The CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) stated a student that is healthy is set to be a better learner. So proper nutrition, a good sleep schedule, surrounding yourself around good people are great benefits to have because not only students being physically healthy which can help with lifelong diseases and being mentally healthy which can help with self-image, but can also help students in school pay attention more, provide their best work in class, and be in a better mood.
Aspen Parker a Health teacher at Kearns High School who educates student grades 9th-12th on public health and personal health was asked the following question “Do you think mental health is just as important as physical health” and her response was this.
“Yes, and here’s why, I mean our mental health is part of our physical health. It is our brain; our brain is an organ and if we don’t nurture it the way we do for the rest of our physical health we are not going to be healthy. That’s where depression comes in that’s where suicide comes in. All these negative aspects of life are because you’re not nurturing your mental the same as your physical and that’s why I strongly believe it’s just as important.”
Aspen Parker was also asked “How do you think physical, mental, emotional health can affect students and their education” and here are her responses.
Physical- “If we are not physically adequate with our personal body it’s hard for us to do simple tasks like wake up in the morning and get to school. If we are not eating and feeding our bodies physically it’s hard to focus on our education. Many classes are lecture based and it can be very long and hard. Imagine you didn’t get enough sleep the other night, you’re not going to be coherent during that class and not learn anything. It’s much more difficult to focus when we’re physically not here.”
Mental- “High school is such a hard age. That’s when all these different hormones are coming in and we are finally becoming more aware of doing things on our own. And starting to learn self-control and self-awareness. I think it’s important for students to be aware that it’s not going to be forever the way your mind is racing all the time and to find a good thing that brings you peace. Because it affects all your learning and your experience and if you’re feeling down mentally it’ll affect all aspects you’re not going to want to socialize as much such as hang out with your friends and family.
Emotional- “Emotional health is similar to mental health which can go hand and hand. At this age we are starting to learn how to manage our emotions because they are way more heightened with all the hormones being released. Emotions is coming into self-control. Example if I’m in a student position and I’m feeling super emotional about an experience that happened outside of school it’s going to be hard for me to focus in school, so what I’d do for myself is remember that my outside life doesn’t always have to be brought into my school life, because it’s going to affect everything, Sometimes you can’t control that. I recommended trying to work on your thought process and remind yourself that you will be able to work through this. Communicate with peers who can help you get through it.”
The last question asked to Aspen Parker was “What are some trends you see nowadays people do for their health?” and responded with this. “With social media expanding the way that it is, a lot of people are coming out with their personal things for any kind of health. Some trends that I have seen are people starting to make their own food and own gardens. A lot of my friends and people out in the world are starting to make their own bread and grow their own vegetables and fruits and use those as their natural resources. Going on more of the natural side of things even when it comes to things like colds and feeling sick. A lot of things I see right now are instead of going to the store and getting medicine like NyQuil and Dayquil they find that things like honey and tea help a lot more. So, I think the trends right now are going on the more natural side of things when it comes to health, like what is the most natural thing for my body.”
In conclusion, health plays a vital role in students’ education, whether it’s mental, physical, or emotional. Always remember all health is important at any age. Take care of them all.
