Te Whare Tapa Whā dimensions

The Māori holistic model of health, Te Whare Tapa Whā, reminds you to take care of all of the different dimensions of your life to support your wellbeing; using the dimensions is one way to help you cope with cancer.

Using Te Whare Tapa Whā wellbeing dimensions to cope with cancer

The Māori holistic model of health, Te Whare Tapa Whā, reminds people to take care of all of the different dimensions of your life that support your wellbeing. Using these dimensions is one way to help you and your whānau cope with cancer.

Sir Mason Durie, Professor of Māori Health Studies and leading Māori health advocate developed Te Whare Tapa Whā in 1984. It describes a person’s health and wellbeing as a wharenui/meeting house.

The four walls of the wharenui represent the key aspects of personal wellbeing that when in balance, support us to thrive. The foundations of the house relates to the whenua which is your land and roots, or any places you feel you belong.

If one or more of these dimensions is out of balance it affects our wellbeing. Below are some ways you can take to balance each dimension.

Dimensions of wellbeing	Advice
Taha tinana Physical	Have a routine or structure to your day. Eat and drink well – veggies, fruit and healthy grains and proteins. Don't binge; stick to meal routines. Avoid drinking more than 1 or 2 glasses of alcohol on any day and more than 14 std units/week. Go outside, get fresh air. Move your body – this might be walking around your home, having a boogie or following an at-home exercise session – whatever you can do with your current health and living situation. Seek Rongoā Māori
Taha wairua Spiritual	Practice self-kindness – accept your thoughts and feelings, tell yourself you are doing your best, care for yourself. Use strategies like mindfulness, meditation and relaxation exercises to help you feel less anxious. Keep doing things that reflect the values that are important to you. In difficult times remember what is important to you.
Taha whānau Family and social	Talk to your whānau and friends, ask for their help to access the things you need. Being kind and supportive to others is good for you too. Keep up in touch and connected with whānau and friends on the phone, video, text, and other chat options
Taha hinengaro Mental and emotional	Focus on the things that you can control. Acknowledge and accept your thoughts and feelings. It is normal to feel more distressed currently. Calming strategies – focus on the here and now, use distraction techniques. Don't forget to laugh. Plan fun, enjoyment, pleasurable activities. Restrict yourself to accurate sources of information
Whenua Land, roots or where you belong	Connect with nature – what can you see outside, explore your backyard, explore your local area. Visit places, people and animals who you feel a sense of belonging with Explore your family history or whakapapa, shares stories and experiences.

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