This is the second part of an ongoing series focusing on aspects of the wellness wheel from a seasonal perspective.
Being well doesn’t just mean exercising regularly and eating the right kinds of foods. Caring for the environment is essential to maintaining a healthy planet, which helps us stay healthy and live long, fruitful lives. And being well emotionally translates into physical health. Wellness Coordinators are implementing environmental and emotional wellness activities throughout their districts, and they offer tips for how you can do the same at home.
To reduce the waste it sends to the local landfill, Romulus Central School launched a new initiative for the 2015-16 school year to collect 5-cent returnable bottles and cans in designated bins. This effort accompanies its existing food waste recycling.
Now, when students and staff throw away garbage, they do so in bins designated for trash, food waste, and bottles and cans. The food waste collected goes to compost bins, and will eventually be used in the school garden. Bottles and cans get returned to participating retailers for cash that will go toward funding a new playground.
The key to a successful recycling effort is getting students to participate, says Chris Puylara, Romulus preK-6 principal. If students are excited about these programs, it spreads to the rest of the school, he says.
“Getting the kids involved is the important part,” Puylara says. “Then staff will be motivated to set a good example.”
You don’t need a school program to boost your own environmental wellness. Puylara was inspired to recycle at home and began gardening—things you can do, too. Start small, with a simple gardening box or a few containers.
Not a gardener? There are a number of ways you can help the environment. Try using energy-efficient light bulbs, changing air filters regularly, replacing old heating and cooling equipment with Energy Star-qualified equipment, and reducing the amount of water you use, suggests the Environmental Protection Agency. For more tips, go to EPA.gov/climatechange/wycd/home.html.
At Seneca Falls Central School District, Wellness Coordinator Diane Neal is increasing focus on emotional health. Negativity can take a toll on your health, so it’s vital to channel that negativity and turn it into something positive, she says.
“Emotional wellness is the ability to change your attitude,” Neal says. “Sometimes you need to let go and let your emotions run a healthy course. Other times, if you can’t change the situation, change your outlook and attitude.”
Rest and relaxation are critical to emotional health. Neal offers multiple opportunities for staff at Seneca Falls to unwind, relax and increase awareness.
Zentangle. Zentangle is a meditative process of creating art. Simple shapes and lines combine to make a complicated and interesting piece of artwork. The focus is on the process.
Yin yoga. This is a type of yoga that emphasizes stretching, meditative breathing and mindfulness. Yin yoga targets areas of the body that are not typically exercised much during a more active style of yoga, including the connective tissue of the hips, pelvis and lower spine. If you’re interested, look for a yoga class that emphasizes “cooling down” and meditative components.
Coloring books. Neal distributes coloring books with complex designs as incentives and rewards for various challenges. Research has shown that coloring can increase feelings of happiness. You can find adult coloring books and pencils at most craft and book stores.
