Wellbeing News

Nathan Brock

College Wellbeing Coordinator

Last week some of the team headed down to Anglesea Beach to kick start our “Changing Tides” Surf Program for term 1.  We are partnering again this year with Ocean Mind, a local not-for-profit organisation, to deliver a 6-week wellbeing surf program – and some of our Wexford and Tallis Campus students were fortunate enough to get in the water this term.

The Changing Tides wellbeing program has been designed with NBC to support students to personally grow, to build relationships with other students and program mentors, and to learn the art of surfing.    There is lots of evidence that tells us that we can improve our wellbeing by participating in a surfing based program like Changing Tides, and our very own Hendy Campus Wellbeing Coordinator, Cameron Drake, published a research paper in 2021 sharing the benefits to overall health and wellbeing.

Of course, surfing is not everybody’s idea of fun – and for some of us, the idea of donning a wetsuit and swimming in the ocean might be downright scary.  But there are lots of benefits to be had from getting outdoors and enjoying the natural environment... whether you are going for a walk, hiking, bird watching or swimming, these activities all have positive impacts on our physical and mental health.

Mind (UK based mental health organisation) found that being outdoors benefits us in 10 key ways: 

• improve your mood.
• reduce feelings of stress or anger
• help you take time out and feel more relaxed
• improve your physical health.
• improve your confidence and self-esteem
• help you be more active
• help you meet and get to know new people.
• connect you to your local community.
• reduce loneliness
• help you feel more connected to nature.

While the weather is still warm-ish, we encourage you to get outside and enjoy the benefits!