Matt Cowley will probably mix up exercises between mindfulness, stress management, and sleep categories to relax and unwind. Photo / Getty Images
Matt Cowley will probably mix up exercises between mindfulness, stress management, and sleep categories to relax and unwind. Photo / Getty Images
COMMENT:
More Kiwi personalities are openly discussing how they've battled and overcome various personal challenges regarding mental health.
It's fantastic. But while it's becoming increasingly common for famous people to normalise their mental health, there is still a dash of hesitancy amongst us mere mortals.
A few leaders I knowhave recognised the burden of leadership in an employment setting.
It can be lonely at the top. Leaders are expected to show their authentic leadership style to staff while also, at certain times, masking their emotions so their team doesn't start to get worried.
This is particularly true if an organisation is under pressure to perform and the leader has just had a tough meeting with their board, a big customer, a major supplier, or their bank. Leaders work hard to avoid their emotions becoming contagious throughout their organisation.
The pandemic highlighted how much work actually impacts our personal lives, and how our personal lives can impact work. They're interconnected, and we're more aware of how ignoring personal wellbeing can lead to a range of less-than-ideal outcomes at work.
It has been a tough and exhausting three years for everyone, and there are a lot of people worried about what 2023 may look like.
FirstSteps.nz is a free programme designed to help local people in business go from 'under pressure' to 'under control'.
Kiwis generally find it difficult to reach out for help, so the Government partnered with the Auckland Business Chamber and Employers and Manufactures Association (EMA) to develop the programme by listening to more than 70,000 Kiwi business leaders over the past year.
The great news is that the Government has recently extended the programme nationwide.
This self-directed platform gives you the power to select support where you personally need it. From the 80,000 downloads over the past year, the most sought-after resources have related to coping with anxiety, burnout and lack of sleep.
Matt Cowley will probably mix up exercises between mindfulness, stress management, and sleep categories to relax and unwind. Photo / Getty Images
At FirstSteps.nz you can find a range of resources, video content, podcasts, and tools to help you make sense of challenging situations, reduce pressure, and make a meaningful change toward a fulfilling and balanced life.
In additional to self-directed resources, FirstSteps.nz provides access to confidential support from approved professional wellbeing providers.
I'll put my hand up and say, personally, it feels like I haven't had a decent break since before the pandemic. And looking ahead, next year is going to be a tough year for business, which will increase the demand for the Tauranga Business Chamber's services.
So, a challenge I'm setting for myself over my summer break is to dedicate 10 minutes each day to jumping on the FirstSteps.nz website so as to help me actively rest and relax.
Safe to talk (sexual harm): Call 0800 044 334 or text 4334
All services are free and available 24/7 unless otherwise specified.
For more information and support, talk to your local doctor, hauora, community mental health team, or counselling service. The Mental Health Foundation has more helplines and service contacts on its website.
