Five Ways to Wellbeing

Mental Health Awareness Week (MHAW) here in Aotearoa (New Zealand) kicked off yesterday with this years theme focussing on; Five Ways, Five Days.

In New Zealand the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand charity works toward creating a society free from discrimination, where all people enjoy positive mental health & wellbeing, and promoting MHAW.

They’ve marked this week since 1993 and are committed to an Aotearoa where we can all feel good and do well.

Recognising that life has been a bit of a rollercoaster lately, what with a sense of overwhelmedness with everything that is going on in our world at present, and the multiple stressors that are hitting us from all angles. We’ve faced uncertainty, unfamiliarity, and hardships that have left us with mixed emotions.

MHAW have adopted five simple yet proven actions that you and I can use every day to help us each find balance, build resilience and boost our wellbeing. These five ways to wellbeing* practices can be easily incorporated into anyone’s life, regardless of their situation. 

GIVE / TUKUA 

Give your time, your words, your presence;
tukua te wā ki a koe, ō kupu, ko koe tonu.

BE ACTIVE / ME KORI TONU 

Be active, do what you can – whāia te mea ka taea e koe,
enjoy what you do – kia pārekareka tāu i whai ai,
move your mood – kia pai ake ō piropiro.

KEEP LEARNING / ME AKO TONU 

Keep learning and embrace new experiences, awhitia te wheako hou,
see opportunities – kimihia ngā ara hou,
surprise yourself – me ohorere koe i a koe anō.

CONNECT / ME WHAKAWHANAUNGA 

Connect, talk and listen – me kōrero, me whakarongo,
be there – me whakawātea i a koe,
feel connected – me rongo i te whanaungatanga.

TAKE NOTICE / ME ARO TONU 

Take notice of the things around you, remember the simple things that give you joy – me aro tonu ki ngā mea māmā noa i ngākau harikoa ai koe.

There are many practical ways in which you and I can help look after our mental health or that of someone else and the five ways to wellbeing, help encapsulate these.

As we put them into practice we’ll start to notice things get a little easier as we go about our everyday lives.

MHAW have also created a wide range of resources which are available for you to download for free, check out the following;

• The MHAW Guide has activity ideas that can be used all year round and there’s also an action plan and a handy section about how to have a safe and supportive kōrero with someone who’s struggling.
• The mindful colouring template can be used if you’re looking for a calming activity.
• A popular Workplace Kōrero Card Set is available to download in printable and slideshow versions. Use it in your groups, activities or next meeting to help build stronger connections with the people around you.
• MHAW PowerPoint Quiz – Looking for an engaging way to introduce the Five Ways to Wellbeing to your hoamahi (colleagues)? Download this interactive Five Ways PowerPoint quiz! It’s a fantastic tool to make MHAW come alive in your setting.

If you or someone you care about are in need of some help, below is a list of some of the services available in New Zealand. They offer support, information and help to get you through whatever you are facing.

All services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week unless otherwise specified.

Are you feeling in crisis, facing immediate physical danger to yourself or others? Then call 111. For more information see mentalhealth.org.nz/ in-crisis.

Just need to talk?
Free call or text 1737 any time for support from a trained counsellor
Lifeline – 0800 543 354 (0800 LIFELINE) or free text 4357 (HELP)
Suicide Crisis Helpline – 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)
Youthline – 0800 376 633, free text 234 or email or online chat

Note: Although the above post is focussed predominantly towards Mental Health and MHAW here in NZ – The five simple actions can be used in our every day to help us each find balance, build resilience and boost our ‘general‘ wellbeing, regardless of what we are facing in our health journeys

Blessings ’til next time 🙂

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* The Five Ways to Wellbeing were created as a result of the New Economics Foundation’s (NEF) Foresight Project on Mental Capital and Wellbeing research report.

NEF conducted a review of the most up-to-date evidence and found that building five actions into day to day lives is important for the wellbeing of individuals, families, communities and organisations.

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Mental Health Awareness Week (MHAW)

Mental Health Awareness Week (MHAW) commences today and runs through to Sunday 2nd of October. This year’s theme recognises the fact that over the past few years with a number of Covid pandemic lockdowns many people have grown distant from others and the places that are important to them.

