While studying for my health coaching credential two things really stood out.

1 mental health & physical health are intertwined (Hypothalamus and our actual guts really are important!)

2 Personal values are key to progression in anything.

When you can't pin point your values it makes taking control of health much more difficult! it can be why
procrastination, denial take hold, why health routines fail.

To fill some gaps in my own value system I needed to learn te-reo!
Knowing your culture (whichever that is!) helps you with your true values, knowing your whakapapa enables you to have a solid foundation to build your self esteem etc if you don't have that in your early development stages that can lead to a lot of issues later in life. There are of course other factors but for any indigenous person growing in a colonised environment cut from their culture and/or land its basically a given difficulties will be faced (lack of belonging, insecurities, anxiety, self hatred).

So while I'm Māori this applies to every culture, basically knowing your whakapapa/culture & language of where you are and where you have come from helps with 1:figuring out your values 2: self esteem 3: Increases intelligence

I don't want to gloss over the hurt and damage caused by colonisation and racism different cultures all face as its deep and real, but i do want to focus on the recovery that iwi and tangata tiriti of Aoteroa have been working on and the resources available to Aoteroan's especially my fellow māori that feel embarrassed (which is not your burden to hold!), things like "I'm not maori enough" or feel the call to connect but just don't know how.

Where to go? Google e hoa :D
In person classes or dedicated online classes are a great tool.
Duo lingo and apps designed to teach basics and help when you can't make a dedicated class.
For te reo Kōreroreo (my classes whatsapp group listed that little gem).
Local community groups are a fantastic source of connecting cultural groups together
Taking tikanga or te ao maori courses (NZ specific) like Te wananga o Aoteroa

Questions to ask yourself if you feel you need help with cultural issues.

How has my disconnection affected me? What am I seeking to change? Who do I know that can help?
What has held me back?

I was lucky to meet a wide range of tau iwi & tangata tiriti/ pākeha who shared why they wanted to learn te-reo (super inspiring) and Māori of all ages shared the commonality of how shame, fear was used to eradicate the reo from their families and uphold British superiority/royal views.

On the side of settlers and immigrants; they too must be allowed to maintain their own language but also be open to learning the language and ways of the land they have decided to settle into. Often those that leave for other countries due to work find it isolating and stressful if they can't speak the native language the process can be really hard for many.

Anyways as an adult in my 30's I can continue my progress to understanding who I am, and started that process due to a health coach training session with a wonderful tauira 'Ally'. It didn't happen overnight it took me ages to build up the courage to apply for te-reo lessons, I did and started last year level1 and by the end of that year the changes I felt and fellow tauira felt were immense!
I can understand and hear more basic te-reo, I can confidently say kia ora to anyone and my first proper basic convo happened in Melbourne of all places! (Melbourne museum is fantastic)
I have a commitment never really experienced, like i just 'know' I'm going to achieve what i need to vibe, I left a lot of shame & embarrassment behind, I mean I could bang on all day about how great it has been.
And there are/will be some difficulties.

So I hope for anyone else out there feeling like they need to know more language- go for it! there is nothing to loose and everything to gain.
Whāia te iti kahurangi, ki te tuohu koe me maunga teitei/Seek the treasure that you value most dearly, if you. bow your head, let it be to a lofty mountain.

-Saz