Understanding Health

H is for health, an indispensable condition for learning.

A loving family; a happy child and spouse; financially and emotionally rewarding life choices; and a great job, what more could I have wanted at the age of 36? I was buzzing with passion for my career as an educationist, a founder head of an innovative school. I felt I had it all, my bosses saw a star in me, the consultants were buzzing with ideas that needed my input and action. As a founding head, I completed an innovative recruiting drive, an aggressive community outreach, creating an effective curriculum, designing one of its kind learning space within the school and opened the first academic year with 200+ pupils.

I was high on the adrenaline rush, training my newly formed team. I was coordinating many different initiatives, leading by example, putting long hours to reach the finishing line to the opening of the school and creating school policies, systems and processes.

I slept just enough so no time was wasted, I ate when there was time, and I ate what was available, given that I was on a construction site for most parts. I was getting burnt out like many headteachers as found by Su-Keene, DeMatthews, & Keene (2026). Like many, I did not see it coming.

I was time poor, then sleep poor and finally health poor, till I finally got burnt-out, not uncommon for young headteachers (Education Support).

I resigned and rested to heal, catching up on rest, sleep, nutrition. I needed to destress, rest and recover as the doctor prescribed, who I quote just said it plainly, “your school can get another head but your child will not get another mum”. Ouch! It was painful but true, both the medical parameters and her words, but hard to comply with.

That, naturally caused a major panic at work. Is she pregnant? Has she joined the competition? But on knowing my burnout, the founders too, quickly turned their focus on the health of the team and made health a focus for the organisation more urgently, a good outcome in the long run.

What followed was a quest to find my health, both physical and mental. Building physical health helped develop the strength to improve mental health. I needed time, space and energy.

It took me more than a few years to realise that the route to prove one’s mettle does not have to go through the fast route of “hustle to survive”. One can take the scenic route of “consistent positive routine to thrive” instead.

According to WHO (1948), health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. The word ‘complete’ in their definition is far from being ‘perfect health’ but a state when all three aspects of health exist positively.

My physical health slipped the moment my diet and sleep got compromised. This impacted my mental health as I had anxiety due to sleeplessness and the demands of my work. I was suffering from socio-emotional stress as I blamed myself for the inadequacy in my health and my shortcomings in leaving my job. I needed to quieten this judgement, this negative self-concept and just be, just breathe and exist, be ok with just ‘being’ not ‘becoming’ something.

What happened next was my transformation.

Following the initial medical intervention I slowly built a nurturing work life balance, a good balanced diet of food and happy thoughts, physical and brain (art + music + reading) exercise and a sound sleep routine. I worked with a coach and did inner work to develop myself to detach my identity from all the roles I play. I became self-aware of my mental health and fitness and became my own advocate to draw healthy boundaries for what serves me from what does not.

I made time to rest my mind and body.

Over nearly the next decade, not only did I achieve what I needed in my personal life, the peace of mind and space to support my family emotionally, I feel more creative and energetic in my professional pursuits. My own consulting, coaching and leadership work has thrived through this new rhythm, a creative flow and a greater self-belief.

Holistic health is not only a condition for learning for children as evidenced by UNESCO (2025), it is crucial for everybody, even teachers and school leaders to thrive. It is an indispensable condition for learning. Our health is not merely freedom from disease but the holistic package of physical, mental and social well-being.

Health is truly the greatest wealth. My wealth today is in the experience of having a good night’s sleep; spending quality time with my family and friends; working flexibly and creatively; eating timely, fresh, home made healthy food.

Share with me what is your greatest wealth.

References:

Education Support (no date) School leaders: do you make time to talk? Available at: educationsupport.org.uk (Accessed: 9 June 2026).

Su-Keene, E. J., DeMatthews, D. E., & Keene, A. C. (2026). Principal Work Stress and its Relationship with Mental Health, Sleep Quality, and Leadership Self-Efficacy: An Exploratory Mixed-Methods Approach. Leadership and Policy in Schools, 25(1), 108–126. https://doi.org/10.1080/15700763.2024.2373455

UNESCO (2025) School health and nutrition. Available at: unesco.org (Accessed: 9 June 2026).

World Health Organization (1948). Summary Reports on Proceedings Minutes and Final Acts of the International Health Conference held in New York from 19 June to 22 July 1946. World Health Organization, available from: https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/85573 [Google Scholar]

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