Wellness refers to feeling good in reference to mind, spirit, and physical health. A student who has all these in place shows positive results in his academic performance as well as social life.
Regular wellness programs in schools are beneficial for students to adopt healthy behaviour and lifestyles.
When we talk about wellness, it includes physical wellness, mental wellness, and social and intellectual wellness which are interrelated and get affected by each other and other segments of life.
How can schools support students through different well-being programs?
Well-being has a vast parameter that reflects how the child is doing in his/her everyday life.
Here are a few ways schools can help children:
How can the physical well-being of students be looked after by schools?
Schools can provide activities that make children active, fit and healthy. They can involve children in physical activities like sports and athletics, games during breaks, and morning PT sessions on a regular basis. This will help their physical well-being.
How can the mental well-being of kids be taken care of?
Mental wellness is also related to physical health but during the class, teachers should encourage a platform and culture for sharing individual emotions and feelings. Children should be able to express themselves in front of others.
Also Read: 5 Mental Health Tips For School Leaders
How can schools take care of children’s social and intellectual well-being?
Schools should promote learning beyond the classroom which focuses on intellectual development and social skills like collaboration, empathy, and compassion. Such activities are counseling, co-curricular activities, and meditation sessions. These activities will surely help the intellectual development of children.
Are wellness programs beneficial for your school?
The answer is yes. Wellness programs have lots of benefits for the growth of your school such as:
1. Enhancing physical, mental, and social health of your school community. When children are in a balanced and happy stage, it provides motivation to caregivers. This means that they are more likely to support their children’s learning and development at home and at school.
2. Helping teachers tackle indiscipline in the class, at school, and at home. Wellness programs lead to a decrease in behavioural issues among children and staff. This means that they can create a safe and respectful learning environment for everyone.
3. Creating a positive work culture that can improve the school process. It increases the interaction between teachers and students and reduces the chances of conflicts. This means it can foster a sense of belonging and collaboration among all members of the school community.
4. Engaging community participation in your school which results in tackling a lot of behavioural issues among children and parents. This means that they can build trust and partnership with families and other stakeholders who can support your school’s vision and goals.
5. Improving student’s and teacher’s well-being by reducing anxiety, stress, and fear related to studying, tests, and academic success. This means that they can enhance their self-confidence, resilience, and creativity which are essential skills for learning.
6. Teaching coping strategies like mindfulness that are critical for using leisure and breaks from learning effectively. This means that they can manage their emotions, focus their attention, and relax their body which can improve their health outcomes.
7. Reducing absenteeism among teachers which costs schools more than other worksites. This means that they can retain qualified staff who can deliver high-quality instruction to students.
8. Helping schools watch their finances more closely by saving on healthcare costs associated with chronic diseases. This means that they can allocate more resources to other areas of improvement such as curriculum development or technology integration.
9. Setting an example for other schools to follow by promoting wellness as a smart school strategy. This means that they can inspire others to adopt similar practices that can benefit not only their own schools but also the wider education system.
In conclusion, wellness programs are essential for schools to foster a healthy and positive learning environment for everyone. They have multiple benefits for students, teachers, caregivers, and the community at large. They can improve physical, mental, and social well-being, reduce behavioural issues and absenteeism, enhance academic performance and creativity, save on healthcare costs, and set an example for other schools to follow. Wellness programs are not only a smart school strategy but also a moral responsibility for schools to promote well-being for all.
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