Taha hinengaro

Explore your taha hinengaro (mental and emotional wellbeing)

One in five Kiwis experiences a mental illness each year. Almost all of these people will recover or live well with the right tautoko (support).

Te Whare Tapa Whā is a model of health that helps us identify where we need extra support. It describes health as a wharenui (meeting house) with four walls. These walls represent:

taha wairua (spiritual wellbeing)
taha hinengaro (mental and emotional wellbeing)
taha tinana (physical wellbeing)
taha whānau (family and social wellbeing)

Connection with the whenua (land) forms the foundation. When all four walls and the foundation are strong, we feel strong too, including our top two inches (our mental wellbeing).

What is taha hinengaro?

Just like your physical health, your taha hinengaro (mental and emotional wellbeing) needs to be taken care of. Taha hinengaro is your mind, heart, conscience, thoughts and feelings. It’s about how you feel, as well as how you communicate and think.

Why is taha hinengaro an important way to wellbeing?

Taking care of taha hinengaro is important for everyone, regardless of whether or not you’ve experienced mental illness or distress. Being involved in meaningful, fulfilling mahi has huge benefits for your taha hinengaro. If you don’t enjoy your mahi, or if you don’t feel valued or supported it can have a negative impact on how you feel. Even if you’re going through this right now, you can still do things to boost your wellbeing.

When your taha hinengaro is strong, you can better cope with the ups and downs of life. You can express your feelings and reach out for support from friends and whānau if you need to.

Person sitting on rocks rugged up and watching the rough ocean waves

Exploring your way to wellbeing through taha hinengaro

Carve out a special moment in your day to do something nice for yourself. It could be enjoying a cup of coffee with a friend, listening to your favourite song while you work, or taking a walk around the block to get some fresh air.
Take 10 minutes at the start of the day to do a mindfulness meditation. This will help you to focus on the day ahead.
Make a gratitude wall at your desk or shared space – you could even invite people to bring in photos or write down the things they are grateful for in their lives right now. It’s a nice visual reminder of the things that make us feel good, and it’s cool to read what other people are grateful for too!
Create a wellbeing space – somewhere people can go to do their own wellbeing practices such as meditation, karakia or physical exercise.

Take the opportunity to ask your friends and whānau how they are and really listen to the answers.
Start a wellbeing committee or social club with a wellbeing focus. The goal is to come up with monthly activities for people to get involved in that will give their wellbeing a boost.
Get out of your usual work or study environment and go for a walk, being active will help generate more innovative ideas! Even if you work outdoors it’s a good idea to take yourself away from your normal environment.
Give a compliment – acknowledge someone in your community or workplace who makes your day that much brighter! It’ll give you warm fuzzies too.
Complete another random act of kindness for someone in your life!

Take some time to reflect on what taha hinengaro means to you. If you tried out any of the activities above, what specifically made you feel good and what didn’t? If any of the activities helped to boost your mental health and wellbeing why not find ways to include them regularly in your week.