Stress on Rural Business Prompts New Initiative From Business Mentors

Business Mentors New Zealand has announced a new initiative to increase business mentoring support to rural businesses throughout New Zealand, which are facing increasing levels of stress worsened by the aftermath of the recent drought, tighter regulations on health and safety, and environmental controls.

The new initiative supported by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment sees the $150 Business Mentors’ registration fee waived for businesses in areas where a medium-scale drought was declared. The country’s 17 Business Mentoring agencies are being encouraged to place greater emphasis on supporting rural enterprises.

Ray Schofield CEO of Business Mentors New Zealand says: `We know that your typical Kiwi guy won’t ask for the help that could help him take his company to the next level.

The purpose of this initiative is to assist rural businesses affected by the drought in those areas where the medium-scale drought has been declared. The funding is specifically to enable free client registrations that normally cost $150. Funding of these registration costs are seen as a means of removing any real or perceived barriers to business owners accessing support from BMNZ.’

Rising pressures on farmers and recent statistics that show stress and depression is a real issue in rural communities, which has serious economic consequences. Ministry of Health data shows the suicide rate for those living in rural areas is 16 per 100,000 people, compared to a rate of 11.2 per 100,000 people in urban areas

Lack of support for farmers in particular leads to poorer decision making on farm, affecting animals and the whole farm system.  This often leads to poorer farm productivity and profitability.

Ray Schofield explains: `A business mentor is unique one-to-one, confidential and highly experienced in the trials and tribulations of running a small to medium sized enterprise. One of the big things is the isolation which rural businesses are often faced. A business mentor takes that away and provides a sounding board to take the company to the next level.’

Business Mentors New Zealand is the country’s only national volunteer business mentoring service. The not for profit organisation helps around 250 businesses find a mentor every month and has assisted more than 65,000 small to medium-size enterprise owners in New Zealand in the last 22 years. Business Mentors provides access to over 1,900 volunteer mentors (who give their experience, skill and knowledge free of charge). The $150 registration fee allows mentoring for up to two years.

Rural businesses who wish to apply for a mentor under this new initiative are advised to call 0800 209 209 to see if they meet MBIE criteria for a registration code.

For more information please visit www.businessmentors.org.nz

Peter Boyes, Boyes PR - 0275 540 500 peter@boyespr.co.nz

Ray Schofield, Business Mentors - 027 473 5435

CHIROPRACTORS CALL FOR KIWIS TO STRAIGHTEN UP BEFORE THEY FLY

New Zealanders taking to the air in search of a temporary break in warmer climes are warned to take extra special care by the New Zealand Chiropractors’ Association because of the extra strain on the spine and nervous system caused by the country’s long distance from almost anywhere.

Dr Hayden Thomas, chiropractor and spokesperson for the New Zealand Chiropractors’ Association explains: ‘We do see a spike in people visiting us when they get back from a journey overseas. We are a long way from anywhere so the effects are often more pronounced than for other nations. Long periods sitting in cramped positions on planes and in transit lounges, sleeping in different beds and without familiar supportive pillows, reduced hydration and the stress of travel and time zones on the nervous system can all take their toll.

`Turbulence shock and the vibration we experience sitting on long journeys in planes may also cause a change to the structure of the discs between the spinal bones and lead to stiffness and discomfort with increased likelihood of a disc bulge and nerve compression.  We remind people to stay well hydrated and move around regularly during the journey. At this time of year when people tend to take international journeys to escape the New Zealand winter it’s important to be in great health so one can enjoy their holidays.’

The Straighten Up New Zealand (SUNZ) website www.straightenup.org.nz has a series of simple exercises taking just three minutes to complete, to help improve posture, stabilise core muscle groups, enhance health and prevent spinal disability. 

Dr Thomas adds: `We’re also asking people to think about their spines before they fly by keeping the weight in their suitcase to a minimum. Don't be tempted to over fill your suitcase and choose appropriate luggage with wheels or padded and supportive straps. Try our SUNZ exercises to help alleviate muscle tension and joint stiffness during the flight and take care of your spine when lifting your case from the carousel and also loading it into taxis and cars. Keep your back straight, use your core strength, bend from the knees and be sure to use airport trolleys when available. A quick trip to your chiropractor before you fly to help optimise function and prevent any potential injuries is also a great idea.’

The NZCA advises that stretches may help to ease any muscle tension during and after your journey and elevating your legs so that your feet are higher than your knees and regular movement en route should help reduce swelling and incidence of deep vein thrombosis (blood clots).

