Check in on your wellbeing using Te Whare Tapa Whā

Just like your physical health, your mental and emotional wellbeing needs to be cared for too. Taha hinengaro is about how you think, feel and communicate. To support your hinengaro, you could practise mindfulness with this Hikitia te Hā breathing exercise or write your thoughts in a journal. How about a new hobby to expand your mind? You could join a kapa haka group or learn te reo Māori.

Nurturing your body in a way that works for you can support your wellbeing. It’s about how your body feels and how you take care of it, from nourishing it with nutritious food and rest, to keeping active. Moving your body doesn’t have to mean a workout, you could do some mindful stretches, plant a vegetable garden, or have a dance-off with your whānau.

Taha whānau is about who you share your life with – it could be your whānau, friends, colleagues, or community. Share lunch with a colleague, have a games night with whānau, or volunteer in your community. Feel like a kōrero? Call a friend and practise some te reo Māori phrases while you’re catching up. Feeling connected to the people in your life makes a big difference to your wellbeing.

Taha wairua explores your relationship with the environment, people and your heritage – it’s different for everyone. You might like to spend time in a space that is important to you, like your marae, place of worship, or in nature. Or maybe you could start your day with a karakia, listen to a meaningful waiata, or connect with your culture by practising a special tradition. Find what gives you purpose – there is no right or wrong way to think about wairua.

Whenua forms the foundation of your wharenui – it is your connection to the land, environment, and your tūrangawaewae/the places you belong. You could visit your local beach and notice how the sand feels beneath your feet, or walk up your nearest maunga and listen to the sounds of nature around you. Connecting to the whenua can also be as simple as spending time in places that are meaningful to you. Maybe that’s at home with your whānau, or on the court with your sports team.