Inspired by mind.org.uk's five ways to wellbeing, we've compiled a list of ways that everyone can boost their mood using National Museums Scotland and our collections.

Give

Get crafty and make a piece of art or something fun to give to a friend.

Give your time and use the museum to support vulnerable or elderly people through our digital resources. Perhaps reminisce with our online photos — search our collections page with someone else and use it to stimulate conversation on shared interests. Or give some time to yourself and visit one of our museums. Check out our upcoming events and see if anything takes your fancy

Check out some charities who have active volunteer programmes. A good place to start is Volunteer Scotland.

Take Notice and Be Curious

Visit the National Museum of Scotland and follow the Museum Wellbeing trail for some mindful moments around the galleries. The trail is available as a PDF to print off or in an audio format.

Bring your sketch book to the museum, grab one of our lightweight chairs dotted about the museum and get drawing in our galleries, or visit: nms.ac.uk/collections and choose an object to sketch.

Try some mindful colouring-in based on our collections.

This Colouringness Book was created by young people with the Children and Adolescent Mental Health Service to support children with ADHD, supported by the Edinburgh Children’s Charity Foundation.

Keep Learning

Did you know learning is good for your wellbeing?

Visit our Watch and Listen page or check out our YouTube channel to watch films about our collections, including behind-the-scenes stories and curator tours.

Or Explore our Collections. Discover stories, activities, games and films that can be filtered by topic and type of media. Find a place in the museum you do not often visit and learn about a new object.

And follow us on Instagram and Pinterest for beautiful images of our amazing collections.

Be Active

Get outside for some fresh air and exercise, and go on a bug safari in your local park. Or download the bug safari trail and take it with you as you visit our Natural World Galleries.

Next time you visit the National Museum of Scotland, choose an object within sight and walk towards it, counting your steps. Pick another object further away and try again. 

Both the National Museum of Rural Life and the National Museum of Flight have extensive outdoor space.

Take the Farm Explorer to the farm at the National Museum of Rural Life, have a good wander at your own pace and then take a leisurely amble back to the museum.

Find out more about what you can do at the National Museum of Rural Life here.

Have a good wander around the historic site at the National Museum of Flight and try yourself on the outdoor assault course! Find out more about exploring the National Museum of Flight here.  

Connect

Connecting to other people has always been important and museums are a wonderful place to connect with friends, stories, culture and history.

Connect with nature by visiting the National Museum of Rural Life. Make friends on the farm, meet cows, pigs, sheep, horses and hens. Watch out for wildlife like hare, squirrels and sparrowhawks and see if you can find Sooty the farm cat!

Follow us on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram to connect to the museum digitally. Join in with our Learning and Engagement team on Twitter at @NMSEngage

Or come and join us at an upcoming event.