The Mental Health Foundation is hoping Kiwis all around the world are inspired to reconnect, whether it’s through reaching out to someone they have lost contact with, visiting a place that holds significance to them, or getting outside and enjoying nature. 

They have created a range of resources and activities as well as a guide for whānau (family), schools, workplaces and the community – so why not check out the Mental Health Awareness Week website.

Unfortunately, in this day and age a quarter of New Zealanders struggle with poor mental health in some form or another, that’s why it is so important to be looking out for people you know and love.

There are a variety of ways in which you can do this, for example; if someone you know is feeling sad or down, has confused thinking or reduced ability to concentrate, has excessive fears or worries, or extreme feelings of guilt. Is experiencing extreme mood changes or withdrawing from friends and activities, significant tiredness, low energy or problems sleeping, has an inability to cope with daily problems or stress, and or is having trouble understanding and relating to situations and to people.

Then they may need someone to check in on them and discuss it further on a regular basis. You may even want to organise a board games night, watch a movie or grab a cuppa with them over the coming weeks to show that you care and that you’re there for them. Potentially you may even assist them to seek professional and or medical advice.

Admittedly everyone goes through ups and downs in life, that’s completely normal and a part of being human.

However, if you’re worried you or someone you care about is not coping or needs some tautoko (support), there is help available!

As no one should have to go through a tough time alone. 

Below is a list of some of the services available in New Zealand that offer support, information and help. All services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week unless otherwise specified.

If you or someone you care about are in immediate physical danger to themselves or others, call 111. For more information see mentalhealth.org.nz/ in-crisis.

Need to talk?
Free call or text 1737 any time for support from a trained counsellor 
Lifeline – 0800 543 354 (0800 LIFELINE) or free text 4357 (HELP)
Suicide Crisis Helpline – 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)
Youthline – 0800 376 633, free text 234 or email or online chat

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Mental Health Awareness Week

Mental Health Awareness Week (MHAW) commences next week in Aotearoa from Monday 26 September to Sunday 2 October. This is endorsed by the World Federation for Mental Health and hosted in over 150 countries. The Mental Health Foundation has marked this week since 1993.

This year’s theme recognises the fact that over the past few years with a number of Covid pandemic lockdowns many people have grown distant from others and the places that are important to them.

The Mental Health Foundation is hoping Kiwis all around the world are inspired to reconnect, whether it’s through reaching out to someone they have lost contact with, visiting a place that holds significance to them, or getting outside and enjoying nature. 

They have created a range of resources and activities as well as a guide for whānau (family), schools, workplaces and the community – so why not check out the Mental Health Awareness Week website.

Unfortunately, in this day and age a quarter of New Zealanders struggle with poor mental health in some form or another, that’s why it is so important to be looking out for people you know and love.

There are a variety of ways in which you can do this, for example; if someone you know is feeling sad or down, has confused thinking or reduced ability to concentrate, has excessive fears or worries, or extreme feelings of guilt. Is experiencing extreme mood changes or withdrawing from friends and activities, significant tiredness, low energy or problems sleeping, has an inability to cope with daily problems or stress, and or is having trouble understanding and relating to situations and to people.

Then they may need someone to check in on them and discuss it further on a regular basis. You may even want to organise a board games night, watch a movie or grab a cuppa with them over the coming weeks to show that you care and that you’re there for them. Potentially you may even assist them to seek professional and or medical advice.

Everyone goes through many ups and downs in life, that is completely normal and a part of being human.

However, if you’re worried you or someone you care about is not coping or needs some tautoko (support), there is help available!

As no one should have to go through a tough time alone. 

Below is a list of some of the services available in New Zealand that offer support, information and help. All services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week unless otherwise specified.

If you or someone you care about are in immediate physical danger to themselves or others, call 111. For more information see mentalhealth.org.nz/ in-crisis.

Need to talk?
Free call or text 1737 any time for support from a trained counsellor 
Lifeline – 0800 543 354 (0800 LIFELINE) or free text 4357 (HELP)
Suicide Crisis Helpline – 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)
Youthline – 0800 376 633, free text 234 or email or online chat

Read Full Post »