We held an Impact Data Chat focused on Wellbeing in Social and Environmental Work in December and had a rich conversation with representatives from foundations, evaluation firms, and nonprofits.

Below is a list of resources from the conversation.

Please feel free to share other tools we should add and we will continue to update this resource list.

Methodologies

• Ripple Effects Mapping
• Participatory method for measuring wellbeing/empowerment) outcomes: https://www.betterevaluation.org/tools-resources/measuring-empowerment-ask-them-quantifying-qualitative-outcomes-peoples-own-analysis
• Participatory methodologies-Most Significant Change, Photovoice, Participatory brainstorming. ImpactMapper just did a training on Participatory methods for MEL, and shared 9 participatory methods with case studies. You can find out more here.
• Creative data collection methods that do not feel like data collection. Appreciative Inquiry

Books

• The Power of Ritual, by Casper Ter Kuile
• The Art of Gathering Book by Priya Parker

Research

• The best feedback is from those doing the work or engaging with the work. Wellbeing was an unexpected outcome of this study: https://sloverlinett.com/insights/black-perspectives-on-creativity-trustworthiness-welcome-and-well-being-a-qualitative-study/
• Unlocking solutions: AI for Disaster Management and Psychosocial Wellbeing
• Role of breathwork and meditation in getting us into a state of inner balance and happiness. https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/13/12/1612
• 5 minutes of breathing, “cyclic sighing”, reduces stress and anxiety, engages parasympathetic nervous system, and produces more energy, peacefulness and joy - Stanford research by Andrew Huberman and David Spiegel (2023)
• Role of nature to physical and mental health. Green space, e.g., forest bathing-blood pressure reduction, stronger immune system and mental health. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC658917
• Higher sense of purpose associated with lower risk of chronic conditions and premature mortality, better health behaviors (Kim, Shiba, Boehm, Kubzansky, 2020)
• Oh, Pawar, and Servez (2022) Findings: “When confronted with challenges, those who practice mindfulness have a more optimistic outlook on their lives and are less likely to struggle with mental health issues.” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9811678/
• Sense of awe for wellbeing https://executiveeducation.wharton.upenn.edu/thought-leadership/wharton-at-work/2017/07/the-power-of-awe/
• UNCCD Youth Caucus https://www.linkedin.com/company/unccd-youth-caucus/

Podcasts

• Podcast Dan Harris Substack https://www.danharris.com/s/podcast

Practices

• Creating space for collaboration and connection.
• Reflecting on shared individual values and integrating into internal and external work practices.
• Role of mindfulness in supporting resilience and positive wellbeing
• Focusing on the present moment, in a deliberate, non-judgemental way

Upcoming Retreats

• Changemaker events and retreats in nature. ImpactMapper is holding a couple at Havn Hus in Norway, for more information www.havnhus.no or see the upcoming Storytelling and Impact Reporting training in June here.

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