Keeping up with our health and wellbeing, in all its facets, is much more complex than us just telling you what wellbeing means to us. We all imagine wellbeing in our own way which shapes the different support we may access. We also recognise that wellbeing looks different for everyone and the things we need most in stressful times changes between individuals, groups, and cultures. Therefore, this year’s Wiki Whai Hauora (Monday 27th September – Friday 1st October) is a week of pursuing health and supporting your wellbeing.
This year, Wiki Whai Hauora aligns with Mental Health Awareness Week, to ensure we take the time to kōrero / mā te kōrero, ka ora. Whether that means getting involved in a quiz with your flatmates, having a boogie/move session with sport and rec, building glitter jars, having a kōrero over some kai, or baking, it’s a week to highlight that the little things go a long way for our wellbeing.
But, as we approach the end of the semester, it is so easy to lose sight of our health and wellbeing, especially during lockdown. We all do it, whether it’s pulling all-nighters to finish assignments, staying in the same set of pyjamas for three days, sleeping until midday, eating nothing but mi-goreng, or staying cooped up in our rooms watching Netflix on repeat. Although these things may feel good in the moment, they don’t necessarily serve our hauora in the long term. Sometimes we might not even know what wellbeing is to us…so, we decided to get the kōrero going and posed the question to the student community: “What is wellbeing to you?”
“Wellbeing is taking care of myself by sleeping in and not pushing myself during lockdown. I do my favourite things like cooking, watching movies, going for walks, lighting candles, putting on my fairy lights while I study, and listening to my favourite music to get me in my zone.” – Undergrad Student, 21
“Saying no to extra things and not worrying (or at least not thinking) about the consequences for the future. Guilt-free self-time!” – Postgrad Student, 23
“It’s taking the time out to be with my family and caring for myself. Things like dressing up help make me feel good about myself in general. Wellbeing to me also means investing time in my development by taking part in educational courses!”- 4th Year Student, 24
“Making sure that uni isn’t taking over my whole lockdown, is key!”- Undergrad Student, 22
“It’s doing the things you love without other things weighing down on you. Really, it’s making sure the walls of your whare are strong.” – Club President, 21
As we go into the final stages of the semester, let’s take the time to connect with the people in our lives and create space for conversations about mental health and wellbeing. Scan the QR code below and join us in a week of wellbeing, we’d love to see you there.
Mauri ora,
Your Wellbeing Ambassadors <3
