you can achieve sustainable wellbeing and live a happier and healthier life.

 

Conclusion

Sustainable wellbeing is a concept that emphasizes the importance of creating and maintaining a balanced state of physical, mental, and emotional health.

It involves taking proactive steps to ensure that your lifestyle choices are in line with your values and goals, while also making time for self-care activities such as mindfulness, exercise, and connecting with others. By following the five-step guide outlined above, you can achieve sustainable wellbeing and enjoy true long-term fulfilment and contentment.

It is important to practise intentional actions towards aligning your physical, mental, and spiritual health so that you remain focused on your goals for achieving personal satisfaction and joy in all aspects of life, including business and your personal life.

With perseverance and commitment towards mindful living practices, we all have the potential to create a balanced lifestyle that brings us joy now and into the future! Both for yourself and to have a positive impact on future generations and help them live better lives.

When hope you have found this article enjoyable and informative. If you would like any further help please do not hesitate to get in touch as we're here to help all you creative entrepreneurs succeed in both your life and business.