Coping and recovering
The people of Hurunui and Kaikōura have been through a lot since the November 2016 earthquake. Everyone’s at a different place in their recovery journey.
Some are still working through their losses or struggling with the stress of recovery. Others are excited about their future. Sometimes these responses happen all at the same time! And that’s all right - we all cope with things in different ways.
The Kaikōura Views project shares the stories of where fifteen Kaikōura locals are at with their wellbeing. It details what they do to look after themselves, and their advice for others. This 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/
- Resources to empower young people to build resilience in school communities - 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, and more capable of solving problems or being creative. You could think of it as ‘mental fitness’.
Connect, me whakawhanaunga
Connecting/me whakawhanaunga is being with family, friends, class mates, and neighbours. Sometimes, not even talking, just hanging with the people around you. 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 other than yourself. It could be as simple as giving your friend a pat on the back when they help someone or 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, whether you are walking to school, eating lunch, or talking to mates. It is about enjoying the moment and being mindful of the world around you. You could try slowing down and enjoying food at meal times without doing other things at the same time such as texting or watching a screen. Taking notice is about bringing all your attention to what you are doing in each moment. It might be hard at first, but you get better the more you practice.
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 through puzzles and games, hobbies, art practice, trying new foods, reading books etc.
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, getting outside, 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.
