Coping and recovering
The people of Hurunui and Kaikōura have been through a lot since the November 2016 earthquake. Some are still working through their losses. Some are still struggling with the stress of recovery. We all cope with things in different ways and at different times.
The Kaikōura Views project shares stories of where fifteen Kaikōura locals are at with their wellbeing. It lets people know that others are feeling just like they are - because no matter how you’re feeling, you're not alone.
- See what they say here: https://allright.org.nz/our-projects/kaikoura-voices/
- Recovery after a disaster can take a long time. Learn more here: https://allright.org.nz/articles/all-right-kaikoura/
- Build your own resilience to emergencies - https://www.redcross.org.nz/what-we-do/in-new-zealand/education-programmes/kia-pakari-schools-resilience-programme/
Training tips for supercharging your wellbeing
Building five actions into our day to day lives will help supercharge our wellbeing. These five actions are called the Five Ways to Wellbeing:
- Connect, me whakawhanaunga
- Give, tukua
- Take notice, me aro tonu
- Keep learning, me ako tonu
- Be active, me kori tonu
Increased wellbeing makes us:
- more resilient
- mentally stronger
- more capable of solving problems
- more creative.
You could think of it as ‘mental fitness’.
Connect, me whakawhanaunga
Connecting/me whakawhanaunga is being with family, friends, class mates, and neighbours. You can connect at home, work, school, or other places in your local community.
Tools to help you connect:
- https://allright.org.nz/tools/sparklers/compliment-posters/
- https://allright.org.nz/tools/sparklers/everyday-kindness/
- https://allright.org.nz/tools/sparklers/whanau-posters/
Give, tukua
Giving/tukua is all about doing something for someone else. It could be as simple as giving your friend a pat on the back when they do well at school. Compliments and smiles cost us nothing to give. You can also give someone your time. Making people happy and helping them out will also make you feel good.
Tools to help you give:
- https://allright.org.nz/our-projects/compliment-bomb/
- https://allright.org.nz/tools/sparklers/compliment-tag/
- https://allright.org.nz/tools/sparklers/sneaky-thank-you-cards/
Take notice, me aro tonu
To take notice/me aro tonu is to be aware of the world around you and what you are feeling. It is about enjoying the moment and bringing all your attention to what you are doing at the time. You could try eating without doing other things at the same time such as texting or watching a screen.
Tools to help you take notice:
- Focus on your breathing with Hikitia te Hā or Tummy breathing https://allright.org.nz/tools/sparklers/tummy-breathing/
- There are some good examples of karakia to open and start school or group time here.
- Discover your Hidden Strengths and find ways to use them at school.
Keep learning, me ako tonu
To keep learning it helps to be curious and try new things. It’s like exercise for your brain. Learning doesn’t have to stop when school finishes. You can keep learning with:
- puzzles and games
- hobbies
- art practice
- trying new foods
- reading books.
Tools to help you keep learning:
- The All Right? App – daily mini missions to make you feel good
- Find out about what makes your workmates feel ‘All Right’? by creating your very own poster
- Take the Hidden Strengths Quiz – then put all of your team’s strengths on a poster using the poster generator.
- Use a Habit Stick to follow a ‘curiosity challenge’ like learning a new word every day or practicing a musical instrument.
Be active, me kori tonu
Being active is about moving your body and doing physical activity you enjoy. It doesn’t always have to look like exercise. Being active helps make you feel good and gives you more energy.
Tools to help you be active:
- https://allright.org.nz/tools/sparklers/energy-rollercoaster/
- Organise a game of human foosball.
- Create a walking poster generator.
- Make a good habit stick!
- Watch this video for more ideas to help you stay active.
