All Right? Campaign update: February 2018
Kia ora. Been feeling a bit 'blah' lately? Getting back into the swing of a new year can be tricky – especially with heat like we've been having! Rest assured most of us feel blah or flat at times - it’s a completely normal sign that your mental health needs a bit of a boost. 👊 🙏 🙌
Just like how eating well, sleeping well, exercising and staying hydrated boosts our physical health, there are also things we can do to boost our mental health. Read on!
Arohanui,
The All Right? team
PS - if you have a school aged child and you're reading this then give yourself a BIG high five! Another summer holiday managed!
Wellbeing's 5+ a day
Heard of the ‘5+ a day fruit and vege' rule? Here's the wellbeing version...
5 Ways to Wellbeing
A report commissioned by the British government identified five key actions, which if done regularly are scientifically-proven to lift your wellbeing:
- Connect
- Be Active
- Take Notice
- Keep Learning
- Give
Done everyday, these actions will boost your wellbeing and overall resilience – even when times are tough.
Find out more on five ways to wellbeing.
The best things in life are free
Going on a holiday, seeing a favourite band or paragliding off the Port Hills can be lots of fun. But sadly, hardly any of us can do these activities, or maintain this lifestyle, everyday.
A better approach for your wellbeing is to incorporate little wellbeing tactics into your everyday. Catch up with a friend, count the caterpillars on a swan plant, smile at a stranger, challenge your brain by giving something new a go. Escape for five minutes by turning off your phone, shutting your eyes and doing some deep breathing. It really works...
If the pain persists...
While it’s not uncommon to feel a bit low now and then, it’s not usual for this feeling to continue.
If you do continue to feel this way for more than two weeks or you feel down and tearful for no apparent reason, it is all right to reach out for extra support. You are not alone and help is available.
You can speak to someone you trust, see your GP team, or call 0800 777 846.
Fill your wellbeing kete...
Here's a few tips and tricks to give your wellbeing a summery boost...
Beat the heat ☀️
Want to know what your fellow Cantabrians have been doing to keep cool over the last few weeks?
Here’s a few ingenious ideas courtesy of our fabulous Facebook community:
- Frozen sheets, grapes and hot water bottles;
- A wet towel suspended in an open window; and
- Putting the paddling pool under the clothes line.
Check out more tips to beat the heat.
Relationships are key
Here's some wisdom gleaned from one of the longest longitudinal studies ever conducted. The key to happiness isn’t how much money you have, how good your health is, or where you live. The secret to being happier and healthier is to have quality relationships with those we’re close to.
Caught up with a good mate lately?
Fnd out more about how relationships make a difference to your wellbeing.
Parenting support
For most of us, parenting is the hardest thing we've ever done. Challenges are always popping up - friend stuff, fears and worries, challenging behaviours... it can be a long list. Parenting can be a messy business, and no one has all the answers.
Fortunately in Canterbury there’s lots of great support out there, with over 80 parenting courses covering every age and stage. And many of them are free. A lot of them having just started up again for the year, making it the perfect time to get in touch and have your parenting questions answered.
Find out more local parenting support groups and classes.
Upcoming wellbeing boosters...
The Simple Joys of the Dull Men's Club
We don't think these men are extraordinarily dull at all. In fact, we think they've cracked the code...
Mauri Ora
We're always keen to hear your stories, thoughts and ideas. Get in touch with All Right?
Visit the All Right? website.
Follow All Right? on Instagram.