Middle Years 

Fostering Wellbeing

Following on from the amazing Wellness Week, I am writing about how we can foster wellbeing, and here are four practical tips that we are encouraging in myPEC.

Notice the positives

Ask your child to reflect on three things that have gone well for them over the course of the week. This is not about teaching children to “ignore the bad stuff” or about “making things up”, but rather “taking the time to stop and notice the many good things, small things, that happen every day”. Over time, this activity has the potential to reduce children’s “innate negativity bias” and hardwire their brains to think more positively.

Help students to step out of 'panic mode'

By practising meditation, we can reduce the negative effects of stress, even if students arrive at school feeling anxious. By getting students to adopt a strong, confident posture, by getting

them to tune into their in breath and their out breath, they can find their sense of calm.

Get more exercise

Physical activity releases “happy hormones” such as endorphins and dopamine, which lower levels of stress and anxiety. Exercise can improve cognition, and therefore make students feel more alert in lessons. Set aside thirty minutes each day and dedicate this time to physical activity. Exercise is one of the best things we can do for our physical and mental health.

Random acts of kindness

Studies have shown that generosity makes us feel happier. We encourage our students to perform “random acts of kindness” for other people in their community. Kindness not only feels good, but it does us good. We can always choose to be kind. Daniel Goleman says we are wired for kindness.

Julia Winter Cooke