I know there are countless articles and advice on boosting your wellbeing, and let’s be honest, most of it we already know. So, instead, here are some ideas and concepts that are less talked about. They can help us to put in practice many of these more widely known healthy choices, they are simple, and they have potential to become habit forming. These tips have worked for me and many others I've recommended them to. Plus, they link together, offering even more wellbeing benefits!

Each suggestion is flexible, so I encourage you to experiment, tweak, and find the best version that suits you. So, onto my first top tip.

1 - Create an airlock

We all juggle different roles throughout the day – employee, parent, student, etc. Each role demands different energy and emotions, so creating a transitional routine can help us decompress as we switch from one to the next.

This ‘airlock’ might involve a short walk, reading, having a coffee and chat, or simply finding a moment of calm. These activities help our brain process past events, dissolve negative feelings, and prepare us for what's next. They don’t need to take long – even just 2 minutes can calm the mind and refresh us for the upcoming tasks.

2 - Capture your stress

Do you face your stressors head-on? Do you even know what’s causing your stress?

As a habitual procrastinator, I find the stress container concept a fantastic way to identify and manage my stressors. This concept gathers your stressors into a ‘container’ along with the actions you take (or need to take) to help the stress flow out. It also offers guidance on managing and removing some of your stress.

So, find a peaceful 30 minutes, grab a coffee, and start by creating your personal 'stress list'.

Explore the concept through the following resources:

• Stress Container Exercise (BBC) 
• Stress Container (MHFA England) 

3 - The 4Ds

The 4Ds can work well when used in conjunction with the stress container but they can also be applied to your never-ending to-do list. But what I really love about the 4Ds, is that it is a very simple and quick way to triage any unexpected tasks you encounter during your day.

The four Ds stand for:

• Do - Which of these tasks do you need to get done?
• Defer - Which tasks can be postponed for a later date (diary in)?
• Delegate - Which tasks could someone else help you with?
• Delete - Which tasks really don’t need to be done (drop them)?

If like me, you can sometimes find yourself overwhelmed with everything you need to do, the 4D method can provide a route out of the chaos.

Find out more in this article by Forbes:

Forbes: How To Use The 4 Ds Of Effective Time Management 

4 - Boundaries

When we’ve identified actions for our wellbeing using tools like the stress container, we need to make sure we do them. Life can get busy, and we can neglect our own wellbeing, letting others and situations place demands on our time and emotional energy.

To protect our wellbeing, we need to set boundaries. This might mean dedicating specific ‘worry time’, so anxious thoughts don’t take over our current situation. It could also involve blocking out time in your work diary for healthy activities, like a lunchtime walk, or even just to eat! Setting boundaries with people around us is also important. Saying ‘no’ can be tough but explain that prioritising yourself now means you’ll be more available for them in the future.

By creating these barriers, we can ensure our wellbeing remains a priority and we create steps towards healthy habits.

5 - Gratitude

In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to get caught up in what others are doing, what you need to buy, and your never-ending to-do list. This can make us overlook the small but important things – the little wins, simple pleasures, and meaningful moments in our lives. Recognising these can help balance our emotions, keep us grounded, and brighten our outlook.

Practicing gratitude is a powerful way to lower stress and boost happiness. The best part? It’s simple, quick and free! Try building gratitude into your daily routine, like after work or before bed. You can even start right now!

Pause for a moment and think of three things you’re grateful for. It could be a person, a task you’ve completed, a small pleasure, or anything that gave you a sense of achievement.

What am I grateful for? Well right now I’m grateful that you have read this article, and I really hope you can take at least one action from it. Just one, let’s start small... What one thing can you do today to improve your wellbeing?