UNICEF ambassador’s daily tips for a healthy mind and body

Wherever we are in the world and whatever our lives, human beings all learn very early the difference between feeling good and feeling bad.

We all share a basic understanding from early childhood that having energy, feeling connected to others and being relaxed in our mind and body help us feel healthy and happy.

But you may not know that global leaders made a set of promises to the children of the world that protect every child’s right to all those things.

Member countries came together and agreed at the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child that every child is born with the right to be healthy, happy, and protected from harm and that every child deserves good healthcare, nutritious food and a safe standard of living.

Children also have the right to play, rest, learn and grow up with loving families or guardians who care for them best.

Back in 2015, members of the United Nations agreed on 17 Sustainable Development Goals* to make the world a better place for children by 2030, which is now just four years away.

Among those 17 goals was the commitment to put into action all children’s rights.

The 17 goals are like a road map for governments and organisations around the world, to make sure they are on track to meet their obligations for making the world a better place for everyone, and for making sure every child gets the same fair opportunities to grow up healthy and safe, no matter where they live.

So much good progress has been made since these goals were made. Millions of children have received important immunisations* to prevent diseases, and care for babies has improved around the world. But there is still more important work to do over the next four years.

YOUR WELLBEING IS SUPER IMPORTANT

Being healthy is about having a relaxed mind, a strong body, lots of energy, and feeling connected to people who care about you.

UNICEF Australia ambassador and Olympic champion Emma McKeon said that being healthy means feeling good physically, mentally and emotionally.

“I spent years focusing on performance, and health was always a huge part of that,” McKeon said.

Health was such a significant focus for Australia’s most decorated Olympian that McKeon even studied public health while training for the Games.

“When I visited Bangladesh with UNICEF Australia, it reinforced to me how lucky we are in Australia to be able to get the health care we need, and that both boys and girls have equal opportunity to participate in sport,” she said.

“Every child has the right to grow up healthy, safe and supported, and I won’t forget the time I spent with children in Bangladesh who were learning to swim, with support from UNICEF.”

The sporting legend said she was still making choices that make her feel her best, including getting enough sleep, fuelling her body well, and spending time with friends and family.

“I like to move my body every day, whether that’s swimming, running, walking or just getting outside” she said. “I also make time for the people around me, do things I enjoy, and try to be kind to myself.”

When she feels tired or down, McKeon said she has found small ways to smile and relax in her day.

“One of my favourite things that slows me down and refreshes my energy lately has been playing with my 10-month-old niece, whether going for a walk or to swimming lessons together,” she said.

When you’re growing up, taking care of yourself is one of the best things you can do.

Small everyday things, like getting a good night’s sleep, eating good food, playing outside, and sharing laughs and smiles with people you love can all help you grow strong and healthy.

GET TO KNOW YOUR RIGHTS AS A CHILD
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child states that every child has the right to feel and be healthy. These rights belong to every child, everywhere in the world, no matter what.

Key Articles in the Rights of the Child:
Article 24: Every child has the right to good health and healthcare
Article 27: Every child has the right to a standard of living that is good enough to grow and develop
Article 31: Every child has the right to rest, leisure and play
Article 9: Every child has the right to live with their family or the people who care for them best
Article 19: Every child has the right to be protected from harm and abuse

POLL

GLOSSARY

• United Nations: an international organisation formed to promote global peace, security, and co-operation among countries
• Sustainable Development Goals: a set of global goals designed to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure the world is a better place for all
• immunisation: the process of making a person immune or resistant to an infectious disease, usually by giving a vaccine
• UNICEF: a United Nations agency responsible for providing humanitarian and developmental aid to children worldwide
• ambassador: an official representative selected to promote a specific cause, organisation, or country

EXTRA READING

Five simple ways kids can connect
Top five ways dogs boost your health and heart
‘Eye-opening’: DIY Twisties test

QUICK QUIZ

1. What are the children rights mentioned in this article?
2. What wellbeing tips did Emma McKeon share?
3. What are United Nation’s Sustainable Goals?
4. What did Emma McKeon study?
5. What did she realise when she visited Bangladesh?

LISTEN TO THIS STORY

CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
1. How do you stay happy and healthy?

VCOP ACTIVITY
I spy nouns
Nouns are places, names (of people and objects), and time (months or days of the week).

How many nouns can you find in the article?

Can you sort them into places, names and time?

Pick three nouns and add an adjective (describing word) to the nouns.