HOY Update

An important, yet often overlooked facet of our health and wellbeing: movement. The mere act of moving does wonders for our bodies and brains and there are very important implications for our physical and mental health. One of the easiest and most effective ways to move is simply to walk. In a modern world when GPs are now prescribing walking as a form of treatment, the phrase ‘Feeling blue? Go green is all the more relevant.

Dr Roy Sugarman is a Clinical Neuropsychologist whose work is based on optimizing peak performance using an integrated brain-body approach. He identifies prolonged sitting as the real scourge of modern society and as such the most significant health risk. Controversially, Dr Sugarman argues that “sitting is your body’s way of telling your brain it’s time to die” and that “no civilization in History has ever flourished by sitting!” Furthermore, he states that within minutes of sitting, all electrical activity in the muscles ceases.

How much movement?

The Australian Government’s Department of Health provides 24-hour movement guidelines for children and young people (5 – 17 years). For optimal health benefits, our students should achieve the following:

• 60 minutes or more of moderate to vigorous physical activity per day
• Several hours of a variety of light physical activity
• Limiting sedentary recreational screen time to no more than 2 hours per day
• Breaking up long periods of sitting as often as possible

Being role models of movement

It is important to consider that as parents and teachers, we are role models of movement. Yet as adults, we can be notorious for minimizing or avoiding movement. It is easier to park as close as we can to our destination or drive to the local shops instead of walking. In our stressful working lives we can become desk-bound and when we make it home, it’s tempting to slump on the couch and watch TV. Maybe we could challenge ourselves to stand up during the ads! Perhaps we can invest in a standing desk so we can stand while we work!

School values and movement

By invoking our school values, it may be possible to further promote a culture of movement in the TGSHS community:

• Think Big by challenging what we normally do to walk more and make this sustainable
• Stepping Up by aiming for at least 10000 steps a day (wear a smartwatch to count steps)
• Paying It Forward by encouraging others to move by being a good role model
• Being Kind to ourselves by leading more active and less sedentary lifestyles

 Regular movement is imperative for our overall wellbeing, daily functioning, and ability to be learners who flourish.