Dr Laura Marshall-Andrews' final assessment

David Lammy has done really well this week. It is great to work with someone who is motivated and open to making changes. Even small changes can be incredibly difficult to manage on an ongoing basis. There are several key factors in his success. The first is making goals achievable. There is no point in saying I will try to sit down for half an hour a day to eat lunch if you know that will fail. David chose small changes which he felt fairly confident he could accommodate. The second factor in his success was his motivation. He was motivated to make changes and believed they would help.

Helping people make small effective long-term changes to their lives is really important in improving wellbeing, and this is important for people on a personal level as it enriches their lives. It makes people more productive and more likely to be contribute positively to society. The consequence of ignoring wellbeing can be costly medications, hospital admissions and chronic diseases.

Wellbeing is a great social investment which would have huge returns on an economic and social level. I hope this helps to encourage policy makers to invest in the multitude of ways we can all become happy and healthy contributors to society.

At the Brighton Health and Wellbeing Centre we have a fully integrated GP practice with many therapists, from acupuncturists to nutritionists to osteopaths. They can often make much more long-lasting and profound effects on wellbeing that western modern medicine. Remember: lifestyle, relaxation, participation, security, support and environment. Make small manageable changes and good luck!

David's reflections

This weekend, I managed to complete the third of my 5km runs on Sunday morning, which was very satisfying. I continued drinking my two litres of water a day and ate very well. For my "do something new" I managed to go to the theatre – I spent Saturday evening in Regent's Park open air theatre watching Arthur Miller's All My Sons. I did work on Saturday and Sunday – I was out and about in the constituency – but I had a really good weekend, and I've had a fantastic week, there's no doubt about it. The focus on wellbeing has really delivered and I'm feeling fantastic, like I've had a detox.

I have to say that after a week of mindfulness, of running and the consultation with Dr Laura Marshall-Andrews and her acupuncturist colleague, it is extraordinary that these kind of alternative medicines are not available on the NHS in the 21st century. In Britain, we ought to be in a position where doctors and therapists are able to prescribe mindfulness, acupuncture, osteopathy de rigueur, and it not only be available in certain fantastic surgeries in London and Brighton. The sort of consultation I had at the beginning of the week ought to be available to everyone, and it worries me that's it's not – particularly as it's quite cheap.

I haven't managed to accomplish all of the recommendations set at the beginning of the week. Because of my schedule, I haven't been able to eat regular meals at regular times – sometimes I've been having dinner at 9/10pm. Also, you have to make space for mindfulness. I don't think there's a better way to spend 10 minutes, but with my diary being so reactive to events, I'm not always able to make that space, but it's more than worthwhile and I will continue with it over the next few weeks and months. And I will certainly try to do three 5km runs each week. I've already done one this morning so I'm onto a good start, and hopefully I'll continue right through to the autumn.

I do feel different compared to this time last week. Before the consultation, I had a few days off with the family for half-term and had a nice break but usually after I get back to work I very quickly feel like I never had a break at all. But focusing on wellbeing has extended that break and I feel better today than even after those few days off. I feel lighter, I feel cleansed. I'm slightly lighter on my feet and I'm quite cheery. I sort of feel a bit refreshed.

Interested in finding out more about how you can live better? Take a look at this month's Live Better Challenge here.

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