Meyler Campbell Annual Lecture 2009
We were delighted to sponsor the 2009 Meyler Campbell Annual Lecture, which took place Tuesday 17th November. The star attraction was Cambridge neuroscientist Professor Felicia A Huppert who shared rock-solid worldwide research which now points conclusively to there being five crucial things that make a major difference in performance and wellbeing as we get older – plus gives vital tips for us as coaches, policymakers and leaders.
Those five ways to wellbeing are:
- Connect…
- 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 one 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.
More information on these and related topics can be found at www.foresight.gov.uk.
(Foresight is an organisation that helps the UK Government to think systematically about the future.)