The ASB Auckland Marathon on Sunday, 20 October 2019 is an annual Festival of Events with a range of distances so everyone can participate - including the ASB Marathon, Half Marathon, 11K Traverse, Heart Foundation 5K Challenge and the Kids Marathon.

​The Full and Half Marathon events start in Devonport, goes over Auckland's Harbour Bridge and finishes at Victoria Park near the CBD. 
With the event drawing closer, we thought it'd be useful to list 5 fantastic reasons why you should consider running the marathon this year.


GET FIT
Let's start with the most obvious reason. Training to run 21.1 km (half marathon) will increase your body's endurance and fitness. It'll help strengthen your heart, improve your blood circulation, keep your cholesterol at healthy rates and make your muscles stronger.

You'll also notice yourself getting better sleep as your body craves rest - it needs to repair itself. You'll find yourself sleeping a lot more soundly and heading to bed at earlier times.

FOR YOUR MIND 
Research suggests that long runs allow better control of your mental fortitude as your mind develops a coping mechanism to deal with long distance running.

It'll reduce stress as you are able to step out and clear your head. It will keep you motivated, inspired and change the way you view the world; “the person who starts a marathon is not the same person who finishes a marathon.”

Once you have completed a marathon you'll forever know that you have the mental and physical strength to dig deep and persevere; qualities that will help you succeed with every day life.

MAKE NEW FRIENDS
The running community is amazingly supportive, welcoming and diverse. Once you make the commitment to participate in this year's marathon, reach out to your local running club. Many fellow marathon runners in and around your community welcome newcomers with open arms. 

Training for a marathon with friends is always an easier way to stay motivated as well as build upon existing relationships. It's not hard to bond when you're running over 20 kms together!

Click here if you'd like to connect to one of New Zealand's many running community platforms.

FOR THE FUN
Apart from physical, mental and social benefits you'll gain from running, you can't forget about the amount fun you'll experience.

The ASB Marathon takes you on one of the most scenic routes to view the beautiful city of Tāmaki Makaurau. Maybe you'll see a part of the city you've never been to or scope out new local eateries you'd like to try out. Not to mention the the amazing sunrise you'll get to see when you begin your epic 20 km journey.

There is nothing more rewarding than accomplishing your goal and crossing that finish line. You will be a marathon finisher and will always be one - a lifetime of bragging rights that no one can ever take away from you.

As well as a sense of mental accomplishment, you'll also receive a physical reward - a shiny new medal! And if you train hard enough, the top 5 runners in each category will also win a cash prize.

FOR THE CAUSE
Running for something that's bigger than you is an amazing way to stay motivated to keep training, meet others to train with, and make your race even more meaningful.

Running for Youthline means directly supporting youth mental wellness in New Zealand. Support us to support young people, and save lives.

There are 55,000 steps in a marathon and a story behind every one of them.

Among the thousands taking part in this year’s gruelling ASB Auckland Marathon is a group of extraordinary people. 

Miffy is just one of the awesome Youthline Marathon team, running for us again this year to make a difference for young people all around New Zealand.

“I was a young person who struggled in silence - it’s important for people and especially young people to know that Youthline exists and is there to help young people when they need it.”

“I really want to be the person that I needed when I was struggling and be that person I really needed in my life when I was struggling at that  stage of my life, I want to be that for other young people and Youthline gives me the chance to do that,” Miffy says. 
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She knows first-hand the work that Youthline does every day in communities across NZ as she has been a counsellor on the Helpline, which operates 24/7 and is Youthline’s flagship service, since 2014. She now has 500 hours of solo counselling under her belt.

“I know how worthy the work that Youthline does in the community is, and I want to see that to continue and that’s why I’m  running for Youthline this year. I’m taking part in the half marathon, which is 21km and that scares the crap out of me."

One of the challenging things about training has been getting going, she adds.  “It’s challenging physically but I see it as a mental challenge and I enjoy overcoming mental challenges.”  

