Wellness Day is an annual event at Pine Bush High School where ninth-grade students take part in various workshops with the goal of achieving self-care and overall wellness.
One workshop was devoted to stress reduction, providing students with tools to incorporate into their daily lives to help manage outside stressors.
Some workshops focused on incorporating exercise into their lives. There was Karate, high-intensity interval training and Zumba to help keep them physically fit. In the Karate workshop, students learned about diffusing unsafe situations by using their voice before using physical strategies.
Music and poetry were on display in the library pit, part of Peace in the Pit, a workshop that celebrated diversity through art. Students watched and listened to their teachers who are part of the Ecktones, a rockin’ band that plays rock n’ roll music. Then students themselves took to the stage to read poems, display drawings and paintings and to perform their own music, open mic style.
Students made vision boards, a creative and fun way to inspire and motivate themselves. They created friendship bracelets, played board games, learned some tips and tricks of improv comedy, got a lesson in fishing, and even created a felt doll in a basic sewing workshop.
Love Yourself was one of the workshops that focused on building confidence and chasing dreams. Mindful Art Meditation students learned how to ground themselves with a simple breathing and drawing exercise.
Probably the most attended workshop was given by Hudson Valley Paws for a Cause. Here students had the opportunity to love some therapy dogs! Students learned about the healing power of dogs and how they simply petting or talking to animals improves physical health and emotional wellbeing.
In all, there were 23 workshops to choose from throughout the day, providing students with new strategies on staying healthy and be exposed to fun, healthy activities.
