Wellbeing & Inclusion 

at Willy

Willy Kids as Wellbeing Experts - The Importance of Having Fun

It has been wonderful to see the Year Three students delving into the importance of staying active and healthy in order to achieve physical and emotional wellbeing. This has been the Inquiry project of these Willy Kids, and they have learnt so much about themselves and our community and all the different ways to flourish in life. From eating healthy foods and investigating food choices, to promoting active lifestyles, to exploring the wellbeing of communities, the Year Three students have become quite the experts! 

Violet in 3W presented her findings about the importance of having fun as a way to care for emotional wellbeing. Having fun is just as important for our mental health as getting enough sleep and eating healthy food. Fun activities help us relax and reduce stress, boost our mood, and give us something to look forward to. 

Thanks to Violet, we were intrigued and thought we would learn more about the importance of having fun!

The Stress Reliever 

We all need a break from stress and tension every once in a while, and nothing does that better than having fun. Taking part in enjoyable activities can help reduce stress levels, allowing us to take a step back from the pressures of everyday life and recharge our batteries. Whether it’s playing sports, going on outdoor adventures, or taking part in creative pursuits like painting or writing, taking time out to have fun is crucial for managing stress levels and keeping yourself mentally healthy.   

Improving Mood & Mental Wellbeing 

Having fun also has positive effects on mood and mental wellbeing. Studies have shown that participating in leisure activities such as reading books, playing video games or simply spending time with family and friends can help improve happiness levels by releasing endorphins—the body’s natural feel-good hormones—into the bloodstream. Doing something you enjoy can also make you more optimistic about life, helping to combat feelings of depression or low self-esteem which would otherwise take hold if we didn’t take regular breaks from our routines. 

Strengthening Relationships 

Finally, taking part in enjoyable activities can strengthen relationships with family members, friends and co-workers—something which is essential for staying mentally healthy. When we spend quality time together doing something we both enjoy, not only will it give us time away from our daily stresses but it will also bring us closer together emotionally which is vital for maintaining strong relationships within our personal lives as well as at work. 

Thank you Year Three students for researching such an important topic, and one that we can practise every day in the upcoming holidays! We look forward to hearing about all the fun activities our Willy Kids get up to when we return to school  in Term 3. 

Kind regards,

Lisa Leydin                                                                 Anna Swan

Assistant Principal                                                   Learning Specialist

Disability, Inclusion & Wellbeing                         Mental Health & Wellbeing Leader (Wed–Fri)