With nearly a decade of proven success, Special Olympics Arizona’s inclusive health education program, Healthy LEAP allows people with and without intellectual disabilities to experience increased physical activity, improved daily nutrition, heightened social engagement, and better emotional well-being.
The program is modeled to include health education, class activities, and supplemental resources. Designed to be taught in a six-to-eight-week format, Healthy LEAP focuses on four pillars (chapters) of health: Physical Wellness, Nutritional Wellness, Emotional Wellness, and Social Wellness. Participating programs receive free Coach’s Playbooks with lesson plans and activities and Athlete Playbooks for each participant to take notes, complete activities, and set personal goals.
First piloted in 2018 in five Unified Champion High Schools, Healthy LEAP is now available at three different levels.
Physical Wellness: Physical wellness is much more than just exercise! Physical wellness is anything and everything having to do with our bodies. It is keeping our bodies clean, safe, and well rested. When we are exercising, it’s important that we explore a variety of movements. Variety helps us maintain interest. There is nothing worse than forcing ourselves to be active in ways we don’t enjoy.
Nutritional Wellness: Nutritional wellness is one of the most important parts of our health. The food and drinks we put into our bodies impact how we think, feel, and behave. It’s a challenge to eat and drink in a balanced way to get the nutrients our bodies need. We can meet these challenges if we understand how to define healthy eating and if we have access to a variety of healthy foods.
Emotional Wellness: Emotional wellness has to do with our feelings and emotions. It also includes taking action to reach our goals, taking responsibility for our actions, and making healthy life choices. When we are emotionally and mentally well, we’re able to think more clearly and manage our stress in a healthy way.
Social Wellness: Social wellness comes from spending time in large or small groups and often means forming relationships with people in these groups. These relationships can take many forms, all of which have different meanings to us. Relationships are an important part of a person’s life. Having healthy relationships is important, not only for support and guidance but also for fun and safety.
