As a result of the pandemic, health and wellness conversations exploded—forcing us to re-evaluate practices and products in use.
According to the Global Wellness Institute, wellness is an active pursuit, not a passive, static state of being happy or a state of wellbeing. Wellness involves choices, intentions, and actions taken to move toward a desired or ideal state of health. It is a multidimensional, holistic view incorporating physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, social, and environmental health.
As a school administrator, you can help support your faculty members in all areas of wellness by being informed and intentional in conversations and choices. Here are trends we see upcoming in 2022—and how they compare to recommendations shared in 2021. Plus we’ll share ideas for putting these to work.
Self-Care and Emotional Health
Taking care of emotional, mental, and spiritual needs became a necessity in the past two years. Practicing self-care used to include buying products and engaging in activities that would boost comfort and happiness. But in 2021, our understanding of what it means to effectively take care of ourselves expanded to our community.
Now in 2022, emotional wellness—the capacity to successfully navigate life’s stresses and adapt to change and difficulties—is expected to come to the forefront as stress-relieving products and practices grow in popularity. For example, certain herbs and mushrooms called adaptogens are becoming popular in the media—stores are stocking these products as people seek natural ways to support their ability to handle stress. Technology, like smartwatches and apps, are being used to track stress through heart rate variability.
Taking care of emotional health by identifying the sources of stress and alleviating those pressures is necessary—not just in your personal life, but in the workplace. Support your faculty members’ emotional wellness by fostering and sustaining a positive school climate. Communicate clearly with your staff and be available to discuss questions or concerns. Provide information and resources regarding stress and methods for managing it.
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Food and Immune Health
Food served as a form of comfort during the pandemic. And a rise in home-cooked meals meant a rise in nutritional awareness, including food choices that align with values like sustainability. Diet trends, like restrictive dieting, were exposed as unsustainable. These diets were replaced by practices like mindful or intuitive eating. People used personalized nutrition plans for their specific health circumstances.
With improved diet and increased nutrition awareness comes a boost in immune health, a trend that is here to stay in 2022. Prioritizing foods like fruits, whole grains, protein, probiotics, and vegetables promotes immunity.
Another aspect of immune health is being more mindful of sleep. A consistent bedtime and wake-up time is key to overall health and wellness. Encourage your faculty and staff to use sleep tracking devices and practice other healthy sleeping practices—like avoiding electronics several hours before bedtime.
When it comes to the workplace, school administrators can promote immune health by modeling healthy action steps to achieve it. Initiate conversations about ways to holistically boost immunity. Start a “sleep challenge” or introduce other ways to motivate staff to engage in new habits or routines.
Physical Fitness and Mental Fitness
Home workouts via YouTube videos and apps increased exponentially in 2021 as some gyms and workout facilities were still closed. Digital fitness products and brands sought ways to foster community among their users. These platforms aimed to increase connection with trainers in order to replicate the benefits of a live class in a virtual setting.
Home workouts are not going anywhere, especially as mental fitness and health continue to be emphasized in 2022. The pandemic helped remove mental health stigmas and start honest conversations on social media platforms. Mental health support initiatives, like therapy and coaching, became more acceptable in the workplace and in schools.
Digital healthcare, including mental health services, developed and expanded as a result of the pandemic. Virtual meetings with therapists and specialists will remain popular, as will meditation apps that make mindfulness and breathing exercises accessible anywhere, anytime.
As a school administrator, encourage teachers to make time to take care of their mental health. Set reasonable expectations and personally check in with faculty members. Create opportunities for teachers to connect with one another and ensure they feel equipped to support students, but also ensure they know where to seek support for themselves.
Wellness is not a static achievement. Rather, it is an active process involving intentional steps to maintain your desired level of health across many areas. When it comes to promoting wellness at your school, consider these trends in 2022 as ways to inform and support your teachers.