Running is a time to focus on myself and she enjoys the ‘high’ that comes from doing physical activity. It’s a good thing for her physical health and wellbeing and has become part of her own self care plan, she adds. Running helps me to create the time and space she needs, to be able to do the emotional work she does every day on the Helpline.
Miffy’s favourite running track at the moment is Landslide by Fleetwood Mac, "it’s quite emotional and calming at the same time," she says.

"I have been involved with Youthline for a long time and one of my learnings has been about really connecting with myself and feeling strong in my convictions and about why I doing this and my hope is by sharing my story with my friends and family."

If Miffy had the chance, she would tell every young person one simple thing: “you’re never alone, even if it feels like you are, ask for help because there are so many people who are there and want to help and are able to support you.

If you'd like to support her run for #TeamYouthline, you can do so here.

A trip to Zambia was Lara Watson’s first foray into volunteering. She had just turned 18 and chose to defer university for a year to teach children in Zambia.

​“I’d always wanted to do my bit to make the world a better place. I’m a Christian so serving others, helping people thrive and spreading love is a big part of my faith.”

She returned from Zambia and began studying psychology at Canterbury University. Having long aspired to be a buddy for Kidsline, she was excited to discover Youthline at the Student Volunteer Expo and for the last two years has been volunteering as a solo phone counsellor and mentor to new trainees.

“Lara throws herself into anything extra that’s going - staffing our outreach stalls, coming to every counselling skills extension training, developing training resources, and representing us at a Youth Workers hui”, says Youthline Central South Island Manager Trystan Swain.

Now 21, Lara’s dream is to one day become a Clinical Psychologist and she says Youthline is helping to pave that path.

“It’s a very competitive field to get into but Youthline has given me so much experience. It’s made me realise that I want it even more.”

That experience was tested on 15 March 2019 when two mosques in Christchurch came under terrorist attack during Friday prayer.

“I was booked in for a shift that night, and my trainee and I were the only volunteers rostered on across New Zealand. We cancelled our shift as we didn't feel safe going into the office across town, and were understandably emotional. I asked our centre manager to contact the other managers across NZ to try to rally up some volunteers from other cities, and in a matter of an hour or so the roster was full right up until we closed our regular service at midnight! It amazed me the level of support I felt from other Youthliners.”

Lara wants young people to know that that level of support is there for them too.

“We actually do want to talk to you and listen to you. It can seem a bit anonymous and weird calling into a helpline but we’re not robots, we’re people. I feel so honoured when someone tells me they haven’t told anyone else or share their stories and experiences that carry so much hurt. It’s so brave.”

One of the most rewarding moments of Lara’s Youthline career was making her first suicide intervention, not long after going solo.

“He said he wanted to be safe, but didn’t know how. He shared a lot of his emotions with me and revealed his plans to end his life. He called in with his husband so I just kept affirming that, that he really cared about his husband and his husband cared about him. We were able to make a new plan for them to drive to the nearest A&E. They were both so grateful to me for keeping him safe.”

Lara says Youthline has taught her how to listen.

“When you think about counselling you might think it’s someone telling you what to do and giving you advice. But being a good counsellor is actually just being alongside someone and listening to them. Not a wise guide, but a listener, a friend. This is something I’ve taken into my own relationships.”

​If you'd like to volunteer with us, click here to get started!

Mac Jordan is a self-described altruist.

​“My main interest in volunteering is that there is no ulterior motive. For me, it’s about providing value. The act in itself is rewarding enough. Stopping someone from ending their life is a very powerful thing to do.”

The 23 year old Psychology and Fine Arts Honours student has volunteered for Youthline Auckland Central for the last 2 and a half years. He recently joined the facilitator team and mentors every week, providing support and feedback for trainees on the helpline.

It’s been hugely rewarding to be able to strengthen others, provide support so they can grow, and deliver feedback in a way that further facilitates that growth.”

Mac says that growth is vital to meeting demand and providing excellent service.  

“Youth suicide rates in New Zealand are absurd, particularly among Maori and Pasifika. Based on personal experience clients do seem to respond really well to us.”

But, he says, having enough volunteers is a constant challenge. Youthline and the volunteer sector in general need more people willing to put their hand up.

