{"id":1827,"date":"2016-03-12T00:08:13","date_gmt":"2016-03-11T13:08:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sydney.edu.au\/education-portfolio\/ei\/teaching@sydney\/?p=1827"},"modified":"2016-09-12T18:05:25","modified_gmt":"2016-09-12T08:05:25","slug":"handy-hints-health-wellbeing-inside-classroom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/educational-innovation.sydney.edu.au\/teaching@sydney\/handy-hints-health-wellbeing-inside-classroom\/","title":{"rendered":"Handy hints for health and wellbeing inside the classroom"},"content":{"rendered":"

Move more, sit less<\/h3>\n

According to a 2013 survey of University of Sydney staff and students<\/a>, many of us don\u2019t get enough daily physical activity or exercise. Regular physical activity provides a range of positive health benefits, including improvements in cognitive functioning and wellbeing \u2013 both areas of huge benefit for students and staff alike.\"Move<\/p>\n

Healthy Sydney University<\/a> recommends the following opportunities inside the classroom to encourage your colleagues and students to move more, sit less. These opportunities will ensure you and your students remain focused, engaged, attentive and healthy.<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Stand and stretch<\/strong>
    \nInclude a     brief standing break<\/a> during long periods of sitting, such as lectures and seminars<\/li>\n
  2. Take the lead<\/strong>
    \nUse the lapel microphone in lectures and seminars to lead discussions while on the move<\/li>\n
  3. Break it up<\/strong>
    \nEncourage group work to allow students to meet and move during longer classroom sessions<\/li>\n
  4. Tailor the timetable<\/strong>
    \nConsult with the timetabling unit to include a change of room after a lecture or tutorial for a brisk walk between classes<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Mental wellbeing<\/h3>\n

    In 2015, Healthy Sydney University conducted a review of the scientific literature, looking at the most effective university-wide strategies and approaches that higher education institutions can implement to promote the mental wellbeing of their students.<\/p>\n

    \"Mental<\/p>\n

    The results have been summarized in \u2018A blueprint for student mental wellbeing<\/a>\u2019 factsheet, which encourages academic staff to consider:<\/p>\n