Working on Well-Being with Dr. Greg Wells
Our April 16 Parent Evening featured Dr Greg Wells, a physiologist, an exercise medicine researcher at Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children, and a professor of kinesiology at the University of Toronto.
Introducing him, Carla DiFilippo, Director of Student Life, explained how Dr Wells has been working with Greenwood teachers and staff to help us set priorities in our lives, and think about ways to continue to work with students in these areas starting in September.
Dr Wells focused his talk on four main topics; sleeping, thinking, eating, and moving. There are areas of our lives that we have control over and that small changes are both free and hugely beneficial to over overall physical and mental health.
Sleeping Well
New research on sleep has brought to light new knowledge that our brain, when we are asleep, is actually washed. Neurons shrink and a clear fluid washes through. This new research added to an already significant body research about the five stages of sleep and the need for adults to sleep 7 and a half hours and teens needing 9 to 10 hours of sleep each night.
Sleep and interesting facts:
- The type of light given off by TV’s, laptops and phones disrupts our production of melatonin and thus disrupts falling asleep.
- Although digital readers have a different type of light, they are still disruptive. Dr Wells suggested low level side lamps for evening reading.
Teens and Sleep
- Dr Wells suggested that if teens are doing school work late into the evening consistently, that we consider looking at how time is spent during the day. At Greenwood, we continue to help students with time management and prioritizing. With our focus on well-being, we will continue to support students and help them develop strategies to work efficiently during the day. In addition, teachers collaborate to space assessments as best they can and when possible, allot class time for students to get a start on their homework.
- It does not work to simply tell teens “you need to sleep more.” They respond more to why more sleep will help them reach their goals. They are interested in the science of sleep and their brains.
Eating Smarter
Dr Wells shared not only facts on nutrition but recipes as well!
Healthy proteins, carbohydrates and fats contribute to our overall well-being and longevity.
He did warn us that sugar has a negative impact by depleting energy needed for learning specifically in the area of the brain called the hippocampus.
Suggestions:
- Organic meat from grass fed animals has healthier fats
- You can control the food you have in your home. Snacks that are considered ‘treats” are alright occasionally but having them in the house all the time makes you more likely to indulge.
- Eating well directly impacts our energy, happiness and overall health
- It is something within our control to change in order to live well and live longer
Moving More
Did you know that people who exercise daily have 75% fewer colds and flus?
And that if you walk at least 15 minutes a day and add in some yoga, that the benefits on overall health are significant?
Dr Wells noted the importance of considering both cardiovascular exercise such as cycling and swimming and strength exercising such as yoga or lifting weights. Cardiovascular extends life span while the strength exercising improves your over health during that life span.
His facts and discussion were compelling,especially as he noted the positive correlation between movement and academics, walking and creativity and the impact of being in nature and increasing problem solving skills.
Thinking Clearly
As the evening was drawing to a close there was so much more to talk about. Dr Wells ended the evening sharing with us how our sleep and what we eat and how we exercise all helps us think clearly.
We are living in a world where our most important work is not about memorizing information but thinking about problems and tinkering and grappling with complex ideas.
He shared the research on mediation and mindfulness. It is important that we take time to focus on our inner selves in order to live happy and productive lives.
Within that message he ended the evening with a reminder to never forget joy. That feeling of happiness and engagement in what we do is what we should strive for.
This is why we are looking forward to our students learning from Dr. Wells next year as we continue our commitment to understanding and focusing on personalized learning and well-being within our school community.
Dr. Greg Well’s book The Ripple Effect shares more information and research on sleeping , eating, moving and thinking. In his word, it helps people “live better, not harder”.
Greenwood College School
443 Mount Pleasant Road
Toronto, ON M4S 2L8
Tel: 416 482 9811
Toronto, ON M4S 2L8
Tel: 416 482 9811
We acknowledge with gratitude the Ancestral lands upon which our main campus is situated. These lands are the Ancestral territories of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, Anishinabek and the Wendake. The shared responsibility of this land is honoured in the Dish with One Spoon Treaty and we strive to care for the land, the waters, and all creatures in the spirit of peace. We are responsible for respecting and supporting the enduring presence of all First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples. When away from this campus we vow to be respectful to the land by protecting and honouring it. We will create relationships with the people and the land we may visit by understanding the territories we enter and the nations who inhabit them.
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