Break time health boosters

You've just had double maths and all you feel like doing is going home and bonding with your duvet. How is it possible that a teacher can be that boring? But at least it is break time and you can take a bit of a breather. But then of course there is the temptation of the tuck shop.

So what are healthy things you can do during break times?

Steer clear of junk food. A hamburger or chips or a soda once in a while won't do too much damage, but if it's becoming your daily staple food, warning lights should be flashing. Junk food is generally high in kilojoules, low in nutritional value and has a very high fat and low fibre content. Eat this every day and watch your weight climb. Another two weeks of pizza slices and your stomach could take on a life of its own.

Go for a walk. You sit all day in class. Climb a couple of flights of stairs or take a walk around the fields during break to get your circulation going - it will help you to concentrate better back in class. Or get involved in games.

Have a nap. If you're sleepy, a power nap in the shade under a tree will solve the problem. Just make sure you have a friend with you, otherwise the school prankster might just put a grasshopper in your jersey while you're in dreamland.

Eat something healthy. Have some fresh fruit and a wholewheat sandwich. Unless you're very lucky, you're not going to find these at the school tuck shop, so you may have to make a plan to bring them from home. These kinds of foods will also help you concentrate better in class, and keep you thin, healthy – and likely to get a date.

Drink water. Studies have shown that the majority of schoolgoing children are often dehydrated. Make a habit of drinking water at every break time.

Go to the toilet. This may seem obvious, but a lot of people don't go to the toilet during break – and then need to do so twenty minutes later.

Don’t have a smoke. Most schools have a no-smoking policy, but this doesn't usually deter those who really want to have a smoke. Just don't go there – it's such a difficult habit to kick later, it's terrible for your health, it makes you look old before your time and it makes your breath stink.

Go to the library. Always having something to read means you will never be bored. And books are easy to transport, and free, if you get them from the library. Go and spend some time and check out what they have – there might be a lot more then you expected. Don't judge a book by its cover, or a library by its librarian.

(Susan Erasmus, Health24, updated June 2010)