25 Sep What Does Wellness Mean for Our Children and Ourselves?
Wellness—it’s a word that gets thrown around a lot these days.
But what does it truly mean for our children?
And how can we, as parents, guide them toward a life of well-being?
Recently, Marci Reichert, Harvard-Westlake’s new Director of Wellness, shared some thoughts during the State of the School that gave us all something to reflect on.
Watch the full talk of Head of School Laura Ross interviewing Director of Wellness Marci Reichert here.
Wellness can be defined as the deliberate pursuit of activities and decisions that contribute to the enhancement of one's physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being, ultimately leading to a state of optimal health and quality of life.
What Wellness Really Means
Wellness isn’t just about getting massages or making sure our kids never face stress,`` Marci shared.
It’s about giving them the skills and habits to manage life’s challenges.
We want our children to be able to handle what life throws at them, to feel confident in themselves, and to build resilience.
Marci spoke about how wellness is more than just feeling good in the moment.
“It’s about how the mind, body, and emotions are all connected,” she said.
Whether it’s staying up too late or spending too much time on social media, those habits affect our kids’ overall well-being.
It’s all linked.
And as parents, it’s up to us to help them see how their daily choices matter.
Empowering Our Children Through Wellness
One of the most powerful points Marci made was this: challenges aren’t something to avoid—they’re something to grow through.
Self-efficacy, the belief that they can overcome obstacles, is the number one predictor of success,`` she said.
Letting our children face challenges, even when it’s hard to watch, builds their strength.
We’ve all been there, wanting to smooth the path for our kids.
But as Marci reminded us,
Sometimes we’ve removed too many barriers, and that can hinder their ability to handle bigger challenges later on.
When we allow them to face challenges head-on, we’re giving them the opportunity to grow, to build the confidence that says, “I’ve got this.”
The Role of Emotional Health
Emotions are a big part of wellness, and in today’s world, our children are more exposed to emotional overload than ever before.
Marci shared how easy it is for kids to misinterpret normal feelings of stress or sadness, often thinking they must mean something more serious.
Emotions are messengers. We need to help kids understand that their feelings, whether stress or sadness, don’t always mean something deeper like depression or anxiety.
Sometimes, they’re just normal reactions to life’s challenges.
Teaching our children to manage their emotions in healthy ways is a crucial part of wellness.
Wellness means giving them the tools to navigate emotions without shutting down or feeling overwhelmed.
How Wellness Affects Learning
Wellness isn’t just about emotional health—it has a direct impact on academic success too.
Stressed brains can’t learn,`` Marci said simply.
When our kids are overwhelmed, they’re not able to focus, retain information, or think critically. And that’s why wellness matters so much in the classroom.
By teaching students how to manage stress and emotions, we help them succeed in the classroom.
Marci is already working with teachers to create environments where students feel supported emotionally, which will ultimately lead to better academic outcomes.
All learning is emotional,`` she reminded us.
When students feel secure, they can tap into their full potential.
A Partnership for Wellness
Marci’s approach to wellness is all about partnership—between students, parents, and faculty.
She’s spending time with counselors, teachers, and parents, learning what’s working well and where we can grow as a community.
I want to understand what’s already in place and where we can fill in the gaps,`` she said.
Laura Ross, our Head of School, said it well:
Wellness isn’t about taking the focus off academics. It’s about helping our students develop the emotional skills they need to thrive, both in school and in life.
What’s Next?
Marci’s vision for wellness at Harvard-Westlake is of growth, collaboration, and support.
We’re all in this together, and by prioritizing wellness, we’re helping our children build a strong foundation for life.
Looking forward to seeing you at a future Harvard-Westlake Mindfulness Club event so we can practice together!
Wishing you all the very best, always,
Chair, Harvard-Westlake Mindfulness Club
RECOMMENDED WORKSHEET
This worksheet is designed to help you reflect on how you can support your child’s well-being in a meaningful way.
