Getting a team together to take part in an event like Southern Cross Round The Bays has benefits which go far beyond the better health and fitness participants can enjoy by simply moving more. A team event helps improve employee engagement and interpersonal relationships, break down barriers and develop friendship and respect among your crew.
Jane Anderson is the Clinical Lead Mental Health for Workplace Health at Southern Cross Healthcare – and she’s convinced that teams are stronger when everyone gets their head in the game, together. In this article, Jane looks at five ways to achieve positive mental health with your work team and how this can be applied to taking part in Southern Cross Round the Bays!
When discussing mental health the Five Ways to Wellbeing are often mentioned. This model was created as part of the New Economics Foundation's (NEF) Foresight Project on Mental Capital and Wellbeing research. The New Zealand Mental Health Foundation has adopted this model to help people take a more proactive approach to their wellbeing. The five components are connect, take notice, keep learning, be active, and give. All five components are essential to how people can work well and effectively in their organisations.
Connect
Humans are relational beings, and connection is crucial for good mental health. Physical activity is a natural way to connect with others in your organisation. Exercising together provides a shared experience, creating opportunities for conversation, motivation, and mutual support. Connection with other colleagues also helps reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness, which are often linked to poor mental health and performance.
It’s also good to celebrate your team’s achievement in an event like Southern Cross Round the Bays -some hospitality options to celebrate at the end of the race can be found here: https://www.roundthebays.co.nz/hospitality.
Take Notice
Exercise provides an excellent opportunity to practice mindfulness, which is the act of being present in the moment. This type of mindfulness can help reduce feelings of anxiety and depression, as it shifts your attention away from worries about the future or regrets about the past. When you engage in exercise, like participating in Round the Bays, you can take time to notice your surroundings. Perhaps you'll enjoy the fresh air or the rhythm of your breath. These small moments of mindfulness can help clear your mind, calm your nervous system, and bring a sense of peace — all of which contribute to improved mental health. And, if you and your colleagues learn to be mindful together, there’s an increased acceptance of taking time to be present in the workplace.
Keep Learning
Physical activity also encourages personal growth and learning and can allow us to seek out new experiences, challenge ourselves, and try things we haven't done before. When you’re faced with challenges in the workplace these benefits can certainly come into play.
Exercise is a great way to learn new skills, all while improving your fitness which can increase self-esteem and resilience. Setting new goals — such as running a faster time or building endurance — helps people develop a growth mindset, contributing to a sense of progress and achievement, essential to healthy, sustainable organisations.
Be Active
Exercise can reduce the symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress – which can contribute to a positive work environment (and a happier home life). The physiological benefits of exercise are also significant. Exercise triggers the release of endorphins, oxytocin, and dopamine — chemicals that enhance mood and promote feelings of happiness. Regular exercise can boost mood, reduce anxiety, and improve sleep quality, which in turn improves overall mental health.
When your team participates in events like Southern Cross Round the Bays, you're not just improving physical fitness — you're also improving your collective emotional wellbeing. In addition to the mental health benefits of exercise itself, participating in a team event can boost feelings of accomplishment and joy, especially when you achieve personal goals and share the experience with others.
Give
Exercise can play a role in giving by providing opportunities to support others or get involved in volunteer work. Many community events like Round the Bays offer volunteer opportunities, whether it’s helping with event logistics, cheering on participants, or fundraising for a cause. Giving back to others not only helps the community but also provides emotional rewards for the giver. Acts of kindness and generosity can improve mood, foster a sense of purpose, and create meaningful connections. When we focus on others, we take the spotlight off our own concerns and can experience greater emotional fulfilment.
Your team can use Southern Cross Round the Bays to fundraise for causes close to your organisation’s heart – see here for details: https://www.roundthebays.co.nz/fundraising.
The Five Ways to Wellbeing offer a holistic approach to improving mental health, and exercise can play a key role in several of these areas. Through exercise, we can connect with others, take notice of the world around us, keep learning new skills, be active to boost our mood and mental resilience, and give to others by volunteering or supporting those around us. So, take the time to be active, connect with others, learn new things, be present in the moment, and give back. Above all be kind to yourself, notice what makes you feel good as this is different for each individual, and remember that your mental health and wellbeing matters – at work and in every other aspect of your life.
Jane Anderson
Jane is the Clinical Lead Mental Health for Workplace Health for Southern Cross Healthcare. She has a Master’s in counselling with a specification in couples and family therapy. She has worked in the mental health space for 20 years in various roles, counselling, advocacy, community programme development, teaching and management. She is originally from the United States but has been privileged to call New Zealand home for over 10 years. She believes that health and mental health are interconnected and is passionate about the idea that we need to embrace a holistic approach to support others and ourselves regarding our health, mental health and wellbeing. She enjoys being in nature, reading, gaming, spending time with friends and family, having a laugh and looking for the fun and deeper meanings in life.
To register for Southern Cross Round the Bays, follow the links below:
- Wellington – 16 Febuary
- Auckland – 2 March
- Christchurch – 30 March
This article contains generic evidence-based advice, however you may benefit from tailored advice to suit your particular circumstances based on your medical history.
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