Wellness Activities for Students: Fostering Holistic Development

In recent years, schools have increasingly focused on fostering wellness to address the broader spectrum of students’ social, emotional, and cognitive needs. Learning, then, is not just based on the subject matter placed in front of us but instead on the context in which we learn and the ways that we can make meaning of that subject matter. In other words, it is dependent on the relationships students have with their teachers, their peers, and their connection to the subject matter they study. Schools are introducing comprehensive programs that focus on these principles, in part to help improve student wellness and accelerate academic learning in the aftermath of COVID-19. Fortunately, there are many things district and school leaders can do to promote these effects in their schools.

The Importance of Wellness in Education

Wellness in education is the practice of supporting students' physical, mental, social, and spiritual health. While there are multiple Dimensions of Health & Wellness, there are four key dimensions for school-aged students: Physical, Mental, Social, and Spiritual (Spiritual not being exclusively religious). As teachers, it’s important to help our students reflect upon their own feelings, behavior, and lifestyle. This resource gives students the opportunity to talk with their classmates in a small group about topics related to wellness including academics, healthy habits, relationships, and physical and mental health. With such high-paced and overwhelming schedules and responsibilities, we tend to forget about ourselves and our well-being. Prioritize yourself and your health every day with these printable self-care planners and checklists!

The Science of Learning Development (SoLD)

The Science of Learning Development (SoLD) indicates that effective teaching that supports learning and development incorporates student agency and personalizing learning, beginning at an early age. We know so much more about learning today than we did 20 years ago, and we can now deliver effective curricula and instruction that advance learning and development principles beginning at an early age.

The Role of School Connectedness

According to the CDC, 37% of high school students reported poor mental health, specifically during the Covid pandemic. In addition, 44% reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness in 2021. Thankfully, the same study found a solution: School connectedness. Or, more specifically, those students who reported feeling connected to adults or other students at school, were less likely to feel sad or anxious. That's why it's crucial for teachers to be proactive in supporting the mental health of their students.

Wellness Activities for Students

There are many wellness activities for students that teachers can incorporate into their classrooms. Here are some of our favorites:

Read also: Guide to Female Sexual Wellness

Talk About Wellness and Wellbeing

One of the most important things you can do as a teacher is to open a dialogue about mental health with your students. Having discussions about wellness will help normalize the topic and make it easier for students to talk about their own mental health struggles. Not only will talking about wellness create a safe space for students to discuss their own issues, it gives the entire class the skills to recognize mental health problems. High school students, and even college students, spend most of their day at school, so being surrounded by those aware of the signs creates a powerful support system. You can start by talking about your own experience with mental health (and teacher's mental health is a rising issue!) or share an article on the topic. Then, open the floor for discussion. Just bringing up the topic is a great way to get to know your students and their individual needs. The Take the Temperature Slides With Friends deck is a quick, easy way to get the general feeling for how your classroom is doing. And you can use the deck with remote, in-person, or hybrid classes.

Emoji Check-Ins

Part of creating an environment of wellness and wellbeing in the classroom is giving students access to the vocabulary to express how they're feeling. In fact, studies have found on average, people can only identify about 3 emotions, not at all enough to describe the wide range of feelings humans (and especially teenagers!) feel on a daily basis. “If we want to find the way back to ourselves and one another, we need language,” she writes, “and the grounded confidence to both tell our stories and to be stewards of the stories that we hear.” One way to lower the barrier of discussing emotions is to use pictures, or in this case emoji’s. Emoji check-ins are a great way to get a quick pulse on how your students are feeling. At the beginning of class, have students choose an emoji that represents how they're feeling. This is a non-verbal way for students to share how they're doing without having to share their feelings out loud.

Yoga

One of our favorite wellness activities for students is yoga. Yoga has been shown to be beneficial for mental health, as it can help reduce stress and anxiety. It's also a great way to get students moving their bodies and getting some exercise. Jai Sugrim is a New York yoga teacher and creator of a yoga curriculum for high school students. His goal is to teach mindfulness and awareness in the classroom, so it can be applied outside the classroom. “We’re looking for kids to reduce their anxiety levels, have a tool in their back pocket, to adjust their physiology, their posture, their breathing, to access a relaxed and focused state for test-taking, anxiety, or problems at home.” There are several resources for those looking for easy yoga poses for high school students, including this sequence designed just for teens. And check out Yoga with Adriene for a 20-minute yoga practice designed just for teenagers.

Journaling

Another great wellness activity for students is journaling. Journaling can help students process their thoughts and feelings, and it's a great way for them to express themselves creatively. There are 3 ways we love to see journaling used in the classroom to support student wellness. The first is to provide a writing prompt focused on processing and accessing emotions. A prompt encourages students to think about feelings they might not normally access. The second way to encourage journaling is a bit more involved, but worth the effort. Print off bullet journal pages for students to put in a binder with mood and trigger trackers. Students can mark how they're feeling, what habits they're keeping, or even just indicate what's going on in their lives. Bullet journal pages are almost like unspoken writing prompts! Finally, have student’s journal about what they're grateful for daily. Gratitude has been found to decrease anxiety and support mental health. Taking a few minutes a day to focus on the good in life can really help students manage their daily stress. If you don't have time to have student’s journal during class, you can assign it as homework or give them extra credit for doing it on their own time. Journaling can be a powerful tool for self-reflection, stress management, and personal growth. These Wellness Wednesday topics encourage students to explore their thoughts, emotions, and well-being.

