Self Care - The Coromandel Way
By Helinor Stead
The good folks at @iamhope_nz had below to share on instagram last week and I’ve gotta say, it hit different. Whilst I Am Hope predominantly focuses on youth and community support, their instagram account and events like Gumboot Friday can inspire us all.
You see, Kiwis are born nomads. Every single one of us can claim migration as part of our personal history and the legacy lives on in our collective passion for exploring. But whilst our wings are currently clipped it is essential we look after our mental health at home and get through this wild time as unscathed as possible. With the prompts found on @iamhope_nz in mind I hope you take as much nourishment and inspiration from the list below as we have.
*breathe deeply - one of the easiest ways to reset is taking a few deep, enriching breaths. Here’s the recipe du jour. Pay attention to the sounds around you for a few moments, acknowledge and let them go. Close your eyes, breathe in through your nose, fill your lungs, pause and exhale gently through your mouth. Inhale the calm tranquility. Exhale the noise. Five breaths is the perfect reset and a great start to your meditation practice. When I have time I like to wander down to my local beach, hustle up a few stairs and settle down on Pete’s Seat. Pete was an interesting character, immensely kind and super fond of the ocean. A well-placed bench seat is easy to find anywhere on the Coromandel and often has the added bonus of a stunning view to take your breath away.
*find moments of stillness - in the most simple of ways. Slow the mental mess down enough to notice a thing of beauty and pause to appreciate it. Maybe you’re quietly standing in the kitchen, waiting for the jug to boil, chewing on a square of Vogel’s. You might notice the unique flavour of mānuka honey mingled with salty butter, all sticky on your fingers. Maybe you stop mid-stride to take in the melody of a tui, before you hear that distinct flurry of wings. Maybe it’s the fleeting chill of a winter breeze on your cheek as you’re walking the legs off small/fur children that’s enough to bring you back to yourself. Find the moment and feel the calm.
*walk in nature - there are spectacular walks the whole country over and our Peninsula is no exception. You’re spoilt for choice whether you want a hill to get the heart rate going, a beach to saunter along or the deep, lush ngahere in which to soothe your soul... the Coromandel has it all. A particular favourite is the short track from Te Karo Bay (Sailor’s Grave) over to Otara. The nīkau groves and adolescent kauri are stunning and if you’re lucky you might spy some dolphins cruising past from one of the lookouts.
*drink water - humans are about 60% water; it’s absolutely essential to our functioning well. According to healthline.com dehydration can effect our ability to moderate body temp, reduce motivation and increase fatigue! If you’re passing through Tairua you’ll have the chance to fill your water bottle at ‘The Shop’ where owner Keli Jones has installed a filtered water faucet outside the store. ‘I wanted to encourage people to connect with my shop in a way that doesn’t involve commerce. I’m passionate about drinking clean water and giving back to the community; it’s a normal thing to see around Hawai’i and an aspect of my culture I wanted to share here in Tairua. Everybody should have access to beautiful clean water.’ Drink up!
*eat well - there are many incredible cafes and restaurants throughout the Peninsula to fill your belly but perhaps the most vital aspect of eating is WHO you are eating with! Dr Louise Schofield of PreKure encourages, ‘Food is not just about nourishing the body but also about nourishing your life through connecting with others. Other people matter. Eating together as whānau or friends means we eat slower, we eat better and we enjoy our food more.’ In my extended family we devised ‘beach bowls’. That is, we each bring our dinner in a bowl to the beach, hang out on the nominated bench seat or picnic table and share a meal. It may only be a couple of us or sometimes a crew including friends, kids and dogs. Body, mind & soul. Nourish and reap the rewards.