George Eliot called them ‘unhistoric acts’ – small hidden gestures of kindness that can help us stay sane. Rather less lyrically, the economics think-tank the New Economics Foundation agrees with the great novelist about the importance of giving. Back in 2008, it published its ‘Five Ways to Well-Being’ after extensive research into the actions that can help our mental health, only selecting those strategies for which there was evidence that they worked. The answers were to connect, to be active, to take notice and be aware of yourself and world, to keep learning and to give. I think it’s attractive that the list is framed in terms of ongoing ways of behaving and being. It’s not results that make us happy, but a continual attempt to live well. Yes, it’s that old cliché – it’s not the arrival but the journey. Happy journeying this week and let me know if you manage to fulfill any of the five steps to mental health. I’m off to see a friend (connecting), walking rather than driving (staying active), smelling the roses (being aware) listening to a podcast, (learning) and arriving with a present (giving). Only kidding….. Rachel Kelly is the author of the best selling ‘Black Rainbow’ a memoir of how poetry helped her overcome severe depression, published by Hodder & Stoughton.
Don’t forget she will be at the Idler Academy talking about her book on 5th June. Tickets are £20 idler.co.uk and rachelkelly.co.uk
http://nottinghillpost.com/news/kellys-keys-calm/
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