Optimistic October: Hope, Connection and Movement

By Dr David Smart, Strategic Lead, Action for Happiness Northamptonshire Hub

As the seasons shift and darker evenings draw in, hope can feel harder to sustain. Relentless headlines and everyday pressures encourage our minds to focus on what is wrong—a survival instinct known as negativity bias. Optimism is not about ignoring difficulty or pretending everything is fine. It is about seeing the full picture: acknowledging challenges while noticing what is working and what we can look forward to. Even micro-moments of wellbeing make a difference.

Looking Ahead—and Finding a Steady Course

Action for Happiness marks Optimistic October by encouraging us to set goals and create positive moments to anticipate. Vanessa King suggests that keeping a short list of things we are looking forward to can lift wellbeing in the present. Stretch goals matter too: healthy challenges often bring growth, achievement and meaning.

Overwhelm still happens. After recently double-booking appointments, I drew on the ‘Anxiety Tree’ from Dr Sian Williams’ recent Action for Happiness talk on anxiety. I paused to name what I was feeling, identify what was within my control and ask colleagues for support. It reminded me of a sailing boat: rather than forcing my way forward with the engine on full throttle, I can notice the wind, raise the sail and let it carry me, adjusting as the wind changes. Does that resonate with you?

Healthy Body, Healthy Mind—Close to Home

Moving forward is rarely a solo endeavour. As the saying goes, if you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together. Whether it is a weekly cycle with a friend or active travel that clears the head and reduces emissions, physical activity supports mental wellbeing. Moving with others can be especially powerful, strengthening social connection as well as physical health.

This is reflected in work across the county. On 1 October, the International Day of Older People celebrated the contribution of older residents across Northamptonshire. In partnership with Northamptonshire Sport, the Healthy Active Ageing Group and Age UK Northamptonshire, the question for October is: “What’s on your doorstep?” From more than 65 local Get Up & Go strength and balance sessions to walking cricket and country park strolls, being active close to home can support independence, wellbeing and community connection.

Celebrating Our People

Our community is also entering an important period of transition:

• Thank you, Matthew Bushell: As Matthew moves into a new role, we thank him for the dedication and energy he has brought to our mission and wish him every success.

• More time from Rachel Page: Rachel is now dedicating more time to developing our volunteer network around the executive team, helping the Hub remain resilient, responsive and rooted in local communities.

 Optimism is a daily practice: noticing the good, moving together and supporting one another through life’s inevitable changes. This October, let’s care for our bodies, connect with those around us and help create a happier, healthier Northamptonshire.

To get involved as a Hub Champion or learn more about upcoming gatherings, visit the Action for Happiness Northamptonshire Hub resources.

This month is all about experimenting with practical, evidence-based tools to help us practice self care across our community. 

Use and share our Calendars

This month's Top Tips

Vanessa King's 3 tips for Optimistic October

Vanessa King, Head of Psychology and Workplaces at Action for Happiness, explains that optimism and hope give us forward-looking energy. They help us learn, grow and take action, even in difficult times. This month's theme is based on the Ten Keys to Happier Living key of Direction, and it's about realistic optimism: keeping our feet on the ground while believing things can turn out well.

1. Turn hope into action
Start by acknowledging how you feel about what's going on in the world and in your own life. Then think about your strengths, and choose one thing within your power that could make the world a little happier, kinder or more peaceful. It can be small, at home, at work, in your community or online. As Vanessa puts it, "The antidote to despair is action."

2. Seek out sources of hope
Hope is catching. Spend more time this month with people who make you feel hopeful, and with hopeful role models, books, films, music and art. Make room for whatever lifts your outlook.

3. Plant a seed for next year
One of the Action for Happiness team planted 200 tulip bulbs this autumn, so their garden will be full of colour next spring. What seed could you sow this month that will flower next year? You could plan a celebration, book a visit, sign up to learn something new, or join, or even start, an Action for Happiness group near you.

🗓️ You can sign up to the Optimistic October challenge to get the daily calendar actions in your inbox, through the Action for Happiness app or newsletter.

Watch this month's 'Top Tips' Video

Better Together in Northamptonshire

We are continuing our challenge for over 1,000 people across Northamptonshire to complete the free online coaching at 10daysofhappiness.org. It takes just five minutes a day and provides a lasting boost to well-being. Please join in, give it a go, and share it with your friends and family! 

• Connect Locally: To see what workshops, gatherings, and community socials are coming up near you, check out our local events calendar  

• Share Your Progress: Follow @A4hNorthants on social media, share the small acts of care that work for you, and encourage someone else to take a pause.

Pick one small act of care today—put it in your diary, tell a friend, or simply begin. Then notice what changes: not whether everything becomes perfect, but whether you feel a little more supported and able to meet the day. This September, let’s make self-care part of a happier, kinder Northamptonshire, one small action at a time.