It’s Mental Health Awareness Week (MHAW) and mental health and wellbeing is something we take very seriously here at Council.
Quoting the Mental Health Awareness Week website, www.mhaw.nz, life has been a rollercoaster lately.
We've faced uncertainty, unfamiliarity, and hardships that have left us with mixed emotions.
Five Ways for Five Days of MHAW, gives us a set of proven tools to boost our mental health when we need it.
Take Notice | Me Aro Tonu – Monday
Take Notice refers to the practice of mindfulness. Mindfulness can be thought of as open
and receptive attention to, and awareness of, what is occurring in the present moment.
Keep in touch with what our Council is doing or planning to do in our district. You could do this by attending a council or community board/committee meeting to keep abreast of what’s happening and meet a few people involved in Council decision-making.
Give | Tukua – Tuesday
Give refers to actions based on kindness, concern for the wellbeing of others, or generosity. Carrying out acts of kindness boosts our happiness, life satisfaction, and overall wellbeing.
This is a big one for me personally and our Council. Everyone has a right to be angry or disappointed if something doesn’t go well. However, no one has the right to take out that anger on our staff in the form of verbal or written abuse.
Most customers who contact Council at our offices, on the phone or on social media, act reasonably and responsibly, even if they are experiencing distress, frustration or anger about their concern.
However, in a small number of cases some customers behave in ways that are inappropriate and unacceptable.
If you do find yourself losing your cool, please take a moment to remember that you are dealing with people who are leading their own full lives on the frontline of customer service and are often, just as yourselves, WDC ratepayers too.
Be Active | Me Kori Tonu – Wednesday
Widely recognised as being crucial for physical health and fitness, being active is also a
powerful mood booster. Being active can not only make us feel good, it also enhances our
thinking and learning abilities.
Get out and about in our district and make the most of our many reserves, walking tracks and sports fields – we’ve got plenty to offer for you to enjoy the outdoors as we head into summer.
Connect | Me Whakawhanaunga – Thursday
Connection is the ngākau/heart of our wellbeing. It weaves us together, making us feel
seen, heard, and understood.
Connect with us. Get in touch with our staff, our councillors or our community boards or committees if you have ideas on how to make our place a better place.
Keep Learning | Me Ako Tonu – Friday
Keep Learning refers to ‘exercising our mind’ – almost like taking our brain to the gym.
Maybe you could take the time to learn what Council does – check out our website, www.waikatodistrict.govt.nz where you’ll find a wealth of information.
They’re hugely important, but we’re not just about roads, rubbish and water. Through our vision of building Liveable, Thriving, Connected Communities, we aim to make our district the best possible place to live, work and play, whether that be our infrastructure, our social structure or our economic structure.
And finally, there’s nothing better for our mental health than a feel good, success story.
The scenes at Mt Smart Stadium when the Warriors trounced the Knights to make the NRL final four were a joy to see.
So, from the heartland of rugby league in New Zealand there’s just three words to end on…..
Up the Wahs!!
