Health Awareness over the festive season and holiday period
The festive season is almost here and for many it is a break from work and other daily routines. Christmas should be a joyous happy time where we can spend time with our whanau, catch up on some well deserved rest and enjoy some warmer weather.
However, this time can also bring a lot of stress for people, added fatigue as deadlines are met and extra financial stress. Please remember this and where you can look out for others.
Some things you can do
- Enjoy the small things – take time to get outside and enjoy nature – birdsong, smells of nature, a walk in the rain, watch an old movie.
- Have some ‘you’ time. This can be a busy time with lots of social events. Remember it’s ok to say no or give these events a miss.
- Moderation – if you are attending lots of social functions and spreading Christmas cheer, try not to over indulge. Over eating and over drinking can leave us feeling low in mood, and vulnerable. Try to listen to your body, keep hydrated – drink plenty of water and try to limit the amount of alcohol you are drinking.
- Try to avoid over spending. Work out how much you can afford and stick to it. Shop smart or try making homemade gifts. Be honest with people. Times are financially difficult for many people just now and others understand if you can’t afford expensive gifts.
If you need to talk to someone or need support with a specific issue there are many services available.
- Need to Talk – 1737. Free text or call anytime for support from a trained counsellor 24/7.
- Safe to talk – 0800 044 334 or free text 4334. National sexual harm helpline. Help for you or help for someone else 24/7.
- Depression Helpline – 0800 111 757 or free text 4202. Support, tools and information about depression and anxiety 24/7.
- Gambling Helpline – 0800 654 655 or free text 8006. Support for those worried about gambling or the gambling of others 24/7.
- Alcohol drug helpline – 0800 787 797 or free text 8681. Advice, information and support about drinking or other drug use 24/7.
- National Poisons Centre – 0800 764 766. Poisons advice 24/7.
Take Care in the Sun
The sun in New Zealand has very high levels of ultraviolet (UV) light. As well as sunburn, too much UV can damage your skin and lead to skin cancer. It is important to be sun smart when working or relaxing outdoors. Where you can follow these simple principles to help avoid sun damage
- Find shade – sit under a tree or use an umbrella
- When you can’t find shade, cover up to keep the sun off your skin
- Wear a broad brimmed hat or cap with flaps to protect your neck
- Wear sunglasses
- Wear long sleeved, darker coloured clothing that covers your arms, legs and body
- Use sunscreen – use a broad spectrum (UVA and UVB) water-resistant sunscreen of at least SPF 30
Before using sunscreen
- check it is not past its use by date
- rub it on clean dry skin approximately 20 minutes before going outside
- reapply every 2 hours and after swimming
For further information regarding the effectiveness of sunscreens used in New Zealand see the Consumer website Sunscreens | Overview – Consumer NZ
Source: info.health.nz
New Year Wellness with OH Well
Supporting your staff to get their health back on track is a great way to show your staff you are invested in their health.
At OH Well we offer comprehensive wellness checks as part of our suite of services. This includes
- point of care cholesterol and blood sugar checks
- blood pressure checks
- coronary vascular risk assessments (for people over 40 years of age)
- advice and education on lifestyle choices that can impact on heart health
- smoking cessation advice
- a wellness booklet with heart health information. Individual records are written in this booklet as well
If you would like more information on this or any of our other services, please contact us on 03 377 2661 or admin@ohwell.co.nz
A note from Ingrid
After thirty-five years working in occupational health & safety and then dropping to 3 days a week over the past year, my husband and I have decided to embrace our retirement. For this reason, I have resigned as a permanent employee of OH Well. I will, however, continue on a casual basis, so that I can assist the OH Well team as and when required in 2026. I feel so very privileged to have worked with such a great team, particularly over my last 15 years with OH Well.
I also wish to thank the many clients that have also supported myself and OH Well over the last twenty-five years and I wish you all a very festive Xmas and a positive start to 2026. I have every confidence that Jackie, Susan and the OH Well team will continue to provide an Occupational Health & Wellness service at the highest level.