“The tricky thing about Mental Health is that it’s naturally uncomfortable. You’re constantly out of your comfort zone. It’s like being a firefighter sitting in your truck waiting for a fire. And it can make you feel anxious.”

And that’s why self care, and good mentoring is vital.

“We need to have enough volunteers, facilitators and mentors to ensure we continue to provide a good service. Volunteering for a Helpline can be intimidating, but the training process is extensive and the Youthline community are incredibly supportive. Youthline is an environment for growth and challenge is opportunity.”

​​If you'd like to volunteer with us, click here to get started!

This week is National Volunteer Week 2019. It celebrates the “collective contribution of the 1.2 million volunteers who enrich Aotearoa New Zealand”. 

Hundreds of volunteers across New Zealand help make Youthline what it is. They give their time in the office, at events, on our Governance Boards, and through our Youth Advisory Groups. 

250 of those volunteers give their time, energy and best listening ears to Youthline as Helpline Counsellors and for that we are super proud and thankful! We know that without them, there would be no Youthline.  

Last year our volunteers collectively spent 12,137 hours in our Hubs standing alongside young Kiwis, reflecting, affirming and helping them grow. 

“More than 60% of our Helpline is staffed by volunteers, by members of our community who want to give their time to connect with young people when they need it most, it absolutely blows me away. National Volunteer Week is always a time for me to pause and reflect on how lucky we are as an organisation, and as communities, that we are surrounded by such giving individuals,” says Youthline CEO Shae Ronald. 

To mark the occasion we have chosen to celebrate four outstanding volunteers from around the country.

​A trip to Zambia was Lara Watson’s first foray into volunteering. She had just turned 18 and chose to defer university for a year to teach children in Zambia.

Lara volunteers for Youthline in Christchurch. 

“Lara throws herself into anything extra that’s going - staffing our outreach stalls, coming to every counselling skills extension training, developing training resources, and representing us at a Youth Workers hui”, says Youthline Central South Island Manager Trystan Swain.

Now 21, Lara’s dream is to one day become a Clinical Psychologist and she says Youthline is helping to pave that path.

“It’s a very competitive field to get into but Youthline has given me so much experience. It’s made me realise that I want it even more.”

That experience was tested on 15 March 2019 when two mosques in Christchurch came under terrorist attack during Friday prayer. 

“I was booked in for a shift that night, and my trainee and I were the only volunteers rostered on across New Zealand. We cancelled our shift as we didn't feel safe going into the office across town, and were understandably emotional. I asked our centre manager to contact the other managers across NZ to try to rally up some volunteers from other cities, and in a matter of an hour or so the roster was full right up until we closed our regular service at midnight! It amazed me the level of support I felt from other Youthliners.”

Lara wants young people to know that that level of support is there for them too.

​Youthline volunteer Linda Vernon knows how it feels to be unhappy.

“In my late teens and early 20s I had a really difficult time with my mental health, and struggled with depression and anxiety. Through my recovery I had this idea of giving service to my community - that it would be beneficial for me and my wellbeing. And I liked the idea of counselling and helping people.”

But although Linda knew Youthline was there, she had never used the helpline herself.

“I think because of the kind of space I was in, I felt like no one would understand me. I was scared to reach out, like a lot of young people - because they don’t know what to expect or they think they’re going to be told what to do or told that they’re crazy. I wish that I had known how client centred Youthline is. We don’t tell people who contact us what to do or how to live their lives or how they should feel, we’re actually there for them.”

​Volunteering is in Marea Nicolle’s blood.

Her grandparents volunteered for Lifeline in Invercargill in the 1980s and her parents, both teachers, regularly cared for foster children alongside three of their own.

The 37 year old learning and development coach has been volunteering for Youthline since she was 21, and is Youthline Wellington’s longest serving Group Supervisor.

“I’d heard great things about the organisation and was passionate about supporting young people and making a difference. I felt like there was something missing in my life. I wanted to be part of a community.”

And Marea says that’s exactly what Youthline is. 

​Mac Jordan is a self-described altruist.

