We all lead such busy lives; juggling work, family commitments, personal relationships, hobbies. Sometimes our health and wellbeing can start to slip down the priority list. We spoke to team members from across Morris Group to find out how they look after their physical and mental wellness.
Owen Brockfield
General Manager – The Albert Park Hotel
Morris Hospitality
“Wellbeing to me is about being healthy and happy, maintaining a good work life balance, and taking the time to do things that I enjoy.
I try to get out for a run at least a couple of times a week and go to the gym as well. I used to run a lot and have done quite a few ultra marathons, but these days it’s more important to me just to get out and have a bit of fun. When I get the chance, I still really enjoy trail running. Being out in the bush all on your own is the best form of meditation and a good reset if I’m feeling overwhelmed.
For me, running seems to be a good all-round exercise. It keeps you fit, motivates you to get out into the bush, and is a really good way to clear your mind. I also find that the more I run the more I need to stretch. We have a little yoga space set up at home and I really enjoy taking some time to stretch and relax. Looking after your physical health tends to keep your mental health in good shape as well.
Feeling well rested and having a consistently high energy level is important especially when you are dealing with people every day in your job like I am. Hospitality obviously isn’t known to be a particularly healthy industry. It can be quite stressful at times with long hours and late nights, and there can be a tendency towards unhealthy eating and drinking.
I think that when you are taking care of yourself, exercising and being conscious of your thoughts, you are better prepared to do a quite demanding job. I try to be a good role model for people who are just starting in the industry. I want to have a positive impact on people rather than encourage some of the negative behaviour that the industry is known for.
When it comes to wellbeing, I’m a big believer in consistency and balance. My wife is a pilates and yoga instructor, and that is definitely helpful for me to have such a balancing influence in my life. We spend a lot of our spare time outdoors, going for a hike or swim. I think when you find ways to be active that are fun, it makes it a lot easier to get out the door.
I went through a stage when I was a bit fanatical about the fitness side of wellbeing. I would try to run or get to the gym every day. Now, I tend to do things because I enjoy them. Going for a run is more about getting outside than trying to set a record. I do need to remind myself to be consistent and not make excuses for putting things off. Even if it’s just taking the dog for a walk, I always feel better for getting out and doing something.”
Rhiannon Barber
Reservations Agent / Ground Crew
Nautilus Aviation – Port Douglas
“I would say wellbeing is a combination of my mental and emotional state, physical health and social health all intertwined into one. Since having kids, it’s definitely not something at the forefront of my mind but I do think it’s important for everyone to take the time to think about.
I’m lucky that in my role I have a balance of office time doing reservations, as well as outdoor time interacting with guests while ground crewing. Sunshine and fresh air are a big thing for me to help reset. I’m also fortunate to have my office in a 5-star resort with stunning pools that back onto Four Mile Beach in Port Douglas. On lunch breaks I can unwind with a walk on the beach or lay by the pool. Checking in and catching up with friends and family is also super important for my mental health on the weekends.
I’m very much a water baby so I often swim after work to keep fit and if the winds are under 10 knots I’ll try get out to the reef for a cheeky dive or snorkel. I am lucky to live in such a beautiful part of the world with rainforests, beaches and waterfalls. So going on adventures with my family and friends does tend to tick most boxes in the wellbeing department.
Looking after my health and wellbeing helps me keep a positive mindset. I try to stay positive where possible. When you are positive and happy, it tends to have a flow-on effect to the people around you in both your work and personal life.
We are a small team here in Port Douglas, so if one or more of us become sick it can throw the whole operation out for the day. I wouldn’t say it’s a physically demanding job, but you need a lot of patience and flexibility in aviation which can become mentally demanding at times. But having a strong support base in our team, we all work together to keep each other going both mentally and emotionally.”
Andy Gray
Senior Brewer
CBCo Brewing – Port Melbourne
“For me wellbeing is about a good mental and physical balance in my life, understanding and listening to your body, and doing what you know helps. It’s also important to understand that your wellbeing needs change overtime. What I thought my wellbeing needs or priorities were in my 20s are hugely different now.
These days I find the best way to take care of my wellbeing is focusing on regular exercise, trying to cook healthy and eating well, having regular catch ups with mates, getting into the garden, and having some down time by watching cartoons or reading. I’ve discovered that growing my own food when I can, such as herbs, tomatoes and such, and reaping the rewards of getting your hands dirty is really satisfying.
For me, running is a great way to just unload and forget about the day. I also have a regular Saturday ride with friends. A ride and a coffee ends up being a good group debrief about the week and helps everyone put their week into perspective and talk through some solutions to problems. Even a simple after work walk is great to clear the head.
Making the time to be social is really important, especially for mental health. I do a fortnightly beer, chat and dinner with some mates. Everyone is responsible for a course on the night, so it’s a nice to make and share food with mates. It’s a relaxing way to catch up and just chat about stuff.
I think that the biggest benefit of taking care of my health and wellbeing is being able to have the energy and physical capacity to do what I want. Brewing can be a very physical job with moving hoses around or lifting bags of malt, and we tend to spend most of our day as brewers on our feet, so simply taking care of myself allows me to do my job as best I can.
Having an improved headspace makes it easier to turn off after you’ve had a bad day. I always feel great after exercise, and not so great if I don’t get to exercise. I think the most important thing is learning to listen to your body.”
Thinzar Zaw Win
Senior Assistant Front Office Manager
The Ville Resort-Casino
“To me, wellbeing is about a balanced lifestyle aiming for harmony in both physical and mental wellbeing. The way I look after my physical and mental health is by maintaining proper eating habits, practicing yoga and meditation. I find yoga to be the most effective way to stay fit, healthy and well.
I think taking care of my wellbeing has helped improve my self-confidence and means I’m able to prioritise the day-to-day tasks with a smile. It makes me more productive and allows me to perform at my best and deliver the best customer service.
It can be challenging to stay motivated sometimes, but I find that rewarding myself when I achieve small milestones helps me stay on track. I’ve made wellbeing part of my daily routine which really helps me focus on what I do in my day-to-day life.”