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Sail Training and the Five Steps to Wellbeing

Evidence published by the NHS suggests there are five steps that everyone can take to improve their mental health and wellbeing. Trying these things could help you feel more positive and able to get the most out of life.

Sail Training is about pushing your boundaries, learning new skills, and gaining self-confidence, and the 5 Steps to Wellbeing are all naturally included in a Sail Training voyage. 

Therefore, as well as being a fantastic opportunity for an exciting adventure, Sail Training can contribute to improving the general and mental wellbeing of our young people.

More information about the Five Steps to Wellbeing can be found here:

Five ways to wellbeing | Mind
5 steps to mental wellbeing | NHS

Follow our social media pages to stay up-to-date with the campaign

Sail Training and the Five Steps to Wellbeing

Evidence published by the NHS suggests there are five steps that everyone can take to improve their mental health and wellbeing. Trying these things could help you feel more positive and able to get the most out of life.

Sail Training is about pushing your boundaries, learning new skills, and gaining self-confidence, and the 5 Steps to Wellbeing are all naturally included in a Sail Training voyage. 

Therefore, as well as being a fantastic opportunity for an exciting adventure, Sail Training can contribute to improving the general and mental wellbeing of our young people.

More information about the Five Steps to Wellbeing can be found here:

Five Ways to Wellbeing | Mind
5 Steps to Mental Wellbeing | NHS

Follow our social media pages to stay up-to-date with the campaign

The Five Steps to Wellbeing

The #SailToWellbeing campaign focuses on the ways in which Sail Training voyages are able to help young people recover physically, mentally, and emotionally from the anxiety and the challenges that the Covid-19 pandemic has presented.

By sharing a range of images, statistics, and real-life success stories, ASTO aims to highlight the direct link between Sail Training and the NHS and Mind’s Five Steps to Mental Wellbeing, as well as the positive impact that his can have on young people’s mental and physical health.

Our Sail To Wellbeing campaign shows how each of the NHS and Mind’s Five Steps to Wellbeing can be witnessed on every UK Sail Training voyage. Scroll down to see examples of how each step can be observed

The five stages are as follows:

Step 1

Connect

Step 2

Be Active

Step 3

Take Notice

Step 4

Learn

Step 5

Give

Step 1

Connect

Step 2

Be Active

Step 3

Take Notice

Step 4

Learn

Step 5

Give

Step 1: Connect

Sail Training is all about making new friends and learning more about existing ones. Working as part of a team immediately gives you that sense of belonging.

Doing things you did not think you could do contributes to your own self-worth.

You are literally all in the same boat, sharing positive experiences and looking after each other as you go through the same challenges is an important part of the whole experience.

Step 1:
Connect

Sail Training is all about making new friends and learning more about existing ones. Working as part of a team immediately gives you that sense of belonging. 

Doing things you did not think you could do contributes to your own self-worth. 

You are literally all in the same boat, sharing positive experiences. 

Looking after each other as you go through the same challenges is an important part of the experience.

 

Click here to read our full list of 11 Ways to Connect Through Sail Training.

Step 2:
Be Active

According to the NHS, being physically active is not only great for your physical health and fitness but it can also improve your mental wellbeing by:

Raising your self-esteem

Helping you to set goals or challenges and achieve them

Causing chemical changes in your brain which can help to positively change your mood.

Sail Training vessels are deliberately designed so they need the participation of the whole crew! Whether that is ten of you hauling on a halyard together, or you are taking the helm on a windy day, Sail Training provides a great workout in the fresh air that helps you feel good.

Click here to find out how Ocean Literacy can be used as a tool on Sail Training voyages to get young people to become more active.

Step 3:
Take Notice

Paying more attention to the present moment can improve your mental wellbeing. 

This includes your thoughts and feelings, your body and the world around you.

A Sail Training vessel is a great place to appreciate the world around you. Sitting out on deck watching the ocean, feeling salt spray on your skin, breathing in fresh air. 

Keeping a lookout is one of the most important roles on board, and the entire purpose is to watch what’s going on around you!

Another great time to appreciate the world is during those quiet night watches where you might even see the stars.

Trainees smiling on sidedeck

Step 4:
Learn

Sail Training is all about learning new skills and developing existing ones. 

Learn how to tie knots, set sails and even learn a whole new nautical language. 

Even putting on your lifejacket correctly is a skill you’ll have to master on the first day. The staff on board are excellent and patient teachers who will make sure you learn what you need to know. You’ll put all the skills to use in sailing the boat, and even if you’ve sailed before there’s always more to learn.

Research shows that learning new skills can also improve your mental wellbeing by:

Boosting self-confidence and raising self-esteem

Helping you to build a sense of purpose

Helping you to connect with others

Step 5:
Give

Research suggests that giving to others, and practicing small acts of kindness, can improve your mental wellbeing by creating positive feelings and a sense of reward whilst also giving you a feeling of purpose and self-worth. 

Everyone plays their part on a Sail Training voyage. Taking your turn in the galley, keeping the ship tidy or looking after people who may feel cold or tired is all part of the routine. 

The vessel will sail best if the whole crew look after each other

So, there are plenty of opportunities to help others,  or to practice small acts of kindness on board.

Step 2: Be Active

According to the NHS, being physically active is not only great for your physical health and fitness but it can also improve your mental wellbeing by:

  • Raising your self-esteem
  • Helping you to set goals or challenges and achieve them
  • Causing chemical changes in your brain which can help to positively change your mood.

Sail Training vessels are deliberately designed so they need the participation of the whole crew! Whether that is ten of you hauling on a halyard together, or you are taking the helm on a windy day, Sail Training provides a great workout in the fresh air that helps you feel good.

 

Click here to find out how Ocean Literacy can be used as a tool on Sail Training voyages to get young people to become more active.

Step 3: Take Notice

Paying more attention to the present moment can improve your mental wellbeing.

This includes your thoughts and feelings, your body, and the world around you.

A Sail Training vessel is a great place to appreciate the world around you. Sitting out on deck watching the ocean, feeling salt spray on your skin, breathing in fresh air. 

Keeping a lookout is one of the most important roles on board, and the entire purpose is to watch what’s going on around you!

Another great time to appreciate the world is during those quiet night watches where you might even see the stars.

Step 4: Learn

Sail Training is all about new skills and developing existing ones. Learn how to tie knots, set sails, and even learn a whole new nautical language.

Even putting on your lifejacket correctly is a skill you’ll have to master on the first day.

The staff on board are excellent and patient teachers who will make sure you learn everything you need to know. You’ll put all the skills to use in sailing the boat, and even if you’ve sailed before there’s always more to learn.

Research shows that learning new skills can also improve your mental wellbeing by:

  • Boosting self-confidence and raising self-esteem
  • Helping you to build a sense of purpose
  • Helping you to connect with others
Trainees smiling on sidedeck

Step 5: Give

Research suggests that giving to others, and practicing small acts of kindness, can improve your mental wellbeing by creating positive feelings and a sense of reward whilst also giving you a feeling of purpose and self-worth. 

Everyone plays their part on a Sail Training voyage. Taking your turn in the galley, keeping the ship tidy or looking after people who may feel cold or tired is all part of the routine.

The vessel will sail best if the whole crew look after each other. So, there are plenty of opportunities to help others,  or to practice small acts of kindness on board.

Follow @UKSailTraining on social media to see all the latests posts from the #SailToWellbeing campaign

Follow @UKSailTraining on social media to see all the latests posts from the #SailToWellbeing campaign

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