what does being healthy mean?
Earlier this year I had the joy and pleasure of presenting to the year 8 girls at Camberwell High School. For one of the activities I invited the girls to get into groups and brainstorm what being healthy means to them. This post is about what they came up with.
‘weight’ vs ‘health’
Before we dove into the activity, I unpacked the difference between focussing on weight vs focussing on health.
We can have health at every size and the focus should be on creating a lifestyle and diet that is enjoyable and sustainable. The goal should not be around changes to our appearance.
When we emphasise ‘weight,’ what we actually do is open the gateway for behaviours such as:
Skipping breakfast
Dieting and binge eating
Fasting
Vomiting after meals and using laxatives inappropriately
We see the opposite behaviours in those whose focus is on their ‘health’ rather than their ‘aesthetic’. They are more likely to:
Maintain relatively stable growth and development.
Move their body in a way that is enjoyable
Be in tune with their bodies need for rest, comfort, healthcare and movement.
Have high self-esteem
Prioritise getting enough food over having to get “healthy” foods.
Have lower rates of disordered eating and eating disorders.
It is not a bad thing to care about the way that you look. It is okay to want to put time and energy into the way we present ourselves, beauty can be a fun way of expressing our feelings and creativity. It becomes an issue when we are prioritising validation from others ABOVE our own wellbeing, health, and happiness.
a word from the year 8s
So, what does being healthy mean to Camberwell High School’s year 8s?
feeling good in our body
In order to know what it means to feel good in our body, we need to know when things aren't right too. being in tune with our bodies need for food, water and healthcare is so important.
prioritising sleep
The importance of sleep to recover, recharge, study and do the things that we enjoy cannot be overstated. Sleep research suggests that teenagers need between 8 and 10 hours of sleep every night.
taking care of our mental health
Our mental health and physical health are inextricably linked. Making time to rest, sharing when we are struggling, and taking time to refill our own cup is so important for overall health and wellbeing.
being socially active
Making time to connect and spend time with the people that bring us joy, lift us up and make us feel good can have a really positive influence on both our mood and energy levels.
putting on sunscreen
Melanoma is one of the most common cancers in young adults. We can protect our skin with sunscreen, by wearing a hat, sitting in the shade and getting regular skin checks.
having healthy relationships
The people that we have in our life have a huge influence on our self-worth, feeling of belonging and our identity. Surround yourself with people that lift you up and bring you joy.
taking a shower
Basic self-care like showering, brushing our teeth and brushing our hair gives us a few moments each day to prioritise our own health and wellbeing.
drinking lots of water
Keeping a water bottle with you on your desk, in your bag or even in your car is an easy way to remind yourself to have a couple of sips of water. Water is important for hydration, concentration and digestion.
With all of that in mind, what does being healthy mean to you? Take some time to sit with that question over the next day or so. For a long time I thought my health was solely dependant on my diet. I know now that there are so many other factors when it comes to health.
I hope that the thoughtful responses from the young people at Camberwell High School inspire you to look at health in a new way.
With joy and gratitude,
