Many of you will have had lots of conversations with the CF team about managing your CF and how to stay as well as possible. You probably know about all the kinds of things you can do to look after your physical health like doing regular physio, taking your medication, and eating a healthy diet. But having good health and wellbeing is not just about not being ill, it’s feeling good in yourself as a whole – that is in terms of how you feel physically, mentally and how things are around you.

But did you know research has shown that there are five actions that we can all do to help improve our happiness and wellbeing:

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

Go for a walk or run. Step outside. Cycle. Play a game. Garden. Dance. Exercising 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.
(New economics foundation, 2008).

These actions cannot change your circumstances but by building them into your daily life, it may help you to increase your sense of wellbeing.

What simple steps can you take to look after your wellbeing?

We would like to hear from you

If you have any comments on this or have any ways that you find particularly helpful with managing your CF and wellbeing, and would like to share this with others, e-mail the CF team.