Teachers are in a good position to act as positive role models for students, parents and the community. A teacher who is on a personal journey to wellness – including healthy habits such as healthy eating and regular physical activity – can have a good influence on the health of students and others.

Links Between Health and Education
School communities are increasingly becoming places where healthy habits can flourish.
As more and more schools, parents, students and communities realize the strong links between health and education, the more progress there can be towards healthy choices and lifestyles for more students.

In Alberta, a growing number of school jurisdictions are implementing policies for healthy school communities.  This typically involves promoting positive social environments at school, along with healthy eating and active living.

Positive modelling by administrators and teachers in schools can be an important step in support of such policies and actions, because it helps show leadership and commitment that others (e.g., students and parents) can see is real.

The responsibility for boosting healthy habits does not fall only on teachers. Keep in mind that you are not aiming for “perfection” but rather to simply show an increased openness and consistency of action when it comes to healthy habits.

No doubt, on most days, your students are watching you; what you eat, how active you are, and how you express your feelings.  You are probably already modeling many types of positive behaviours, so adding healthy habits to the mix can be part of that, such as modelling healthy eating habits and being physically active.

It’s Your Health, Too!
Here is the great part.  When you model healthy habits, your own health improves! 

By making mindful decisions to support positive social environments, eat healthy foods, and be physically active, you will probably find that you are more alert, have more energy, smile more, remember more and generally feel better about yourself. All of these factors can help make you a good model and a great person to be around!

[new]
Here are a few more benefits to teachers and students that are associated with healthy habits:

• Increased physical activity is linked to increased energy, reduced risk of chronic disease, improved mental health and improved brain function.
• Healthy eating can help maintain a healthy body weight, provide the proper fuel for sustained energy throughout the day, and even assist with managing health issues or concerns, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
• Creating or supporting positive social environments increases connections among people in school communities and helps students to feel a greater sense of self-value.

Set Small Goals First
To help you achieve your “healthy habit” goals, set small goals first. As you experience success in meeting early goals, you can then set new goals!

Here are some simple tips to get you going:

• Healthy Eating
  • Eat more fruits and vegetables at snack time.
  • Bring healthy foods for lunch.
  • Offer healthy food options at staff meetings and parent council meetings.

• Positive Social Environments
  • “Choose your mood” each day; aim to recognize your different moods and choose to improve your outlook or attitude, or how you express yourself, when necessary.
  • Always welcome students to your class with a smile!

• Physical Activity
  • Get you and your co-workers moving! Consider having a boot-camp; organize a yoga or pilates class for staff, at a convenient time; or start a staff activity, such as a running group or volleyball team.
  • Aim to go for a walk (indoors or outdoors) during part of your lunch hour; try to do this two or three times a week, for starters. Invite others to come along!

Teachers ARE role models and inspire students every day.  Your demonstration of healthy habits not only benefits you, but can also positively influence the health-related choices made by others. Keep up the good work and enjoy the journey towards better health! 

[endpage]
Learn More
Alberta Health Services: Information for Schools and Teachers

Ever Active Schools
For teachers in Alberta, offers a range of resources, links, teacher wellness ideas and opportunities for professional development.

Making the Grade – Positive Mental Health Practices in School.
A helpful resource from the Joint Consortium on School Health. Offers research and ideas for modeling mental health.