Tag: travel

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Wellness Lessons from New Zealand : Part Seven

The Awe and Healing Power of Nature – Milford Sound

Our cruise journey through Fiordland National Park and Milford Sound was unforgettable. Magnificent mountains and towering waterfalls, still water reflecting an incredible landscape. Carved by ancient glaciers, it features sheer rock cliffs rising straight out of deep dark water.

And Milford Sound is one of the wettest places on Earth, though when I was there we had a beautiful day of sunshine. Most days, the rain brings alive thousands of waterfalls.

Here’s the thing…some places are so naturally beautiful that words and pictures are really not enough.

Experiences of awe, when we encounter something vast and beautiful in nature, have been shown in research to benefit mental wellbeing.

Awe can:

  • enhance emotional wellbeing
  • reduce stress
  • increase feelings of connection
  • expand perspective

Sailing through places like Milford Sound reminds us how extraordinary our world is.
It widens our perspective and takes the focus of ourselves. Sometimes simply pausing to appreciate that natural beauty can be deeply restorative.

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Wellness Lessons from New Zealand : Part Six

Docking in Port Chalmers, it was interesting to see the timber which New Zealand exports. Port Chalmers is also the cruise gateway to historical Dunedin!

On our whirlwind tour of Dunedin, known as the “Edinburgh of the South,” first stop is the iconic Railway Station known for its grand gothic architecture.

Then there were amazing views from Unity Park which features the The Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd Memorial. A bronze bust of the famous American polar explorer on a black Norwegian marble pedestal, honoring his historic 1928 departure from Dunedin for his first Antarctic expedition.

Our final destination was the iconic Baldwin Street, the steepest residential street in the world.

Walking up that steep hill certainly gives you perspective!

Life sometimes feels like that, with steep climbs, challenging moments, and the occasional need to stop and catch your breath.

But reaching the top often brings a new inspiring view. Health and personal wellbeing are similar.

Progress often happens step by step with small efforts adding up over time. Sometimes the most important thing is simply to keep moving forward.

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Wellness Lessons from New Zealand : Part Five

Next we visit Christchurch, the largest city in the South Island and also known as New Zealand’s Garden City.

The Christchurch Gondola was a fun way to start and see spectacular panoramic views of the city, Lyttelton Harbour, the Pacific Ocean and beyond!

Travelling then down into Christchurch, it was deeply moving to see that the city is still rebuilding after the devastating earthquakes that dramatically changed so many lives in 2010 and 2011.

Seeing the strength and resilience of the community was inspiring.

Despite unimaginable challenges, the people of Christchurch continue rebuilding their city with determination and creativity.

Resilience is something we also talk about often in health and wellbeing.

The human nervous system is remarkably adaptable.

Even after difficult experiences, with the right support, people can release their pain and stress, and then regain balance, strength and emotional stability. 

For the past 26 years, that is what I love to do, assist people in clinic and online (from all over Australia in the comfort of their own home).

Because time is precious, and life has taught me that you don’t want to waste it struggling or in pain.

Visiting Christchurch and seeing some of the rebuild was a powerful reminder to never give up and that recovery is possible.