Life Insurance
Provides a lump sum payment if you were to pass away or are diagnosed with a terminal illness.
The most important things in your life are your family, your lifestyle and your future. This is what life, trauma and disability insurance are there to protect.
For Individuals
For Business
Provides a lump sum payment if you were to pass away or are diagnosed with a terminal illness.
Explore our health insurance options; choose private health cover or specialised cancer insurance.
Financial support if you or your child become seriously ill or injured.
Provides a lump sum payment if you become permanently disabled and are unable to work due to accident or injury.
Monthly payment to replace a portion of your income if you are unable to work due to sickness or injury.
Provides a lump sum payment if you have an accident and suffer one of the covered injuries.
Simple plans you can buy online. Get protected with basic life, rent or mortgage protection.
Check out our latest insurance campaigns and offers.
AIA Vitality encourages and supports you to live a healthier life, while giving you access to great rewards along the way.
Get help with making a claim.
AIA Group is one of the largest life insurers in the world, with a presence in 18 markets across Asia Pacific. AIA New Zealand Limited is part of the AIA Group and has been providing insurance to New Zealanders since 1981.
AIA New ZealandAIA Thrive is a network of qualified, experienced advisers helping New Zealanders plan well, so they can live well.
AIA NZ is committed helping build a healthier, cleaner and more sustainable Aotearoa NZ.
AIA is committed to continuously improving conduct, culture and customer outcomes.
We're here to help! Check out our quick links and digital tools. Still have a question? Get in touch via Live Chat.
Contact AIAQuick Links
Understanding your policy
Other useful information
Updating policies, moving house, changing names, Covid-19 support... our FAQs section has all the answers and forms.
Product updates, enhancements and policy wordings for current and closed AIA or Sovereign policies.
Find out more about CPI indexation and how it may affect your insurance cover.
Helpful advice if you have recently arrived, or are considering moving to New Zealand.
A list of some of the services available in New Zealand that offer support, information and help.
The latest AIA investment performance information, as well as a list of closed and terminated investment products.
If you have a complaint, we’ll do our best to resolve the situation.
{{title}}
{{label}}AIA Vitality NZ - 3 min read
15 September 2021
Keeping a journal has a range of benefits for both physical and mental health, all backed by science. Here’s how to make it part of your daily practice.
When you were at school, there’s a good chance that you kept a diary – a place to record your thoughts and feelings. As we transition into adulthood, though, many of us leave this habit behind. But perhaps we shouldn’t be so quick to turn the page on personal writing.
As it turns out, there’s a body of evidence suggesting that journalling – the act of recording our thoughts and feelings – comes with a raft of mental and physical health benefits.
When we reference journalling, we’re describing ‘expressive writing’. That is, a style of writing that intends to capture your thoughts and feelings about an experience or set of experiences; expressive writing is now commonly used as part of therapy treatment.
Keeping a journal helps you process things and acknowledge emotions, particularly about stressful or traumatic events. By organising thoughts and feelings, you can ‘lighten the load’ on your brain. This – as the New York Times observes – leads to better sleep which, in turn, comes with a whole host of benefits. The science bears this out, too. One 2018 study showed that writing about your emotions for just 15 minutes, a few times a week, reduced symptoms in participants with elevated anxiety.
The benefits aren’t just limited to the mind, either. In another study patients suffering from arthritis and asthma were asked to write about the most stressful event they’d experienced, while a control group wrote about an emotionally neutral topic. The results showed 47 per cent of the first group experienced a clinically significant reduction in their symptoms after four months, while only 24 per cent of the control group saw a similar improvement.
So, if the science says journalling is an effective way to boost mental and physical health, how can you best make it part of your routine?
The best way to journal is the one that suits you most. You might like to buy yourself a nice notebook and a new pen, tap away your thoughts on your computer, or use the notes app on your phone. Some people even like to record their thoughts as a voice memo. You’re more likely to stick to journalling if you find what’s comfortable for you.
Write at a time of day that will suit you. Many people choose to write as soon as they wake up in the morning, while others journal before they go to bed to clear their thoughts before they sleep. Once you work out what time fits your lifestyle best, try to work it into your routine.
Sit in a quiet space where you won’t be interrupted, and you won’t be distracted by family members, partners, housemates or pets. Try switching your phone off while you write, so you won’t be interrupted.
There is no ‘right’ way to journal, so write about anything you like. Some people prefer to record their feelings and how they relate to difficult or stressful events, while others like to write about dreams, or things that have happened throughout the day. Don’t worry about grammar and punctuation, either. After all, you’re the only one reading what you’ve written.
Article by: AIA Vitality Staff Writer
Staff writers come from a range of backgrounds including health, wellbeing, music, tech, culture and the arts. They spend their time researching the latest data and trends in the health market to deliver up-to-date information, helping everyday New Zealanders live healthier, longer, better lives.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is general information only and is not intended as financial, medical, health, nutritional, tax or other advice. It does not take into account any individual’s personal situation or needs. You should consider obtaining professional advice from a financial adviser and/or tax specialist, or medical or health practitioner, in relation to your own circumstances and before acting on this information.
This content is brought to you by AIA Vitality
AIA Vitality is a science-backed health and wellbeing programme that provides the guidance, tools, and rewards to get more out of life so you can start thriving.
You might like these
We will be in contact as soon as we can.
Did you know, with an eligible policy you can view, claim and update your insurance with MyAIA? Find out more