The future of workplace wellness is here. It’s transformational, and it’s driven by a conscious social and health imperative. This means that toxic work cultures must be replaced by regenerative business practices and ideals.

We’re on the cusp of a new dawn. The waves of transformation have been growing with intensity, and our (Western) world is changing fast. Have you noticed this, too? As with any catalytic shift — be it a health crisis, battling a blazing fire or going through a breakup — it gets messy. But, we’re making a giant evolutionary leap right now.

The gates to Australia may be about to fly open. In some States the border walls are finally coming down, and domestic and international travel will be back on our radars. We’ve all been waiting for it, and it’s getting quite exciting really. But this jubilation also comes with a sense of trepidation, and the continued presence of well-meaning but somewhat imposing limitations in our lives.

Western Australia is the richest State in the country and one of the most vibrant economies in the world right now. The Government’s recently announced $5.6 billion Budget surplus was the envy of the rest of the nation. Our unemployment rate is down to 4.6 per cent….

Most of us know someone who has been impacted by cancer. People close to me have been through various cancer diagnoses — and I’m sure people close to you have been too. Some of those I know have survived, though the worry of relapse is always present. I’ve also lost dear friends and family, young and old to cancer — it’s a dreaded disease.

As a society, we’ve become heavily accustomed to cocktails of pills and synthetic substances to aid, replace and repair our body’s biochemical functioning. While pharmaceuticals can do a great job, particularly in assisting with managing symptoms, they only go so far. And the side effects aren’t always pretty.

Perhaps like you, my days begin and end with a nice warm, freshly brewed beverage. Tea is my tonic, and it’s the most popular drink in the world, after water. Tea has gained somewhat of a pop-cult status over the past 350 years. It’s a universal elixir — we love and grieve with a cup of tea in hand.

There’s a lot to be said for local solutions to our common challenges, and grassroots mental health services continue to make a real difference. Decades of research on the effectiveness of community interventions, as well as an evolving understanding of people’s needs, prove that social solutions work. They help to prevent ill health, improve wellbeing and quality of life, and ultimately save lives.

The scenes at Kabul airport ripped through the heart of the international community this week. Shock, anger and devastation were felt by many. The photograph of 640 people crammed into the US Air Force carrier, and the pictures of those left behind, also hit me hard.

You’d be forgiven for feeling a bit scared right now. There’s a lot going on in the world, and it’s having an effect on many of us. The pandemic aside, the “code red for humanity” report released by the UN this week put the wind up us all. Though, we might finally see some bold action from our political and business leaders on the climate front

Being a born and bred Queenslander, I naturally feel the cold, even in summer. So the idea of crisp ocean swims at 7am in the middle of winter is well and truly out of my mind. But last week, somehow, my mate Phil convinced me it was a good idea. He suggested that it might even change my life. I mean, how could I resist that kind of persuasion?

Let’s face it, we all need a shoulder to lean on at times, and it’s particularly helpful while you’re in the middle of a health crisis. But sometimes finding the right support can be a real challenge. Though establishing connections with people that just “get it” can make all the difference.

For most of my childhood, I struggled to breathe. I just couldn’t get the air in or out. My throat would constrict and my body would heave as I tried to inhale or exhale — asthma is scary. So, the whole concept of conscious breathing has really captured my curiosity. So much so that it’s something I now practice on a daily basis (and teach others, too).

It’s been more than three years since Western Australia signed up for the National Disability Insurance Scheme. There are more than 39,000 people receiving benefits across WA and around 400,000 across the country. The scheme is available to people 7-65 years of age with a “significant or permanent disability” (intellectual, cognitive, sensory, physical and psychosocial).

As humans, we are hardwired for social connection. We can not survive without it. The quality of our relationships has a profound impact on our health and happiness. Our close relationships (family and friends) help us to endure the tough stuff and also cheer us on through the wins.

Many small businesses have taken a pummelling in the past 12-18 months. Hospitality, bricks and mortar retail, arts and entertainment, recreation and tourism have all been impacted by the COVID pandemic and the restrictions. Some outfits have collapsed completely, others have managed to rapidly innovate. We’ve also seen new businesses emerge.

In 2014 I had a crazy idea. I wanted to build a social farm to improve mental health and wellbeing outcomes for people in our community. The concept of social (or care) farming is well established in the UK, Europe and US. The model uses commercial agriculture to promote health, inclusion, education, employment and social support for vulnerable groups.

Personal development is like dying. Unto yourself. To your ego. Over and over. It’s about you getting to know… well, you. And enhancing your special set of skills, strengths and capabilities. So you can become a fully realised being (if that’s even possible). A master of thy self.

The pressure to “be a man” is immense. Generally, men have been taught to keep it together. To show a brave face and hide their feelings. These kinds of gender stereotypes affect us all. From birth, we frame our children’s identity and societal roles around deeply entrenched intergenerational expectations. Boys must wear blue, play with trucks and be sporty. They then have to be a success and become providers.

Nature is a powerful healer. For some, the forest itself has become a therapist — known as forest bathing, the Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku has taken off around the world. Forest bathing is a restorative mindfulness therapy. It involves using all of your senses to “bathe” in the forest atmosphere (no disrobing involved) to promote vitality and prevent disease.