Five ways to wellbeing
For many Kiwis, retirement can be a big transition from the usual day-to-day working schedule. Going from a regular routine to having more flexibility with your time is great, but adjusting and adapting to your new lifestyle can also be a challenge.
The ‘Five Ways to Wellbeing’ is an initiative that was created based on the New Economics Foundation’s (NEF) Foresight Project on Mental Capital and Wellbeing research report.
The report found that building five actions into day-to-day lives is important for the wellbeing of individuals, families, communities and organisations. Check out the five ways to wellbeing below, including some great tips and examples.
The ability to connect and share with others is important. Building meaningful relationships with whānau (family), friends and the community can go a long way to increasing your sense of belonging and strengthening personal wellbeing.
- Contact a friend you have not seen or spoken to for a while.
- Take time to read your local newspaper or newsletter – find out what’s going on in your community and local area.
- Join a group: it could be your local sports team, book club, choir – whatever interests you most!
Volunteering and being involved with your community is a great way to improve not only your wellbeing but others as well!
Carrying out acts of kindness, no matter how big or small, can help increase happiness, life satisfaction and general sense of wellbeing.
- Give a compliment – acknowledge what someone in your life has done well.
- If you have fruit trees pop your excess fruit out on the street with a “help yourself” sign.
- Join a community clean up day – could be a local stream, river, beach or park – or a tree planting project with friends or family.
Paying more attention to the present moment, to our thoughts and feelings and to the world around us can help boost our wellbeing.
- Learn useful techniques for becoming more aware of life as it is happening. Stop for a while; take 10 mindful breaths in and out, calming the body and mind, then simply rest where you are noticing everything that is going on around you.
- Learn yoga or meditation.
- Practise gratitude; keep a diary by writing down three things for which you are grateful on a daily or weekly basis. Take the time to give a special thank you to people who support you everyday.
Learning, remaining curious and setting goals are important for everyone at every stage of life. Learning helps us to set and achieve goals which is strongly connected to higher levels of wellbeing.
- Learn something you don’t know about your hometown or local area – check out local history societies, books, plaques or talk to your neighbours.
- Learn a new skill – it could be anything from learning how to change a tyre to how to care for pot plants.
- Discover the name of the iwi, hapu, maunga and awa of the place you live.
Being physically active helps boost our wellbeing and decrease stress, depression and anxiety. Discover a physical activity you enjoy and one that suits your level of mobility and fitness.
- Organise or participate in walking tours of local places of interest in your community or suburb.
- Check out your garden – pulling some weeds or planting something new can help you work up a sweat.
- Getting stuck in to the house work is a sure fire way to work up a sweat while being productive.
When it comes to retirement, your financial wellbeing is also important. At Heartland Reverse Mortgages, we recognise that our product isn’t right for everyone’s situation – but for those that it is right for, it can be life-changing. Since 2004, we’ve helped over 20,000 Kiwis enjoy more freedom in their retirement.
We have a team of friendly specialists and a process that ensures you make an informed decision with no pressure. If you think a reverse mortgage could be right for you, call us on 0800 488 740 or send us an email at [email protected].
In the meantime, feel free to download our free, no obligation insights guide here.
Applications are subject to loan approval criteria. Heartland Bank Limited’s responsible lending criteria, terms, conditions, fees and charges apply.
