The Powerhouse Wellbeing Program aims to promote the health and wellbeing of our community, by developing activities and initiatives in collaboration with staff and volunteers, informed by the 5 Ways to Wellbeing strategy.
As part of our commitment to supporting volunteers, Uprise, the Museum’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP), is available for all volunteers to utilise. Uprise proactively equips volunteers with practical tools to address challenges in their personal and professional lives, offering an online program as well as coaching. Access Uprise here, use code MAAS, or call 1300 209 371.
Five Ways to Wellbeing at a time of physical distancing
1. CONNECT
Connect with the people around you. With family, friends, colleagues and neighbours. At home, work, school or in your local community. Think of these as the cornerstones of your life and invest time in developing them. Building these connections will support and enrich you every day.
This is particularly important and challenging during this crisis. Our volunteer online briefings are a great way to check in with your fellow volunteers, other online platforms have sprung up to enable us to see friends and family (Zoom, WhatsApp). Write postcards (real and virtual), reach out to friends and family who are in self isolation and check in with neighbours. Read more here
2. BE ACTIVE
Go for a walk or run. Step outside. Cycle. Play a game. Garden. Dance. Exercising makes you feel good. Most importantly, discover a physical activity you enjoy and that suits your level of mobility and fitness.
The current guidance says that everyone is able to go out each day for a walk, cycle or run. Being active is not only about ‘working out’, find a way to be active that suits you and can be sustained. Read more here
3. TAKE NOTICE
Catch sight of the beautiful. Remark on the unusual. Notice the changing seasons. Savour the moment, whether you are eating lunch or talking to friends. Be aware of the world around you and what you are feeling. Reflecting on your experiences will help you appreciate what matters to you.
Notice the beauty in the world around your home. Take time to feel the sun on your skin, breathe in fresh air whenever you can, make a list of what you’re grateful for, take the time to thank someone for how they make you feel, do a guided meditation, watch the plants in your home or outside your window growing and changing with each passing day. Read more here
4. KEEP LEARNING
Try something new. Rediscover an old interest. Sign up for that course. Fix a bike. Learn to play an instrument or how to cook your favourite food. Set a challenge you will enjoy achieving. As well as being fun, learning new things will make you more confident.
Staying curious and engaging with the world around you is a great way to uplift your wellbeing. Do a that course you have been eyeing off. Research your family tree. Look up stories, myths and legends from different cultures. Ask your kids to teach you something they learned at school. Read more here
5. GIVE
Do something nice for a friend, or a stranger. Thank someone. Smile. Volunteer your time. Join a community group. Look out, as well as in. Seeing yourself, and your happiness, linked to the wider community can be incredibly rewarding and creates connections with the people around you.
Say thanks to someone, share a favourite recipe, let people know you’re there to help. Check in on neighbours and members of your community who may need to hear a cheery voice or need a helping hand. Read more here