August is National Wellness Month, which focuses on self-care, managing stress and promoting healthy routines*. This is a great reminder for students, staff and families to create healthy habits, especially during the school year, when schedules are often busy and there are several competing priorities.
Creating healthy habits includes:
- Mental Health and Wellness – According to neuroscience research, supporting mental health and wellness, along with possessing a growth mindset, embracing intellectual risk taking, and cultivating skills that foster resiliency, adaptability and optimism can play a significant role in optimizing learning at the highest levels for students so they may achieve their academic and personal goals. Visit our Prevention and Intervention webpage for more information about IUSD resources and supports.
- Social Wellness– Forming and maintaining connections to family, friends and community is critical for social and emotional wellness. While technology can help us easily engage with people, there is no replacement for real human contact, which provides important mental health benefits and prevents isolation. In fact, research shows that living in isolation is as bad for your health as smoking or high blood pressure. Click here for some ways to connected with others and to help form new bonds.
- Exercise – Get moving. Physical activity can improve your overall health and wellbeing. Research shows that exercise improves mental health and wellness and can help decrease stress.
- Sleep – Establish a sleep routine, which includes going to bed and getting up at the same time each day and getting 7-9 hours of sleep each night.
- Nutrition– Eat regular meals that include healthy foods and drink plenty of water. Click here for more information, resources and healthy eating tips for children, teens and adults.
- Time Management – With the start of school, schedules tend to fill up fast. On a calendar, block time by hour to see your child’s daily schedule. This will help both of you understand how they are spending their day, including school, homework, family time, extra-curricular activities and sleep. Together, you can identify and develop strategies for a balanced schedule.
Research has shown that self-care helps manage stress and physical health and can promote happiness. Making a small change can have a positive impact and set you up for a good start to the school year.
For more information and resources, visit iusd.org/Prevention.
*These tips should not be used as a substitute for medical advice or treatment from your doctor or mental health professionals.