Mindfulness Moments

Mindfulness is another excellent tool for supporting the mental health of students. Mindfulness can help students focus and pay attention, as well as reduce stress and anxiety. “The better we get at being mindful, the more fluid life becomes and the better we become at responding skillfully to each moment. It becomes easier for us to choose healthy coping strategies in the moment, such as taking a break and having a cup of tea outside under a tree, rather than demolishing a bag of chocolate chip cookies. It can also allow for faster recovery from stressors when they arise, as they inevitably do.” There are many mindfulness activities that you can do with your students, such as deep breathing exercises, guided visualization, or even just a few minutes of silence. You can also incorporate meditation into these mindfulness moments. Meditation can be a great way for students to calm their minds and bodies.

Art Therapy

Art therapy is a great way for students to express themselves creatively and process their emotions. This form of therapy can also be very relaxing and therapeutic, reducing stress and anxiety in children and adults alike. One simple way to encourage art therapy in the classroom is to provide coloring sheets or adult coloring books for students. These low-cost creative outlets serve as fantastic stress reducers. Let your students know they can have access to the coloring station whenever they have free time or the need.

Nature Scavenger Hunts

Scavenger hunts are a great way to get students up and moving, which has been found to improve health and wellness. However, when you connect a scavenger walk or hunt with the great outdoors, you give students the added benefit of being outside. Spending just 30 minutes a day outside reduces stress levels, helps social interactions, reduces ADHD symptoms, and even boosts standardized testing scores! And putting together a nature scavenger hunt doesn't have to be difficult. You can hide items around your school grounds or even take a walk through a nearby park. Check out these printable lists for ideas. For older students, try a photo scavenger hunt by using Slide With Friends Scavenger Hunt Challenge. Customize the prompts to ask for pictures of nature and send the class out, then gather again for a time of photo sharing. Scavenger hunts are a fun activity for the whole class and they can help students appreciate the world around them.

Words of Affirmation

Words of affirmation are a simple but powerful way to show your students that you care about them. And, because we adore science here at Slides With Friends, we have to point out words of affirmation improve moods and encourage positive habit changes. Whether it's telling them they did a great job on their latest assignment or just saying something like "I'm so glad you're here," words of affirmation can go a long way in supporting the mental health of your students.

Health and Wellness Bingo

To start off strong, we’ve created a bingo board packed with 24 wellness activities for students-or for anyone easing out of summer and into a new routine. One great thing about this bingo board? There’s no studying necessary. Choose the activities that feel best to you. Whether you complete a bingo or not, you’ll be prioritizing your well-being with each one.

Additional Wellness Activities

Here are some additional wellness activities for students:

Read also: 20 Tips for a Healthy Student Life

Physical Activities

Capture the Flag: This classic outdoor game promotes exercise, teamwork, and strategic thinking while enjoying the fresh air.
Obstacle Course Challenge: Creating an obstacle course can be a fun and engaging way to improve children’s coordination, agility, and strength.
Soccer: Soccer is a fantastic way for students to engage in cardiovascular exercise while learning the importance of teamwork and sportsmanship.
Basketball: Basketball is another excellent team sport that promotes fitness and hand-eye coordination.
Dance Parties: Organizing dance parties can be a fantastic way to get children moving and expressing themselves creatively.
Zumba: Zumba classes combine music and movement to create a fun workout environment. These classes are designed specifically for children, incorporating age-appropriate choreography that encourages cardiovascular fitness and rhythm.

Mental Health Activities

Kids Yoga: Yoga is an excellent way to promote relaxation, flexibility, and mindfulness in children.
Guided Stretching Sessions: Simple stretching sessions can be incorporated into the school day to promote relaxation and physical well-being.
Mindfulness Minute: Incorporating a “Mindfulness Minute” into the school day allows students to practice being present and aware.
Gratitude Journaling: Encouraging students to keep gratitude journals can foster a positive mindset and emotional well-being.
Depression Word Search: This engaging activity includes 20 words related to feelings such as sadness, hopelessness, loneliness, anxiety, and self-doubt.

Nutritional Activities

Cooking Workshops: Organizing cooking workshops can teach students about nutrition and the importance of maintaining a healthy diet while providing hands-on experiences in the kitchen.
School Garden: Creating a school garden can provide students with practical knowledge about where their food comes from and the importance of healthy eating.

Community and Social Connection Activities

Organizing a Health Fair: Schools can organize health and wellness fairs to encourage families to participate in healthy activities.
Charity Walks or Runs: Organizing charity runs or walks can promote physical activity while raising funds for a good cause.
Thrive Pathways: Use this seasonal social connections tracker as an opportunity to educate students about the mental and physical health benefits of strong social connections. This tracker can open conversations about healthy relationships and well-being.

Educational Activities

Health Education Classes: Schools can incorporate health education classes into their curriculum to teach students about nutrition, exercise, mental health, and wellness practices.
Thematic Units: Integrating health and wellness themes into other subjects can enhance learning experiences.
The Wellness Triangle Mini-Lesson: This is an interactive Google Slides lesson to introduce the health triangle concept with a focus on teaching the difference between one's physical, social, and mental/emotional health.

Family Involvement

Family Fitness Challenges: Encouraging family members to participate in fitness challenges can promote healthy habits at home.
Family Fun Nights: Hosting family fun nights focused on health and wellness can create opportunities for family members to bond and engage in healthy activities together.

Technology Integration

Health and Wellness Apps: Incorporating technology into health education can make learning about wellness more engaging.
Online Workouts: As technology evolves, schools can take advantage of online fitness classes and videos.

The Power of Being There for Students

Finally, one of the best ways to support the mental health of your students is to simply be there for them. Listen to them when they need to talk, and let them know that you care. Showing your students you are invested in their wellbeing can make a huge difference in their lives.

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