A series of activities and advice to support your wellbeing
As winter rolls on our spirits and energy levels can start to flag. The good news is that even in our low moments, there are things we can do.
Here is the second in the Well You series of individual wellbeing exercises and other practical offerings to help you boost your mental and physical resilience in the workplace.
Finding meaning and purpose
Sometimes thinking about purpose can make us feel uncomfortable, but it is one of the most unique things we have as human beings and ultimately it is what gives us a sense of direction in life. When we find meaningful activities to pursue, studies show this translates more strongly into happiness than simply trying to pursue pleasure.
Photo credit: Leon on Upsplash
Research confirms there are four main contributors that typically help us to find meaning in life:
- Developing the inner self
- Unity with others
- Expressing full potential
- Service to others
We find meaning by working through all four factors and balancing the natural tensions that can exist between them.
Clarifying personal values is the start
Finding purpose can start with identifying what motivates us and taps directly into our personal goals, values and aspirations.
When it comes to our time at Unitec, we can start by identifying the work-related projects we really identify with and that most resonate with us. Knowing which activities have the potential to deliver the greatest sense of satisfaction helps us to engage more fully with them. We can then draw on the positive feelings we get from achieving these personally significant goals to help sustain us when working on aspects of our role we find less rewarding.
Here’s a tip for managers – if a staff member has identified one work-related thing that lights their fire, it is in your best interest and theirs to do what you can to support them in that!
Not sure what your personal values are?
Values tools can be helpful for prompting reflection, especially when they are aligned with your own cultural lens. Here are some exercises to try:
- Guided exploration: Life Map Wellbeing Bites is a set of five 10 minutes exercises to help you gain clarity around your life’s vision, values and other such things that you need to lead a healthy, balanced life. You can start these exercises any time, you just need to pick the time and place. Contact the Wellness Team for a weekly calendar invite and more information outlining the process.
- Online workshop. All Unitec staff have access to Linked In Learning. Check out this 15 to 20 minute online workshop to explore and clarify your values:
Haven’t yet activated your account? Get the LinkedIn learning activation link.