NEBOSH Working with Wellbeing key terms

The experience of feeling close to and valued by other people, built through regular contact, shared activity and mutual support. It is a core protective factor for mental wellbeing and reduces isolation.

The distressing feeling that arises when the amount or quality of contact with others falls short of what a person wants. It is subjective and can occur even when someone is surrounded by people.

Giving full attention to a speaker, reflecting back what you heard and checking understanding without interrupting or judging. It helps people feel respected and encourages them to disclose concerns early.

The ability to understand another person's feelings and perspective and to communicate that understanding. It supports trust and helps colleagues respond helpfully to someone who is struggling.

Responding to someone's situation without blame, criticism or assumptions about their character. It lowers the fear of stigma and makes it more likely people will ask for help.

Negative labelling, stereotyping or discrimination attached to a condition or characteristic, such as poor mental health. It discourages disclosure and can delay access to support.

Keeping personal information shared in conversation private and only passing it on with consent or where there is a genuine safety concern. Clear boundaries build the trust needed for honest disclosure.

The people a person can turn to for practical help, information or emotional reassurance, including colleagues, friends, family and professionals. A varied network provides more options when difficulties arise.

Any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that uses energy, including walking, lifting, climbing and sport. Regular activity supports both physical health and mood.

Time spent sitting or lying down while awake with very little energy expenditure, such as desk work or screen time. Long uninterrupted periods carry health risks even for people who exercise.

Activity that raises breathing and heart rate while still allowing conversation, such as brisk walking or cycling on the flat. It is the main target of general health recommendations for adults.

Activity that makes breathing hard and fast so that talking in full sentences is difficult, such as running or fast swimming. It delivers larger fitness gains in a shorter time.

A short pause in work used for movement, such as a walk, stretching or stair climbing, rather than sitting. Breaks interrupt prolonged sitting and help restore attention and energy.

Fitting brief bursts of movement into the day, for example a short walk between meetings or squats while waiting for a kettle. It helps people who find formal exercise sessions hard to schedule.

Chemicals produced by the body that act on pain and reward pathways and are released during exercise. They are often linked to the mood lift and reduced tension reported after physical activity.

A route by which a health professional directs a person to a supervised physical activity programme suited to their condition. It supports people with health needs to become active safely.

Paying deliberate attention to what is happening in the present moment, including thoughts, feelings and bodily sensations, without judging it. Regular practice can reduce rumination and improve emotional regulation.

Directing attention to what is happening right now rather than replaying the past or rehearsing the future. It is the central skill developed in mindfulness practice.

A short practice of noticing the sensation of breathing and returning attention to it whenever the mind wanders. It can be used almost anywhere to steady attention and calm the stress response.

Repeatedly going over the same worries or negative thoughts without reaching a resolution. It prolongs distress and is a common target of mindfulness and cognitive approaches.

A very short pause of seconds or minutes in which a person steps away from a task to breathe, stretch or look away from a screen. Frequent microbreaks reduce fatigue and support focus.

The ability to influence which emotions arise, how long they last and how they are expressed. Mindfulness, movement and social contact are all practical ways to support it.

A pattern of eating that provides energy and nutrients in the proportions needed for health, including plenty of vegetables and fruit, wholegrains and adequate protein. It supports steady energy and concentration.

Maintaining enough fluid in the body by drinking regularly through the day. Even mild dehydration can cause headaches, tiredness and reduced concentration at work.

A stimulant found in coffee, tea, cola and energy drinks that increases alertness but can disturb sleep and raise anxiety in large amounts or late in the day. Timing and quantity both matter.

Keeping glucose levels relatively even by eating regular meals that combine fibre, protein and slow-release carbohydrate, rather than large amounts of sugary food. It helps avoid energy crashes and irritability.

Habits that support good sleep, such as a consistent bedtime, a dark quiet room and limiting screens and caffeine before bed. Poor sleep undermines mood, attention and stress tolerance.

Deliberate action intended to benefit another person, such as helping, listening or offering thanks. Both giving and receiving kindness are associated with improved mood and stronger relationships.

Voluntary actions that benefit other people or the group, including cooperation, sharing, volunteering and offering support. It strengthens social bonds and gives a sense of purpose.

A small, unplanned helpful gesture towards someone, often a stranger, with no expectation of reward. The informal, low-cost nature makes it easy to build into a working day.

Noticing and appreciating things that are good, often by deliberately recording or expressing thanks. Practising it regularly is linked to better mood and greater satisfaction with relationships.

Noticing another person's suffering and feeling moved to help, combined with the willingness to act. It differs from pity because it includes a practical, supportive response.

Ongoing learning that maintains and improves a person's knowledge and skills after initial training. It keeps practice current and supports confidence and career progression.

Thinking deliberately about what happened in a situation, why it happened and what to do differently next time. It turns everyday experience into learning and improves future decisions.

Information given about how well something was done, ideally specific, timely and focused on behaviour. Constructive feedback guides improvement and reduces uncertainty about expectations.

The belief that abilities can be developed through effort, practice and good strategies rather than being fixed. It encourages people to treat setbacks as information rather than failure.

A personal written plan setting out small, specific steps a person will take to protect their wellbeing, with triggers, support contacts and a review date. It turns good intentions into committed action.