MHAW: Whānau Wednesday

We’ve made it to the middle of the week!

Feeling connected to others is strongly associated with better wellbeing, because it gives us a sense of meaning, safety, support and purpose. Give yourself — and your loved ones — a mid-week boost, by reaching out to a friend or whānau member you would like to catch up with.

You could connect with the important people in your life today, by:

• Sending them a message, having a kōrero, arranging a catch up in person, or using the MHAW postcard resource to get in touch with a loved one you haven’t talked to in a while.
• Getting tamariki to write a letter to, or draw a picture for, someone they’d like to connect with.
• Helping tamariki make friends with other tauira/students, with Sparklers’ Being a First-Rate Mate
• Baking some treats to share with hoamahi/colleagues at morning tea time. Enjoy a moment to connect with them over some delicious kai.
• Grabbing your mates to spend some time connecting with the whenua. Get into the great outdoors — go on a bush hikoi/walk, hikoi up your local maunga, or breathe in the salty fresh air of the moana. Enjoy a kōrero while you’re there.
• Coming together with your whānau to take a moment for your collective wairua, by trying out these Te Ao Māori mindful breathing exercises.
• Having a think about whether there is someone you know who may be going through a tough time. Reach out and ask them how they are, and empathise and listen to any concerns. You can find more information about how to have a safe and supportive kōrero here. 
• Reaching out to someone who may be lonely, and inviting them to spend time with you.
• And if you’re experiencing loneliness yourself? Remember that feeling isolated is a common experience, and it’s okay to feel this way. By reaching out to someone else, you could be helping that person too — and boosting your wellbeing at the same time.