WoW Newsletter: July 2022
WoW Newsletter: July 2022
Welcome to the Wheel of Wellbeing (WoW) – a simple framework designed to improve people’s health, happiness and wellbeing by focusing on six areas – Body, Mind, Spirit, People, Place and Planet. This monthly newsletter provides a roundup of the latest wellbeing tips, activities, research and resources to inspire better health and wellbeing. Tap into them — for yourself, your families, workplaces, schools and communities — and help create a happier world for us all.
This month we continue our focus on how connecting with people, places and the planet supports wellbeing for all.
Plastic Free July
Join millions of people reducing their plastic waste.
Plastic Free July is a global movement that helps millions of people be part of the solution to plastic pollution — so we can have cleaner streets, oceans, and beautiful communities. Will you be part of Plastic Free July by choosing to refuse single-use plastics? You can find lots of resources and ideas here to help reduce single-use plastic waste every day at home, work, school, and even at your local café.
12th July – National Simplicity Day
“As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler.” David Thoreau
Photo by Sensei Minimal on Unsplash
National Simplicity Day invites us to celebrate life through simplicity by turning off our devices, removing of unnecessary complications and culling from our lives what doesn’t bring us joy. So why not step away from the computer and find a quiet nook with a cup of tea and a book to pass the time? Walk in the park, woods or through fields, smell the air, feel it against your skin and hear the sounds of birds and insects. Take the time to relax and consider how you want to proceed in your life. What can you cut out that buries you under complications that bring no benefits? Are there people or things you can remove that will make your life a little happier each day?
18th July – World Listening Day
World Listening Day was created to draw attention to the importance of listening to the world around us and understanding the relationship between human beings and their environment, particularly as it relates to sound.
Find out how to set time aside to listen to your ‘soundscape’, organise a listening party, reduce noise pollution and other great ideas here.
29th July – Schools Tree Day 31st July – National Tree Day
“Without trees there is no life. National Tree Day is a celebration of trees and the many benefits they have in society from many different perspectives, such as health and wellbeing to environmental sustainability. I love that this program aims to connect people with nature, and to inspire and educate our future generations on the importance trees play in society.” Simone Horder, National Tree Day Manager
Connect with nature on National Tree Day — a call-to-action for Australians to unite and give back to the community and the land on which they live. This year there is a call to plant 1 million new trees in Australia on what has become the country’s largest community tree-planting and nature protection event. So far nearly 26 million trees have been planted by around 5 million people in aid of National Tree Day.
In 2022, Schools Tree Day is Friday 29th July and National Tree Day is Sunday 31st July. Explore some great resources for school, community and home.
30th July — International Day of Friendship
“Friendship is always a sweet responsibility, never an opportunity.” Khalil Gibran
‘Sharing the human spirit through friendship’ is the theme of this year’s International Day of Friendship. On this day, the United Nations invites us to confront the many crises and challenges facing the world today by promoting and defending a shared spirit of human solidarity in its simplest form: friendship.
Photo by Robert Collins on Unsplash
“Through friendship — by accumulating bonds of camaraderie and developing strong ties of trust — we can contribute to the fundamental shifts that are urgently needed to achieve lasting stability, weave a safety net that will protect us all, and generate passion for a better world where all are united for the greater good.” United Nations
Friendships bring many benefits — from reducing loneliness, to helping us to achieve our goals, and supporting us through life’s ups and downs. What’s more, solid friendship is good for our health. Why not explore these great ideas for celebrating friendship at home, work or school.
Watch and Listen:
Simple Solutions to Systems change
Check out this latest movie series from the Story of Stuff, spotlighting viable, simple, and efficient solutions that drive us away from plastic and promote real system change that benefits people and the planet.
What happens if you cut down a city’s trees? Find out more in this fascinating short animated TED talk.
What happens if you cut down a city’s trees? Find out more in this fascinating short animated TED talk.
WoW Spotlight
WoW Collaboration in Central Queensland
One of our WoW practitioners in Rockhampton wanted some ideas for a fun, interactive WoW session for a Central Queensland Youth Connect group of teen girls, so she contacted WoW Advanced Practitioner Kath Hema for ideas. Kath was able to share a successful two-hour WoW taster session that she and her colleagues had run for a Central Highlands Regional Council Community Team Building Day. The Rockhampton teen session, based around lots of activities including the Balloon Challenge, Human Rock Scissors Paper, and the Curiosity Carousel was well received, with feedback including that it was ‘super fun and interesting’.
Kath and her colleagues are continuing to run two-hour WoW sessions in Tieri and neighbouring communities — it’s great to see how WoW is being used, and shared and enjoyed across communities!
Great Articles & Websites
How to be a better friend
A great article from the New York Times on why friendships matter, how to sustain them and the simple steps you can take to be a better friend. Plus, an insightful article from the Greater Good Science Center on why your friendships are more important than you think.
Soundscapes
Immerse yourself in this fascinating literature review on ‘Sound and Soundscape in Restorative Natural Environments’.
This soundscapes activity from the National Geographic invites students to discuss the natural and human-made sounds that help to define a sense of place. Then they go home to identify and collect sounds that define their home’s sense of place.
Plastic Pollution
Read the latest sobering statistics on global plastic pollution.
Need help?
Image by skeeze from Pixabay
Concerned about the health and safety of yourself, family or friends?
- If you suspect you or a family member has coronavirus you should call (not visit) your GP or ring the national 24-hour Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080. You can get the latest updates here: government advice on Coronavirus
- If you are experiencing a mental health crisis: Lifeline Australia or phone 13 11 14
- visit Beyond Blue to access their Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service
Financial difficulties?
- Click here for information on the government’s latest coronavirus financial support.
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Supported by the Queensland Mental Health Commission
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