“My main interest in volunteering is that there is no ulterior motive. For me, it’s about providing value. The act in itself is rewarding enough. Stopping someone from ending their life is a very powerful thing to do.”
 
The 23 year old Psychology and Fine Arts Honours student has volunteered for Youthline Auckland Central for the last 2 and a half years. He recently joined the facilitator team and mentors every week, providing support and feedback for trainees on the helpline.

It’s been hugely rewarding to be able to strengthen others, provide support so they can grow, and deliver feedback in a way that further facilitates that growth.”

Mac says that growth is vital to meeting demand and providing excellent service.  

“Youth suicide rates in New Zealand are absurd, particularly among Maori and Pasifika. Based on personal experience clients do seem to respond really well to us.”

Mindfulness is about being present and aware of the here and now. Too often in life we’re busy focusing on the future or worrying about the past. Mindfulness pulls us back to the present and reminds us that we are valued and loved.

People who practice mindfulness on a regular basis are happier, healthier, and more successful in life. Try these simple mindfulness techniques today and experience the difference for yourself.

A self-compassion pause

In this exercise, you sit somewhere quiet and take a few deep breaths. You decide whether you will focus on awareness of your heart, your body, or your thoughts. You acknowledge that awareness will help you to move forward with compassion. You hit pause on your thoughts and movements, and take time to notice your feelings as you experience them. If a thought comes to you, just acknowledge it, and wave it away.

Next, place your hand over your heart, take a few deep breaths, acknowledge your suffering and painful feelings as you experience them. Say to yourself. “This is what suffering (pain/hurt) feels like. It is part of being human. I accept myself and love myself just as I am.”

Five-sense exercise

You can perform the five-senses exercise quickly whenever you need a mindfulness boost. It’s about experiencing the world with all your senses.

Start by taking a few deep breaths and bringing your attention to the world around you. Notice five things you can see around you. Try to choose things you wouldn’t normally notice – a pattern on a tile, a shadow against the building, etc.

Next, notice four things you can feel – wind on your skin, hard floor beneath your feet, texture of your clothing, etc. Then, do three things you can hear, two things you can smell, and one thing you can taste. While you do this exercise, continue to breathe deeply. By the time you finish, you will be in a mindful state.

The three-minute mindfulness

This is another quick exercise you can do to bring your focus to the here and now. It’s great if you have a busy mind and struggle to focus during meditation.

If you have a timer on your mobile phone, set it to alert you at one-minute intervals for three minutes. For the first minute, ask yourself the question, “what am I doing right now?” Focus on your feelings and sensations in your body, as well as the thoughts that come up. Give words and phrases to your feelings and thoughts.

In the second minute, focus on your breathing. Take deep breaths into your diaphragm, and release.

During the third minute, expand your attention from your breath out through your whole body. Focus on how breathing feels in different parts of your body. Observe thoughts as they pop up and disappear, bringing back your focus on your body.

Find more mindfulness exercises on Positive Psychology.
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Have you tried mindfulness exercise or meditation? What benefits have you noticed?

Practicing gratitude is one way you can lead a happy and content life. By reflecting on what you’re grateful for, you focus on what’s good, instead of dwelling on things that upset you.

A gratitude journal is a book or file where you write down what you’re grateful for. Writing in your gratitude journal can help relieve stress, promote calmness and clarity of thought, and help you deal with depression and anxiety.

Everyone’s gratitude journal is different, and you’re free to create yours however you like. Here are some tips to help you get started.

Choose a journal

There are so many cool journals and books around, you can hunt out one that feels good to you. Your journal should reflect your personality and have the pages set out the way you prefer. You can choose lined pages, blank pages, or even specific gratitude journals with pages laid out for creating lists.

You may also like to use embellishments like coloured pens, stickers, stamps, or ribbon. Anything that makes you feel good is allowed. Alternatively, if you aren’t into paper, you could just open a new file on your computer to use, or even turn your social media account into your gratitude journal.

Set aside time for writing

Make your journal a daily practice by setting aside a block of time to jot down things you’re grateful for. First thing in the morning is a great time, because those good thoughts are in your head all day. Last thing before bed is good, too, as it gives you something pleasant to think about as you drift off to sleep.

