Celebrating National Wellness Month: A Guide for Teachers, Parents, and Students

Citizenship, Community, Wellness

August is National Wellness Month in Canada, it is a perfect time to focus on self-care, stress management, and the promotion of healthy habits.
For teachers, parents, and students, this month offers a unique opportunity to integrate wellness into our daily lives and educational environments. Here’s how we can all make the most of this month dedicated to health and well-being.

For Teachers: School is out, which gives teachers even more opportunity to invest time in developing healthy routines of rejuvination and relaxation. These may include:
Physical Activity: Engage in summer activities that help to keep you active, activities like early morning stretches, quick evening walks, summer bike rides, or nature-inspired hikes can all help to energize you for the rest of the summer days ahead.

Mindfulness and Relaxation: Teachers are very familiar with employing these techniques with their students in the classroom. Since school is out, it’s the perfect time to employ these techniques for your own wellbeing. For example, start the day with a few minutes of mindfulness or deep breathing exercises. Just a few minutes of mindfulness can go a long way to mitigating stress and anxiety, and creating a calm and focused mindset.

Healthy Eating Habits: Now that the rush of the school year is over, it’s a great time to explore creative ways to enjoy healthy eating. It’s also the perfect time to find quick and simple recipes that you can easily use to maintain your healthy eating habits once the busyness of the new school year begins.

Emotional Support: Teachers know all too well the importance of fostering an environment where students feel safe to express their feelings. The same applies to teachers too! Use the summer months to reconnect with those in your network who you may not have seen or spoken to in a while. Spending your time making yourself available to others too is another way to leverage the strength of emotional support.

Professional Wellness: Here at Newton’s Grove, we are heavily invested in the professional wellness of all of our staff and faculty. That’s why we simply cannot wait to welcome our entire team back at the end of August, prior to the start of the school year, to engage in training, wellness and team building activities.

For Parents Supporting Wellness at Home: Summer can be a wonderful respite and fantastic opportunity to spend extra time with our children. It can also be a time that’s stressful for parents who have to balance their work routines throughout the summer, while feeling the added pressure of ensuring their children enjoy a fun-filled and engaging summer. So, here are some tips for parents to employ for their wellness too:
Healthy Routines: The summer months can be somewhat challenging, but maintaining some routines can help to reinforce consistency, reduce stress and improve overall well-being for all. For example, wake up and bedtimes may differ for children during the summer than during the school year, but setting some boundaries can be beneficial for all.

Nutrition: Take the opportunity to involve your children in meal planning and cooking. Not only is it a great way to spend some quality time with them, but you can also reinforce the importance of a balanced diet and encourage them to try new, healthy foods.

Physical Activity: Plan family activities that get everyone moving. Whether it’s a bike ride, a hike, or playing a sport together, physical activity is a great way to bond and stay healthy.

Emotional Well-being: Take the time while children have more time off over the summer to create an open and supportive environment where they feel comfortable sharing their feelings. Teach them coping strategies for stress and anxiety, and be mindful of their emotional health, and yours as well!

Screen Time Management: During the summer months it can be easy for children to squander hours in front of their screens! This makes it all the more important to monitor and manage screen time to ensure it doesn’t interfere with sleep, physical activity, and family interactions. Encourage breaks and set limits to promote a balanced lifestyle.

For Students: Depending on a child’s age, they too can take some measure of responsibility for their own wellness. Here are a few tips:
Stay Active: Children can find physical activities that they enjoy and make them a part of their daily routine, whether it’s going for a daily swim, going for a bike ride, or meeting up with friends to take a walk and explore their local neighbourhood. Whatever they choose, staying active is one key to student wellness.

Healthy Eating: More attention may be needed over the summer to ensure children pay attention to what they eat. Unhealthy snacking or quick unhealthy meals may be easy options for both students and busy parents. However, be mindful that opting for nutritious foods that provide kids with energy and boost their concentration is a great habit to maintain, even during the summer months.
Manage Stress: During the summer months it’s a great time for students to identify what works best for them to stay calm and focused, and to practice stress management techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or journaling.

Sleep Well: Students, you may not have the daily routine of school to attend, but make sure you continue to get enough sleep each night. A good night’s sleep is crucial for your physical and mental health, and it helps you perform better, even when you’re not in school.

Stay Connected: Maintain strong relationships with family and friends. Social connections are important for your emotional well-being. Some students may feel more isolated during the summer months without the daily interaction of school peers, so don’t hesitate to reach out for support when you need it!
National Wellness Month is a wonderful reminder of the importance of health and well-being in all of our lives. By taking small steps and making conscious choices, teachers, parents, and students can create a supportive and healthy environment that promotes success both in and out of the classroom.
Let’s embrace this month as an opportunity to prioritize our wellness and inspire those around us to do the same.

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