Wellbeing Tools and Tricks

Managing wellbeing, both physical and mental, is a primary challenge for us all. This microcredential will equip you with the knowledge and awareness of techniques and behaviours that are known to positively influence ongoing wellbeing.

Research carried out by the New Economics Foundation (2008) identified five key influencers on positive mental wellbeing, namely social relationships, being active, learning, giving, and taking notice. According to this influential study, a combination of all these behaviours has the potential to reduce the likelihood of suffering low mood or developing mental ill health. This course will blend an awareness of the theory behind the five ways to wellbeing model with practical examples of how you can adopt the approach during your time at Abertay to increase your personal resilience and enhance your university experience. The course input will be structured around the five elements of the model and students will be directed to a range of topic related resources to reinforce their learning. Achievement of the course learning outcome will be assessed via an online quiz.

Through engaging with this module you will develop the Professional, Personal and Active Citizen Abertay Attributes. In particular:

• Be equipped and motivated to continue learning and professional development throughout their careers;

• Be determined, ambitious, articulate, adaptable, self-reflective, resilient, practical, proactive, innovative and enterprising

• Understand and embody self-awareness, honesty and integrity in their professional and personal lives.

• Maintain and continuously develop awareness of their civic, ethical and environmental responsibilities.

By the end of this module the student should be able to:

1. Demonstrate their understanding of how to apply the 5 ways to wellbeing model.

1 Course overview

Introduction to the course and to the underpinning theory.

2 Connecting

Consideration of the value of building strong social relationships and Identifying ways of becoming more connected at Abertay and within local communities.

3 Being active

Highlighting the benefits of becoming physically active and providing examples of how this might be achieved from different starting points and circumstances.

4 Taking notice

Introducing useful techniques such as mindfulness and grounding

5 Learning

Explaining the link between learning and wellbeing and showcasing a range of opportunities open to Abertay students.

6 Giving

Exploring the value of giving in different contexts and flagging options as an Abertay student, including peer mentoring, Student Association involvement and volunteering opportunities.

7 Course summary and next steps

Creating an action plan to adopt the behaviours above.

8 Summative assessment

An online quiz structured around the five elements above.