Ryan Leader SPOR406

assessment 2- written assignment

Part A

On Monday the 7th of October we had our first lecture for the health and well being sector of the
course, we talked about models of wellbeing and what holistic health is and how it is incorporated
into modern and society and discussed different viewpoints throughout 1 the lecture in order to gain a
greater understanding of this. On the same day we also did orienteering. In my opinion we did this
so that we could develop our ability to work with others in a group and communicate and also in a
timed setting so that we were given an incentive to gain a better time than our peers and give us a
motivating factor to make the task enjoyable. The next day on the 8th of October we did Yoga I
personally found this particularly difficult as I struggle with flexibility and focus making the task quite
difficult for me to get the experience intended. We also learnt traditional Maori games and songs
and discussed how this was related to wellbeing.

My next steps going forward will be to try and learn more about the Maori concepts of wellbeing
and how this relates to me, and my concepts of wellbeing. I had always considered that wellbeing
was only made up of physical and emotional wellbeing, but I am coming to understand that it is
more complex than that. Durie’s “Te Whare Tapa Wha” model (1985) is particularly interesting as it
gives a strong representation of what it means3 to have holistic wellbeing. Comparing wellbeing to a
house is a strong picture to make in my head.

We then turned our attention to focusing on our group assignment which for me was how sleep
effects our mental and emotional well-being, I was pleased with how this went as I felt I delivered
the confidently and explain my points mentioned quite well. However the assignment was done all
individually as my presentation partner failed to contribute to the task or show up on the day of the
presentation, so I was forced to treat it as more of an individual presentation. This had effects on my
wellbeing. I felt an added weight of pressure as I could not share the workload in preparing the
presentation, and no longer had anyone to share in the presenting of our work, meaning I would
have to do it alone, which is a daunting task. I also felt a sense of anger and upset at the fact that I
thought that I was being abandoned, and was worried that my presentation would be of a lesser
standard having only one person work on it. This made me determined to work harder to make sure
my presentation was of a good standard. My mental and emotional wellbeing were2 tested by this
process, and leaves me slightly worried for other group assignments I might have.

My next steps would include making a solid and agreed plan with other group members to keep
work on track, as well as seeking advice from relevant people when I need it to help solve this issue
(Mental Health Foundation, 2018). By doing this, I can help my emotional wellbeing by ensuring that
I have support and people who can help me (Mental Health Foundation, 2018).
 4
The next week on the 21st of October we had Bi-cultural day where we started off the day by going
to tree adventures which is an obstacle course in trees at various heights I struggled with this at first
as it been a while since I had last done something like this, even though I knew it was safe (Tree
Adventures, 2019) there was still the fear of heights and overcoming the obstacles that got In the
way, after taking my time I was able to complete the course I attempted which gave me the
confidence to try another course shortly after, however I was unable to finish this one due to time
constraints. From doing this I gained confidence and felt more comfortable as time went on, I
discovered that the course is more of a mindset then anything else and once I was able to overcome
that then it became easier. This reminds me of the idea of the growth mindset, related to emotional 5

and mental wellbeing, being resilient and open enough to give new challenges and experiences a go
(The Education Hub, n.d.).

We then went to the marae at the AUT city campus which I enjoyed but struggled with as Maori is
not a language I speak regularly, I also found it quite difficult to describe myself in Maori and get the
timing for the singing and actions for the songs at the same time I was often out of time with the
rest of the group or used the wrong actions. I did however feel like it was a worthwhile experience
to embrace 6 myself in the culture and learn these things in order to get a feel for what other cultures
are like.

