Wellbeing
The aim of the Wellbeing Refresher Module is to provide individuals with knowledge and tools to improve their own wellbeing, support others, promote a positive workplace culture, and increase awareness about mental health.
The Powerhouse Museum 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. The Powerhouse Wellbeing program is supported by UPRISE, a coaching/ counselling service and digital program that can be used by all staff and volunteers.
The 5 ways are: Connect, Be Active, Take Notice, Keep Learning, and Give. Each of these ways provides a simple and effective way to improve our wellbeing. Read more below.
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. Read more here
Engage in physical activity that suits your level of mobility and fitness. Options include going for a stroll, or a roll, and enjoying the outdoors. Play games, do some gardening, or dance – all of these activities can make you feel good.
It’s essential to find a physical activity you enjoy that can be sustained. The current guidance supports everyone, regardless of ability, to get outside each day for physical activity. Being active isn’t limited to ‘working out.’ Discover a personalised way to stay active that suits you. Learn more here. Read more here
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
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
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
Meditation is a powerful tool that can help to improve mental and emotional wellbeing, reduce stress, and promote relaxation. It involves focusing your attention on your breath or a specific object, which helps to calm the mind and increase feelings of inner peace. In recent years, modern scientific research has provided compelling evidence that meditation can have numerous positive effects on the brain and the body.
Studies have shown that regular meditation practice can reduce stress and anxiety, improve sleep quality, enhance cognitive function, and even lower blood pressure. One study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that regular mindfulness meditation practice can reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety in patients with chronic pain.
Meditation has also been shown to have positive effects on the brain. A study published in the journal Frontiers in Human Neuroscience found that meditation can increase the thickness of the prefrontal cortex, the area of the brain responsible for executive function and decision-making. Another study published in the journal Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging found that meditation can increase the activity in the default mode network, a network of brain regions that is active during rest and self-reflection.
In addition to its mental and physical health benefits, meditation has also been found to have positive effects on aging. A study published in the journal Psychoneuroendocrinology found that regular meditation practice can reduce age-related cognitive decline and improve memory function in older adults.
To learn more about the benefits of meditation and how to incorporate it into your daily routine, check out the following links to scientific journals:
- Frontiers in Human Neuroscience: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnhum.2012.00034/full
- Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S245190221500076X
- Psychoneuroendocrinology: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306453016304627
Remember, whether you’re new to meditation or have been practicing for years, there are many resources available to help you explore the benefits of this ancient practice.
- “The Scientific Power of Meditation” by AsapScience – This video discusses how meditation can have a positive impact on various aspects of our lives, including reducing stress, improving focus, and enhancing our overall well-being.
- “Mindfulness Meditation for Beginners” by The Honest Guys – This is a great video for beginners who want to learn the basics of meditation and mindfulness. It’s a guided meditation that helps to reduce stress and promote relaxation.
- Guided Meditation” by The Mindful Movement – This video is specifically designed for seniors who want to practice meditation. It’s a guided meditation that focuses on breathing techniques and mindfulness.
The Uprise difference
In traditional employee assistance programs, employees attend face-to-face counselling and/or coaching sessions with a licenced healthcare professional. Often traditional EAP is utilised after employees have experienced a significant degree of emotional stress.
Uprise is an online program which proactively equips you with practical tools to address challenges in your personal and professional lives. Uprise can be used by all employees, not just those in crisis. The program may help you to improve and maintain your wellbeing and improve the quality of your personal and professional life.
Using Uprise digital program
Using Uprise’s digital platform, you can work through a wellbeing program at your own pace.
To access Uprise:
- Sign up and log in to the Uprise platform on your computer by clicking here or on your mobile: Download on the App Store | Get it on Google play
- Use the code MAAS to register
- Complete a short questionnaire based on the World Health Organisation’s Wellbeing Index
- Book in your first call with an Uprise coach (optional)
- Complete the modules to work on your mental and physical wellbeing
Your participation in the Uprise program is confidential. Your individual results are never shared with anyone outside of your phone coach. Furthermore, nothing you discuss with your coach will be shared with anyone else.
If you require immediate assistance please call 1300 209 371