Healthy food choices, minimal alcohol consumption and adequate sleep while on holiday also help to keep you feeling and functioning at your optimum.

In flight exercises may also include:

SEAT STRETCHES

Sit upright with your shoulders relaxed. Tilt your head forwards until your chin rests close to your chest. Take a big breath in hold for the count of 5 then breathe out and relax. Repeat holding head to either side.

CHIN TUCKS

Sit upright and gently tuck your chin backwards like you are trying to make a double chin. Hold for 5 five seconds, relax and repeat 3 times.

SEAT SHRUGS

Sit up straight, relax and keep your head still. Place your hands on the armrests and hunch both shoulders upwards. Hold for 5 seconds, repeat three times.

ARM & HAND STRETCHES

Sit slightly forwards. Raise your arms up straight and interlock your fingers, palms facing downwards. With your fingers interlocked, turn your palms upwards. Try and keep your elbows straight and fell a slight stretch in both arms. Hold the stretch for five to ten seconds and repeat.

TOE & HEEL TAPS

Sit with your back straight with both feet flat on the floor slightly apart. Lift the toes of both feet up as high as you can. Both feet flat on the floor again. Lift heels up high, keeping the balls of your feet on the floor. Repeat ten times.

KNEE LIFTS

Sit up straight forearms and elbows flat on the arm rests. Lift your right leg up with your knee bent, and then lower it. Repeat this action with your left leg. Alternate legs repeat 20 times.

For further information on the New Zealand Chiropractors’ Association visit www.chiropractic.org.nz. 

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Further Information:

Dr Hayden Thomas, Chiropractor 027 299 9939 or hayden@chiropractic.org.nz

Peter Boyes 027 554 0500 or peter@boyespr.co.nz

OASIS BEAUTY FIRST NZ MADE BB RANGE FOR ‘TEN MINUTE’ KIWI WOMEN

Oasis Beauty, New Zealand’s leading expert in `all-in-one’ sensitive skin and sun protection has developed the first New Zealand made beauty balms, an all-in-one facial cosmetic product to replace serum, moisturiser, primer, foundation and sunblock, which like all Oasis Beauty products are formulated using natural ingredients.

The Oasis BB creams, launched as part of the Oasis Sun range, are on sale online now and will be in stores from 1^st August.  The Canterbury based company has created a new range of products following customer research which shows that Kiwi women spend less than ten minutes on their skincare in the morning.

Oasis Beauty founder Stephanie Evans explains: `Our latest customer research shows that New Zealand women spend less than ten minutes on their skincare in the morning. Our customers are in the prime of their lives, but time poor, many with children under 13 and have told us they want multi-purpose products made from natural ingredients in New Zealand. Instead of having to use a moisturiser and then a foundation and then think about sunblock, we’ve been able to meet their needs and have everything covered with one product. Overseas BB creams are hailed by dermatologists as a breakthrough in skin care and we believe this is the first one to be made in New Zealand. I have not found any truly natural BB creams in my worldwide search.  Most that claim to be natural actually contain silicone.’

The Oasis Beauty BB creams are all-in-one SPF 25 anti-ageing moisturiser and mineral foundation, providing natural mid-coverage honey tint with a dewy-fresh finish and full coverage powder finish in cream and caramel tints. All three versions provide all day hydration for sensitive skin and contain powerful anti-oxidants (pomegranate, vitamins C and E) and natural ingredients to help improve skin appearance. Oasis Beauty BB cream can be worn alone, or over serum or moisturiser.  Powder can be applied afterwards, depending on desired amount of coverage.

More information can be found at www.oasisbeauty.co.nz, along with a list of outlets stocking Oasis Beauty products.

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About Oasis Beauty:

We inspire women to take better care of their skin by making it easier, simpler and more affordable with our all-in-one skin care products with an emphasis on sensitive skin and sun protection.  The products are manufactured in New Zealand from ethical, natural and organic ingredients combined with high vitamin contents.

We give women the confidence that the appearance and health of their skin is in excellent hands with free expert advice, samples and first class service.

All Oasis Beauty products are suitable for sensitive skin and are available both online and through pharmacies, beauticians and health stores nationwide. Oasis Beauty supports the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA).

Contact:

Peter Boyes: peter@boyespr.co.nz - 09 5757 003 or 0275 540 500

Stephanie Evans: steph@oasisbeauty.co.nz or 021 070 9729