Hello everyone, and Ngā mihi o Matariki, te tau hou Māori! I hope you all had a fantastic Matariki. I spent my Matariki eating good food with good friends.

It’s hard to believe I have been working with CCIS for over six weeks now. It has been such a privilege to get to know some of you and walk with you on your wellness journey, and I look forward to getting to know more of you as time goes on. 

One thing I have been discussing with my members is pacing. It is important to remember that emotional and mental stress can be just as tiring, if not more so, than physical stress. If you know you have a stressful or emotional event coming up, such as a counselling session, a stressful work or family situation, or dealing with WINZ, please remember to give yourself time to rest just as you would for physical exertion. 

As we head into the second half of winter, it might be worth checking on your Vitamin D levels. Vitamin D helps to strengthen the immune system, boosts mood by lifting serotonin levels, reduces brain inflammation, and helps to lower blood pressure. It is possible to take too much Vitamin D, however, so make sure to check your levels first.  

We have a few new social groups starting up: there is now a coffee catch up for new members, and one for long-time members of CCIS support. There is also a new “After Work” Group for those who are unable to make the other social groups due to work, study and other commitments. 

I hope to see some of you at these groups! And I wish you all a warm and well August. 

Marika