Tips for Promoting School Employee Wellness

You can have an employee wellness program and follow CDC Guidelines for Operating Schools During COVID-19.

 

  • Wellness is more important than ever during the COVID-19 pandemic. In a March 2020 survey,1 teachers were asked to describe the emotions they felt most often each day. Anxiety was by far the most common.
  • Physical activity can lower stress and anxiety.2
  • School employees who model good physical and mental health behaviors help support students’ health and academic success.
  • Wellness activities can be simple and don’t necessarily take a lot of time or resources.
  • Wellness programs can be organized by administrators, school health teams, or even a single school staff member wanting to make a difference.
Adult woman exercising at the running track wearing a facemask
Download this tip sheet pdf icon[PDF - 511 KB] for help with starting a school employee wellness program.

Consider trying some of these employee wellness activities to support physical and mental health, even in a virtual environment.

 

  • Remind staff about employee assistance programs with access to resources, referrals, and counseling.
  • Recognize staff contributions and achievements, and celebrate milestones with others.
  • Hold exercise challenges (e.g., steps challenge, exercise minutes challenge).
  • Find and share stress management and mental health resources and information.
  • Build in physical activity breaks during the school day (can be done along with students).

Other tips you can try!

 

  • Have mindfulness meditation breaks for staff and students during the school day.
  • Hold 5-minute mindfulness conference calls for staff.
  • Provide or attend professional development on social-emotional skills, trauma-informed approaches (understanding the impact of trauma on the individual), and resilience.