You already know how important your student’s well being is to their success, but do they?
Your student may be doing well, but the neat thing about well being is that it’s a journey worthy of continuous improvement, not a something that is ever achieved.
With winter break coming up and New Year’s Resolutions on the horizon, there is a natural tendency to find something to work on. You can help facilitate improvements in your student’s well being, while perhaps improving your own while you’re at it!
You may be thinking – I don’t have time for that! We often notice our students trying to keep up with the culture of busy-ness too, but when we are able to slow down, prioritize what matters and live more intentionally, we can prioritize a healthy habit or two that we’ve been meaning to integrate.
Your student is looking up to you! Be worthy of mimicking, take time to focus on your own well being and then talk about your journey openly. Perfectionism is not what they are looking for; rather real struggles and strategies used to overcome them will help tremendously.
Here are the Eight Dimensions of Wellness along with some reflection questions and some resources to get your student started on campus.
Dimension | Reflection Questions | Student Resources |
Social | Are you connected in a positive social network? Can you deal with conflict appropriately? |
Student Activities and Engagement
James Farmer Multicultural Center
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Financial | Are you living within your means? Are you managing short and long-term finances? |
Loans, Grants and Scholarships
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Physical | Are you taking care of your body for optimal health and functioning?
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Emotional | Do you have a positive attitude, high self-esteem and a strong sense of self? Are you able to recognize and share your feelings in a constructive way? | Talley Center for Counseling and Psychological Services |
Intellectual | Are you open to new ideas? Can you think critically and do you seek out new challenges? |
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Environmental | Are you aware of the interactions between the environment, community and yourself? Do you behave in ways that care for each responsibly? |
Center for Community Engagement
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Spiritual | Do you find meaning in life events? Do you live a life that reflects your values and beliefs? |
Mindfulness and Meditation and Contemplative Practice Courses
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Occupational | Do you seek to have a career that is interesting and enjoyable? |
Center for Career and Professional Development
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The Department of Campus Recreation’s role is to provide opportunities for students to move their bodies often and have fun while de-stressing. Campus Rec offers a wide variety of activities; any Eagle can find a new space to explore their potential and what wellness means to them individually.
This semester, we have offered a wide variety of activities where students can make new friends, learn new skills and move their bodies:
- Hiking trips and outdoor adventures
- Group fitness classes like yoga, Zumba, pilates, and cycle
- Opportunities to get involved in a sport league, tournament or club team
We understand the benefits of regular activity and how it can holistically benefit the student experience.
Intentionally moving more is known to improve overall mood, sharpen mental focus, decrease absenteeism, increase productivity and creativity, decrease stress and anxiety, improve self-image, sleep, and more.
Is your student interested in improving well being on campus? They can contact me to serve on the student wellness committee. This group of students assists with assessment of well being on campus and plans educational opportunities for the student community.
Kelly Shannon, Director, Campus Recreation