Set a daily alarm, and make your journal a habit. You only need 10 minutes – enough time to pull out your book and jot down a short list or sketch. Keep your book in the place where you’ll be stopping, with a pen handy, so you have all your tools ready to go.

Use a prompt

At first, you may stare at the page and struggle to think of what to write. Use these prompts as a way to guide you. Change up your prompts until you settle into a routine that works for you. After a while you may find you don’t need a prompt, or that you use the same one every day.

• Write about someone who did something nice for you and how it made you feel.
• Remember a moment that made you truly grateful.
• List five things you are grateful for right now.
• Think about an object that makes you happy. Who else has worked to make that object come to life (the manufacturer, the shop assistant, etc).
• Write a thank you note to someone important in your life.
• Write a thank you note to yourself.
• List 10 things you love about yourself.
• List three people who’ve helped you through tough times in your life.
• Write about a character from a book / TV show who makes you smile.
• Remember a mistake you made. Ask yourself what you learned from it.
• Describe something you’re looking forward to.
• Write about the last time you laughed so hard you cried.
• Describe a memory, and why it makes you feel grateful.

Figure out what works for you

Your gratitude journal is personal, so you can use it however you like. There are no rules, so enjoy exploring your interests and personality between its pages. You don’t have to limit yourself to writing – draw pictures, add photographs or collages, dictate your gratitude journal to a friend.

Check in with yourself regularly during your journaling time and ask yourself, “how do I feel?” “Is this making me happy?” Notice when your happiness improves and when you grow more confident. Making note of these changes helps to strengthen them.

If you'd like some more tips, ideas and apps for your journal, check out this link: 
https://positivepsychologyprogram.com/gratitude-journal/

​Have you tried writing a gratitude journal? What kinds of things do you like to include?

A ‘mindset’ is a belief that illustrates how we approach a task or challenge. Psychologists often speak about a ‘fixed’ mindset and a ‘growth’ mindset to differentiate two concepts.

People with a fixed mindset believe talents and abilities are fixed. You’re either good at something, or you’re not. In contrast, those with a growth mindset believe they can develop skills and abilities and constantly change and improve.

Challenging your fixed mindset takes courage and tenacity. Here’s how you can demolish your fixed patterns and approach challenges in a new way.

Change the script

Your fixed mindset has a distinct voice that tells you how to approach a challenge – usually by berating you that you don’t have the required skills until you decide it’s not even worth trying. If you do try, and fail, your “voice” will tell that of course that was going to happen. When you recognise this voice, challenge what it says. Ask if it’s really speaking the truth. Consider these ways of flipping the script:

Fixed mindset: “I’m going to fail and I’ll be a failure.”
Growth mindset: “I may not succeed, but I’ll learn something. Most successful people have failures along the way.”

Fixed mindset: “If I don’t try, then I won’t be disappointed.”
Growth mindset: “If I don’t try, then I’ve automatically failed. Might as well try and see what happens.”

Fixed mindset: “If I had the talent to do this, everything would work out. It hasn’t, so clearly I’m not supposed to be here.”
Growth mindset: “Just because I enjoy something doesn’t mean it’s going to be easy. I like a challenge. It helps me to learn and push forward.”

Fall in love with failure

Think back to previous failures in your life, or challenges you’ve attempted but didn’t overcome. Look for an outcome that was in some way good. Did you learn something about yourself? Did you meet someone who helped you improve your skills?

As humans, we learn so much more from our failures than our successes. Challenge yourself as often as you can and learn to actively seek out and embrace those challenges.

Stop being obsessed with being seen a certain way

People with a fixed mindset believe they are a certain way – smart, or athletic, or fun. Anything that challenges their perception of themselves leaves them feeling irritated or competitive. Learn to let go of the feeling that it matters what other people think of you. It doesn’t matter if someone else is “smarter” this one time, as long as you’re being the authentic you.
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Changing your mindset can feel overwhelming, but it all begins with awareness of your thoughts and a willingness to challenge yourself.

Are you ready to change to a growth mindset?