Mental Health Awareness Week is coming up, and the experts at the Mental Health Foundation NZ are calling this year’s campaign five ways, five days.
Here’s their five simple ways to help you find balance, build resilience, and boost your wellbeing. Take the challenge, share with your team and see how you feel.
Monday: Take notice
Start the week with purpose and intention. Take stock of your feelings and stresses and unpack them. Practicing mindfulness at this level helps you create space to think, breathe and better understand your reactions.
One quick tip: Unplug for a couple of hours and turn off your device notifications. Tune into yourself and what’s happening around you to be more present.
Tuesday: Give
Today is about kindness. Giving in this context isn’t necessarily about physical gifts. It’s more about giving your time, resources or support to someone, at home or work. Being kind gives you a dopamine hit – it’s a win-win.
One quick tip: Notice a colleague under the pump? Talk to them, offer a helping a hand or just chat through their priorities. It’ll help you both feel better.
Wednesday: Be active
Don’t hit the mid-week slump – get moving to keep the blood pumping instead. It’s not about hitting the gym hard. Small steps can go a long way to boost your mood, reduce stress and make you feel good.
One quick tip: Try parking a little further away from the office or get off the bus a couple of stops early to get more steps in.
Thursday: Connect
It’s almost the weekend, so there’s no better time to organise a get together. Connecting socially is crucial for better wellbeing, giving you a sense of meaning, support and purpose.
One quick tip: At work, even a simple round of ‘peaks/pits of the day’ with your team can help you unwind and strengthen connections.
Friday: Keep learning
With the final day comes reflection. What have you learnt about yourself or your team this week? Take these learnings into the future and keep engaging with your team in a positive and meaningful way.
One quick tip: A lunch with your team could be a nice way to round out the week and discuss what you’ve learnt or would like to going forward.
Like it? Check the Mental Health Awareness Week website for stacks of handy resources you can incorporate in your workplace to help your team connect and feel supported.
*Advice is from the Mental Health Awareness Week website and provided by Mental Health Foundation New Zealand, Te Whatu Ora and All Sorts.
