Media Release from Healthy Christchurch

Five actions scientifically proven to increase wellbeing will come to life in October in what will be a world first.

The Wellbeing Game has been designed and built in Canterbury by Healthy Christchurch and the Mental Health Foundation. The Game runs from October 8 to November 9 and is all about capturing what you do in real life.

Ciaran Fox from the Mental Health Foundation says that the Game is a world-first innovation based on research undertaken by the New Economics Foundation (NEF) for the British government's Foresight Project.

"The research was drawn from the inter-disciplinary work of more than 400 scientists from across the world. It showed there are five simple actions you can incorporate into your everyday life that actually improve your health and wellbeing," Ciaran says.

The 'five winning ways' are connecting, taking notice, giving, keep learning and being active.

To play the Wellbeing Game players keep track of the amount of time they spend on each of the five actions. They then enter the time they spend on each action at www.thewellbeinggame.org.nz

"The game is easy, fun and open to everyone.  You can play as an individual or form a team and at any time you can check out the online leader board to see how you're performing," Ciaran says.

"Many of the things we enjoy already are good for us - but we are often so busy that we don't always make time for them. The Wellbeing Game provides a way to capture the things that keep us well."

Michelle Whitaker from Healthy Christchurch says the Game has been piloted in three places over the last year and the evaluation showed players enjoyed becoming more mindful of their mental and physical wellbeing. 

"Playing the Game makes you more aware of what good things you are already doing, how easy it is to tweak your usual activities to get more out of them, and encourages us to embrace new opportunities, Michelle says.

"After two challenging years the Game provides Cantabrian's with a golden opportunity to focus on the things that improve happiness and wellbeing."

Michelle says taking part and improving your wellbeing is the major prize, but there are also prizes for the best team and individual.

To find out more go to www.thewellbeinggame.org.nz