Our group believes well-being isn’t just mental, it’s also about caring for our bodies. Through a survey we have previously sent out to our year 7 and 8 students, we’ve noticed that younger students often lack understanding of physical well-being, which is more than just playing sports. It’s about building healthy habits like getting enough sleep, eating well, staying active, and limiting screen time. These habits help us feel better, focus in class, and support our mental, spiritual, and social well-being.
After sending out a survey to year 7 and 8s, we have found that many students don’t yet understand what physical wellbeing means or how to apply it. While PE classes are a great way to get moving, they often focus on games and activities rather than teaching why physical activity matters and how it helps our bodies and minds. As a result, some students may not see the value in staying active outside of class or making healthy choices every day.
To tackle this, our team has started a project focused on educating and empowering younger students with the knowledge and tools they need to improve their physical well-being. One exciting part of this project is that we have created a website packed with resources, tips, games and challenges to help students learn more about physical wellbeing and how to incorporate healthy habits into their daily routines. Click HERE to see the website.
It’s important for 11 to 13-year-olds to stay on top of their physical well-being. They can do this by following these 5 easy daily habits that you can add to your routine to improve physical well-being:
- Eat balanced meals → Include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and proteins.
- Stay active → Aim for at least 30 minutes of movement, like walking or stretching.
- Drink water → Keep hydrated throughout the day.
- Get enough sleep → Try for 8-10 hours each night.
- Take breaks to relax → Breathe deeply, stretch, or enjoy a quiet moment.
Next week, our group will be running lessons with some year 8s based on information around physical wellbeing and how and why it’s important. We will also be producing tools such as a website, posters, and pamphlets that both year 7 and 8’s can use to educate themselves on physical wellbeing.
– By Nicola O’leary, Brooke Ritson, Libby Stevenson and Zoe Putnam
