There’s a saying that goes, ‘Nothing changes if nothing changes’ and it applies to absolutely all aspects of our lives, both personal and professional.
Change can be hard, but by taking small steps towards it, new habits have the chance to come through. Medibank has teamed up with Ritualize, a program focusing on health and well-being, to guide individuals into creating more positive lifestyles.
Wendy Dunning, Project Co-ordinator for the Corporate Health and Wellbeing team, has experienced a much-needed lifestyle change since beginning her Ritualize journey. She says that it has redirected her life in more ways than she could have ever imagined.
“It’s a game changer. It’s helped me prioritise my health and well-being, which I now recognise is extremely important. I’m more present with what I’m doing and am so much more focused. I also feel more aware of what’s happening around me, I’m really seeing the world from a new perspective.”
Wendy with her three children.
Ritualize teaches participants how to form small rituals into habits and make them a permanent part of their lives. This may be through physical activity, nutrition or mind training. Participants are encouraged to log goals they would like to achieve and track their progress thereafter.
“The program helps us prioritise our health and wellbeing. It helps us focus on ourselves and gives us the tools to take ownership. It’s about doing the right thing for your mind and body.”
Wendy says that since starting the program, her average steps per day has skyrocketed to more than she has ever done before.
“Before Ritualize, I averaged 3,500 steps a day but now I do around 11,000 steps without thinking about it. It’s not an effort anymore, it has just turned into a positive habit.”
Wendy with colleagues taking the stairs Ritualize style.
Another great feature of Ritualize is its ability to guide you through and manage your stress levels. This has transformed Wendy into a more resilient person, who has learned to look after herself.
“There is a catastrophe scale of 1 to 10 which enables us to assess the seriousness of any issues we may be facing. By sitting back and reflecting on why I’m so stressed, and realising that what I thought was a 10 is actually a 1, I’ve been able to keep my stress levels under control.”
Ritualize hasn’t only made an impact on Wendy’s life, but also on her family’s. She has taken this opportunity to pass on her healthy habits to her children, starting them at a young age.
“With Ritualize, I do a lot of self-reflecting and goal setting. We’ve now done that with the kids by asking them what they want to achieve during the term. It’s been a really good way to teach them about positive habits.”
Wendy and her family are making positive changes to make the most out of life.
Not only has the program changed Wendy personally, but it has also helped her expand her network at Medibank. A community of Ritualize participants has been formed within the walls of Medibank offices around Australia.
“It’s been an amazing ice breaker. I know people from across the business so much better and we don’t only talk about Ritualize but also about our personal lives. It has definitely help me connect better with my team and brought employees across the business together.”
Ritualize has been a great partner to Medibank’s ‘For Better Health’ movement. They complement each other and work together to put a focus on the importance of our health and wellbeing, both at work and at home.
“‘For Better Health’ to me means making better choices and getting more out of every day. With Ritualize, I can do more of the things I want to do and have fun doing them.”