mentalhealth.org.nz > Newsletters > MindNet > Living and working well in 2010

Issue 18 - Spring 2009

ISSN 1178-2587

Living and working well in 2010

By Chris Banks and Carrie Briffett, Communications Officer, Mental Health Foundation

Introduction
Nuture optimism
Look after yourself in your place of work
Improve wellbeing
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Introduction

According to the results of a recent online poll by the Mental Health Foundation,
New Zealanders are generally feeling optimistic for 2010 and beyond.

In total 32.1 percent of voters said they felt very optimistic about their future and 10.3 percent said they felt somewhat optimistic. For some, 2009 had been difficult and 30.8 percent said they felt 2010 had to be better than the preceding year.

The Foundation is encouraged by the results of its poll and says that optimism is an important trait to nurture.

"Optimism is not about ignoring life's difficulties," Judi Clements, Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation says. "It's about developing resilience to address and overcome obstacles, and having the hope to anticipate happiness in one's life."

Only 14.1 percent said they didn't feel at all optimistic for 2010 and beyond, with 12.8 percent saying they were uncertain.

This may be because in January, most New Zealanders are returning to work after their Christmas and New Year holidays and it's not uncommon for people to feel a bit low. This combined with an economic climate that is still affecting some people can lead to heightened stress and anxiety.

The Foundation suggests a variety of approaches to improving mental health and wellbeing - positive goals to aim for in 2010:

  • Nurture optimism
  • Look after yourself in your place of work
  • Improve wellbeing

Nurture optimism

Make it a priority to develop a more optimistic view of life in 2010, especially if it is something that you have struggled with in the past.

optimistic girl

 

Five tips to get you started are:

  1. Try to see the bigger picture - ask yourself if something is really that important in the long term
  2. Practice gratitude - try writing something down every night for which you feel grateful
  3. Celebrate your achievements and successes
  4. When faced with a tough situation remember that you have overcome obstacles before
  5. Focus on solutions, not the problem itself

Look after yourself in your place of work

There are some simple ways to get your year off to a great start and make you feel more positive and in control of your work place.

work life balance sign

 

  • Tidy up: Mess will depress. Make your workplace as comfortable and pleasant as possible and add a personal touch with new photos or other items - work will be a lot easier if it's the kind of place you want to be.
  • Prioritise: Aim to complete important work tasks first when you return to work, and think about the time management techniques you'll use during the year.
  • Have something to look forward to: Put one thing on your task list every day you enjoy doing and start thinking about your next holiday even if it's months away.
  • Make it easy on yourself: Think about what would make your work more enjoyable and try to implement these ideas.
  • Start a personal project: Rather than slipping back into an old routine, give yourself fresh motivation and focus by starting a new project (either work or non-work related) that you can devote your creative energies to.
  • Take a break: Take time during the day to chat with colleagues or go for a walk - everyone needs a break. But be sure to keep a balance or you risk increasing your own pressure.
  • Manage your stress: Be aware of the way stress affects you and what you can do to combat it.

However, if the back-to-work blues persist for more than a few weeks if may signal the onset of depression. If you have concerns, speak to your GP as soon as possible, or check the Mental Health Foundation website for more information.

Improve wellbeing

As well as thinking about mental health in the workplace, there are some simple things that people can do to improve their day-to-day lives in the long term, by building on the five winning ways to wellbeing that were the focus of Mental Health Awareness Week in 2009.

"I have decided that this year is about doing more of the things that enable me to florish!

"That means being around people that I love and that love me and want me to succeed. As well being in environments that are affirming of people not disabling.

"It is about deciding to be a fish in water, not a fish out of water! It is about creating my own pond and finding other brightly coloured fish to swim with!

"I have joined a synchronised swimming group called Wet Hot Bee-acth's, a friend an I organised the first Freemans Bay tea party in order to start building community connectedness in our neighbourhood, and I have a hot new dress on lay-buy!

"2010 marks the start of a very exciting, very colourful, new phase of life!"

older couple walking on the beach

Judi Clements says the Mental Health Foundation is continuing to focus on these elements of wellbeing because of their proven effectiveness as researched by the UK's Foresight Project.

These elements are:

Connect: Develop your relationships with friends, family, colleagues and neighbours as these connections support you and enrich your lives. This time of year can be a great time to connect with friends and loved ones who you haven't seen in a while.

Be active: Physical activity helps you to feel good so find something that you enjoy and suits your ability. Focus on outdoor pursuits over the summertime and start thinking about indoor alternatives for the middle of the year when the weather is less reliable.

Take notice: Be aware of the world around you and see the beauty in everyday and unusual things - reflecting on them helps you appreciate what matters to you. Perhaps you could visit somewhere in your local area you have always been meaning to visit, make a photo diary of the holiday period or get every friend/family member to write something they have been grateful for this year.

Learn: Make it a new year's resolution to try something new, rediscover an old interest or take on a new challenge. Learning makes you more confident and can be fun, so think about signing up for a course, learning to cook or dance picking up a new instrument or language, or joining a book club.

Give: The best gift is time so think about ways you can give some of your time to do something nice for a family member, a friend, a neighbour or a stranger and see how you and your happiness are aligned to a wider community.

We hope that these suggestions help you to make the most of 2010 and wish you a very happy and healthy year.

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