We know that students are currently more stressed and anxious than ever before, but it’s often difficult to know how to help them process these emotions. Luckily, there are many methods and activities to help reduce stress for students. One of the top on that list is physical activity or exercise. And adventure camps are one of the best ways for it! Yep, adventure camps offer huge stress reduction benefits from exercise, but they’re also great for reducing stress with students spending time with friends and simply having fun.
How does physical activity reduce stress in students?
Takes their mind off worries
Adventure camps and physical activities can help distract students from things like exam stress. When kids are enjoying themselves and engaged in activities, they briefly forget about what they were worried about, because they’re focusing on the moment and not dwelling on the future.
At PGL, we have tons of activities to reduce stress for students. These include:
- Flying Fox
- Abseiling
- Canoeing
- Climbing
- Giant Swing
- Laser Tag
See our full list of activities for more!
Boosts endorphins & relieves negative impacts of stress
Exercise can be a fantastic stress reliever for your students. When your students are at a PGL adventure camp, they’ll be joining in with all kinds of physical activities, and exercise releases endorphins in the body which can help to reduce stress for students. Whether they’re playing a sport, zooming down our Flying Fox, or completing our climbing wall, these positive neurotransmitters will be buzzing in their brain! The physical and mental benefits are endless.
How to reduce stress for students
Exercise and adventures
On a PGL adventure, students will have many opportunities to join in with our epic activities which will get their heart pumping, reducing their stress levels and boosting endorphins. We use a ‘challenge by choice’ model at PGL, whereby we encourage students to challenge themselves and choose the level that suits them. We will never force students to do an activity that they’re uncomfortable with. Teachers can encourage students to do activities beyond their comfort zones (and into their stretch zones) to really get those endorphins going!
Encourage students to speak with friends, family and teachers
Some other ways you can reduce stress for students include encouraging them to open up about their worries. They could confide in their best friend, speak to their parents, or even have a chat with you. Often it’s good to get the stress off their chest, and by speaking to somebody they can get advice and support to help them feel more confident. Informal settings, such as around the campfire, or while walking between activities, provides great opportunity for these types of chats.
Get a good night’s sleep
We know how busy your students’ days can be. But if they can get to bed at a reasonable time and maximise their sleep, it can help to reduce stress. It gives the brain time to fully rest, ensuring it’s at full cognitive function for the next day. After a full day of adventure activities, we find that students are so tired that they get a great night’s sleep!
Book a PGL camp!
Here at PGL, we offer a whole range of thrilling activities for both primary and secondary school groups. Our camps are located at Campaspe Downs (VIC), Camp Rumbug (VIC) and Kindilan (QLD).
At all PGL school camps, your pupils are at the heart of what we do. We put safety first with 100% instructor-led activity sessions. Your PGL groupies are also always available for any questions you may have, just ask!
So, if you’re thinking of taking your class on an exhilarating outdoor adventure, get in touch and request a quote today!
