The fundamental reason we eat food is to provide our bodies with the nutrients and energy we need to function. But, we often eat for other reasons too. In today’s article we speak to Associate Professor Esben Strodl about emotional eating, why people turn to food in times of stress and why it’s important to understand our emotional triggers.

Warming up before exercise is considered an important part of your overall fitness regime. It is said to help prevent injury, improve performance and prepare you for the task ahead. But what is the most effective way to warm-up before exercise to ensure you gain those benefits? We explore this question with Professor Anthony Blazevich from Edith Cowan University.

In his latest Teacher column, OECD Director for Education and Skills Andreas Schleicher shares preliminary findings from the organisation’s Special Survey on how systems have responded to the pandemic – from school closures and remote learning, to teacher vaccination and gradual returns to in-class instruction.

‘Walking is more than getting from one place to another.’ Assistant Principal Amanda Alcock shares how her walking routine has helped her to gain perspective, focus and gratitude, and explains why it will always be an important part of her life.

In the latest instalment of Teacher’s bookshelf, we share an exclusive extract from Thrive: the purpose of schools in a changing world, by Valerie Hannon and Amelia Peterson. In this 2nd Edition the authors advocate a new purpose for education and explore what thriving might look like in an age of disruption.

Planning ahead to meet the professional learning needs of staff to improve teaching effectiveness in your school is an important aspect of a principal’s work. But, what happens when these plans get overtaken by events?

Nilesh Banerjee, a casual relief teacher and a volunteer at Prescott College in Prospect, South Australia, has penned a review of Indigenous knowledges: Proceedings of the Water Sustainability and Wild Fire Mitigation symposia, 2012 and 2013. Here he also shares how it’s impacted his work with students and motivated him to give back to his community.

Keeping physically fit, eating a healthy diet and doing regular mental exercises can help to maintain your brain’s functions and boost its capacity for recall. Professor Kaarin Anstey from UNSW joins us today to discuss how the brain changes as we age, lifestyle factors that affect the brain and tips for improving our brain function and memory.

Victoria University surveyed 727 girls aged 12 to 18 to gain insight into their preferences and opinions on sport uniforms. Here, we share what clothing they prefer to wear during school sport and their reasons why. The researchers say findings from the study could enhance school and sport club uniform policy.

‘While we found that a lot of elements in our lives can be replaced by an online substitute, after a year of lockdowns we still have not been able to replicate the “human” element. The lack of peer-to-peer interaction was perhaps felt most by children.’ Professor John Toumbourou discusses the role of peer support programs in rebuilding student resilience.