January 18, 2023
AHA Blog: AHA Sees Benefits from Wellness Wednesday
In 2019, the Academy of the Holy Angels launched Wellness Wednesday, a collection of stress-busting activities that help educate the whole person, and promote durable learning. During community time, a morning flex period, the Academy participates in positive stress-management techniques that allow participants to try something new, connect with other Angels, and return to class ready for new challenges.
Options at the upper school have included journaling, art therapy, kickball, fitness training, Frisbee, laughter yoga, meditation, coloring for relaxation, tennis, karaoke, doodling, and more. The middle school hosts its own activities.
AHA Upper School Principal Jean Miller gives Wellness Wednesday good grades, and believes this endeavor can be even more beneficial. She hopes students realize the importance of finding positive ways to address stress and anxiety.
“I wish more people took advantage of trying something new,” Mrs. Miller shared. “Overall, I’ve noticed that taking small break in the middle of the morning is very helpful to my own ability to focus on my work, and I am sure there are others who have experienced this. I have learned that I can address stress, anxiety, and exhaustion by doing things I enjoy each day instead of feeling like I had to wait until Friday night or Saturday to relax. Some nights, I am exhausted and stressed when I get home from work.
“I’ve learned that a quick 10 to 15-minute walk does wonders for my mood and attitude. Paying attention to my mental and emotional health takes work. I have to invest the time in myself and take advantage of all of the possible opportunities that present themselves.”
Mrs. Miller said she loves joining in the Academy’s Wellness Wednesday activities.
“My favorite ones are given by the art department,” she said. “If I am not there, I am either walking or crocheting!”
Current art department activities include Buddha Board Painting, which is offered by art and technology teacher Christine Wraga DeGennaro.
“Buddha boards are boards made with a special fabric that you ‘paint’ on with water and a bamboo brush,” she explained. “The students can paint anything they wish, including landscapes, objects, or maybe even write down a worry they have that is bothering them. After painting, the students put down their brushes and, as the surface of the board begins dry, the picture or writing fades until it disappears. I ask the students to watch this process as a practice of mindfulness, which takes a few minutes.”
She said this activity encourages creativity and allows students to watch their worry or scene dissolve.
Lauren (’24) also relaxes through artistic activities.
“My favorite Wellness Wednesday activity is Ms. (Kathryn) Biskup’s open studio in KH3,” Lauren said. “I am a very artistic person, and I love using art as a way to decompress. Because you are allowed to make art from any sort of medium, it is a stress-free way to relax and unwind. I also love the atmosphere of Kelleher Hall because I find it calming.”
Faculty member Jonathan Blevis moderates Mandala Making. This art form requires patience and precision, he said, and many students find it relaxing to come up with their own art.
“It is a great way to meet up with friends and just re-center for a little while,” he added.
AnneMarie Ryan takes Wellness Wednesday in a whimsical direction with hula hoops.
“Students stop by on their way to another activity, but you cannot say ‘hula hoop’ without smiling,” this teacher said. “It is a physical activity that equates with fun.”
George Maize, who joined the AHA faculty in September, started a gospel choir.
“Singing manages stress by redirecting the focus of the human brain,” he explained. “A good example would be walking into a room where a person is sitting in deep thought, perhaps about a problem. If I walk in the room and start singing ‘Happy Birthday,’ immediately that person’s mind would be redirected to think about birthdays. This is just one illustration of the extraordinary power of music to manage stress.”
Annika (AHA ’24) looks forward to bracelet making on Wellness Wednesdays. She and her friends make the most of the opportunity to sit together and talk about their days while they design matching bracelets.
Inha (AHA ’25) likes to connect with her friends as they walk the track.
“This activity helps me manage my stress because I get to feel the good breeze outside and get some fresh air,” Inha shared. “It helps to distract me from all the stress from the tests and homework.”
Cristyn (’28) also looks forward to walking the track. For this Angel, it’s not so much about de-stressing, but about increasing her energy and concentration.
“Fresh air energizes me and provides me with a refreshed focus for the rest of the day,” Cristyn explained. “Walking on the track is also relaxing as we need exercise as students are sitting in classrooms all day. It also gives students the opportunity to talk to friends about a variety of topics, such as activities we participate in after school, homework, projects, and more.”