Physical wellbeing

If you’ve recently moved out of home, think about enrolling with a local doctor, also known as a GP (general practitioner). You can search for a local doctor (GP) at Healthpoint, or by calling Healthline on 0800 611 116.  

It’s free to enrol. The main benefit of doing this is paying a lower fee if you ever need to see a doctor. The GP you are enrolled with will hold on to your medical records, which you can request to access whenever you need them. 

If you’re studying at a university or polytechnic, there’s usually health centres onsite that provide medical services to students at a lower cost. 

A Community Services Card can help you and your whānau with some healthcare costs, such as GP visits and prescriptions. Get more information and find out if you’re eligible on the Work and Income website. 

If you need health advice and information, you can call Healthline anytime for free at 0800 611 116. Healthline is staffed by experienced nurses, paramedics, and health advisors and they can give you instructions on what to do if you notice something wrong. 

In the case of an emergency, call 111. 

Publicly funded dental care is only available up until your 18th birthday. This means that you’ll have to pay for private care after your turn 18. In some cases, services are partially funded, such as if you have a Community Services Card or it’s a claim via ACC. 

If you’re pregnant or taking care of a child, you can find important information on support services, advice, and resources on the Ministry of Health website. Information on the health and wellbeing of children can also be found on the Kids Health website, the Plunket website, or Plunket Line on 0800 933 922. 

You can find information on disability support services, advice and resources on the Whaikaha (Ministry of Disabled People) website.

There are many ways you can get some regular exercise, such as playing sports, working in a physical job, or walking around your neighbourhood. If you’re not used to physical exercise, start small. Maybe walk to a bus stop that’s further away than the one you’d usually wait at. Think of ways to that can motivate you, such as using an app that tracks your step counts. You might also consider joining a gym or taking on a programme like Outward Bound or Spirit of Adventure, both of which offer scholarships

Make sure that you’re getting enough rest daily. If you’re always feeling really worn out every time you wake up or are spending days not functioning well, there’s a sign that you may have to make some changes. The Small Steps website provides a quiz with tips on how to get a better sleep. 

Try to have nutritionally balanced meals if you have control over them. Get to know what a balanced diet looks like regardless of your dietary requirements. This means getting enough of the nutrients that your body needs. Find out more on the Ministry of Health website.  

There are different ways to eat healthier but still ensure that you’re enjoying your meals. Some low-cost ways include: 

• bulk shopping 
• going to local fruit and veg market 
• planning your grocery shop based on weekly specials 
• planning meals based on what produce is in season 
• checking out community gardens 
• sharing cooking responsibilities with others in your household 
• going to your local foodbank.

You can also prepare meals in advance to save time and avoid eating out. Make the most of your ingredients: think of what products you can reuse for different meals or what items can be saved for later by freezing them. 

It’s also a good idea to learn how to read food labels to know exactly what you’re eating. Health Navigator has a useful guide for this.