Hello there, Fans of Plans. I’m just back from an annual communications conference. It was my 4^th time at ‘Comms Unplugged’ - a meeting of communications professional like no other. For a start, it’s in marquees on a camp site, delegates are encouraged to camp and oh yes – there’s no tech or phones allowed (unless you’re taking photos!). 

It's an unusual concept, set up in 2017 by three fab communication professional and it is a winning formula – but why? Maybe it’s because it encompasses the five ways to wellbeing. Let’s refresh on what those are: 

1. Connect – by talking and really getting to know others, we can achieve meaningful connections. With the absence of technology, it forces us to be in the here and now and build a network with lasting friendships. 
2. Be active – getting out and being physically active is great not only for out physical health, but also our mental health. We get a sense of achievement from going out even for a 10-minute walk. Also getting away from our desks refreshes us and we can come back with renewed vigour for what we need to be doing. 
3. Learn – to get fulfilment, humans need to keep learning. If not, we can get bored and experience low mood. Keeping the brain active and learning new things challenges us and can keep us mentally resilient. 
4. Take Notice – being in the here and now is important, look around now and see what is going on, what can you hear? See? Touch? Taste? Smell? We are programmed to look forward and see what’s coming next. But take a moment to appreciate where you are now, both physically and mentally. How are you feeling? By taking notice and being in the present, understand more about us. 
5. Give – Have you ever noticed that warm feeling of helping others? Giving your time, resources or charitable donation to others releases chemicals in our brain that boosts mood. So, by giving to others, it not only helps them, but it can also help you too! 

In the workplace – think about all of the above ways to wellbeing and look at where there are opportunities to offer all five of these ways to wellbeing to your colleagues. There are many ways you can do this, whether it’s:

• Encouraging team meetings without technology (no laptops or phones allowed!) to encourage greater in-person connections. 
• Getting your team to be more active, maybe you can offer gym memberships, or simply providing information on lunchtime walking routes – whatever is going to work best for your team. 
• Looking at learning opportunities for your colleagues. This doesn’t have to be a structured educational course – it could be a useful TED talk about equality and diversity. Tailor learning to the requirements of your team members and also the business need. 
• Inviting your team to take part in mindfulness activities, these can help to bring people into the here and now and relieve and stresses they may have. 
• Organising a charitable even with your team. You could set up a local litter pick, or maybe give them information about local volunteering opportunities. You could even set up a food bank collection point in your breakout area. 

When you put these five ways to wellbeing in place, make sure you regularly review what options are there for your colleagues as their participation and requirements may change over time. Always to open to new suggestions from your teams on ways you can help with their wellbeing. 

Happy five ways to wellbeing planning!