My next steps will be to continue to try and use more Maori language and culture in the things that I
do. This will help me to become better connected to my country and people within it (Smith &
Andersen, 2019). At the moment, I might be using Te Reo in a tokenistic way, but perhaps I can
practice my skills and learn some more, which will help me out in the future as another skill that I
have. I also want to keep pushing myself to complete challenges like I experienced at tree
adventures. Challenges like this have benefit to wellbeing as you get a boost of adrenalin and a
sense of accomplishment when you complete them, as achieving goals is thought to increase
wellbeing over time. Accomplishment contributes to our wellbeing when we are able to look back on
our lives with a sense of achievement and say ‘I did it, and I did it well’ (Seligman, (2012) in South
Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (2019)
Part B

Diary reflection

8
th
On Saturday the 12 of October, I completed a personal time use diary. I chose to do this on the
weekend as I tend to be more active and have a greater variety of activities on these days. This was a
fairly typical day for me, as I have a number of commitments that regularly occur on Saturdays.
Saturday is also the day in which I find most of my leisure activities occur, as my friends are available
during these times. In terms of SMART goals I felt that a reasonable goal to achieve would be to go
to the gym for 30-minutes to an hour each day during the week. The nutrition goal was to eat
healthier and limit the amount of “junk” food I have during the course of day, lower than levels
recommend in Brissette (2018) of less than 20% of total daily food intake, I felt satisfied with how I
was able to spent my time for the day the diary was recorded as I felt satisfied with how I was able
to spent my time for the day the diary was recorded as I was able to fulfill my goal of getting 30
minutes of exercise, although it did not come in the form of going to the gym as I had7 originally
stated, instead I was active in helping to lift waste and remove trees from the garden. On this day I
also watched sport which also a regular occurrence for me and something that I enjoy to do, In the
evening I met up with friends to watch the rugby world cup and discuss things with them. This was a
good benefit to my mental and emotional wellbeing, as I enjoy connecting with friends, as well as
sharing my knowledge and insights about sport. This connectedness I believe helps me to strengthen
the ideas of Durie’s “Te Whare Tapa Wha” model (1985), especially taha hinengano and taha
Whanau. However, I wonder whether the consumption of alcohol at low levels, less than 2 standard
drinks according to the Ministry of Health (2019) during these times with friends there is a benefit to
my physical wellbeing. I certainly I am not drinking more than the recommended levels, but come to
find that any alcohol drinking can have a negative effect of physical wellbeing, even when emotional
and mental wellbeing is being improved (Ministry of Health, 2019).

In conclusion I feel as if the health and well being sector of the sport and recreation certificate has
helped me to realise things in terms of well-being that I can use and apply to my everyday life going
forward in order to better myself and improve on small things on a day to day basis, I feel as if I have
gained benefits from this course as a whole that I wouldn’t have got in the working environment
that I was in before starting the course in July, I have enjoyed my time doing the certificate and are
looking forward to carrying on and doing the bachelor next year.
References
Brissette, C. (2018, March 2). How much junk food can you 'get away with' and still be healthy?
Retrieved from Stuff: https://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/well-good/teach-
me/101912532/how-much-junk-food-can-you-get-away-with-and-still-be-healthy

Mental Health Foundation. (2018). Five Ways to Wellbeing for Work. Retrieved from Mental Health
Foundation: https://www.mentalhealth.org.nz/assets/5-ways-toolkit/Five-Ways-to-
Wellbeing-at-Work-2018.pdf

Ministry of Health. (2019, January 15). Alcohol. Retrieved from Ministry of Health:
https://www.health.govt.nz/your-health/healthy-living/addictions/alcohol-and-drug-
abuse/alcohol

Smith, S., & Andersen, G. (2019, September 17). Why learning te reo Māori is important. Retrieved
from Stuff: https://www.stuff.co.nz/opinion/115818497/why-learing-te-reo-maori-is-
important

South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute. (2019). PERMA- Accomplishment. Retrieved
from South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute- The Wellbeing and Resilience
Centre: https://www.wellbeingandresilience.com/accomplishment

The Education Hub. (n.d.). How to help students develop a ‘growth mindset’. Retrieved from The
Education Hub: https://theeducationhub.org.nz/how-to-help-students-develop-a-growth-
mindset/
9
Tree Adventures. (2019). Safety. Retrieved from Tree Adventures:
https://treeadventures.co.nz/safety/
Comment Summary
Page 1
1. Are you sure? I think it was yoga on Monday 7th
2. Lovely reflection, thank you.
3. Excellent, but perhaps you could explain what the four aspects are?
Page 2
4. What about week 12?
5. Excellent application of knowledge
6. Another lovely reflection
Page 3
7. Excellent acknowledgement of physical activity
8. Where is it?!
Page 4
9. Excellent