Now more than ever, it’s important our students know how to LiveWell
Departments across campus come together through University Wellness Committee to launch new LiveWellguide to wellness and website for students
Wellness isn’t just trending on social media; people across college campuses and around the world are recognizing the real importance of this person-first movement. The World Health Organization recognizes wellness as “…a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” As people first, we are more than the culmination of our awards, degrees, professional successes and careers. These pieces add to our wellness, especially when aligned with our personal values, but they are simply one piece of who we are as individuals. Wellness is a self-directed and individualized experience that is continuously evolving, dependent upon our needs, and intended to create harmony across eight, interconnected dimensions:
- Physical – recognizing the need for adequate activity, sleep and nutrition
- Intellectual – recognizing creativity and expanding knowledge and skills
- Spiritual – searching for meaning and purpose in experiences
- Emotional – developing skills to regulate emotions
- Financial – finding satisfaction with current and future finances
- Social – developing a sense of connection with a positive support system
- Occupational – deriving personal satisfaction and enrichment from work
- Environmental – occupying pleasant, safe and stimulating environments
To further support our Pack, departments across campus including the Student Health Center, ÁùºÏ±¦µä’s Recovery & Prevention Community (NRAP), ÁùºÏ±¦µä Cares and Counseling Services have joined together through the University Wellness Committee to develop the new LiveWell website. LiveWell pairs academic and personal success through an easily accessible guide to wellness to support students from the moment they set foot on campus. Too often, students are either unaware of the services and resources available to them or wait to access these resources until they reach a crisis. LiveWell aims to help bridge this gap and support a campus culture of well-being. It aligns eight dimensions of wellness, tips for improving wellness, space for individualized reflection and available campus resources that are already included in tuition and fees, all in one place.
The intent is not to be prescriptive, but rather support the concept that you are the expert in your life and are in control of what that harmony across these dimensions looks like for you. Focusing on your wellness is not intended to be another item to add to or check-off your “to-do” list; it should work for you and improve all aspects of your life. As a proactive measure, wellness provides support on a daily basis to reduce stress, decrease the risk of mental health outcomes like depression and improve overall physical health and academic performance. Importantly, it also equips us to face challenges without entering crisis mode, where we tend to be reactive. By supporting your needs today and actively working to improve your wellness, you are establishing behaviors and skills that will improve your resilience and provide personal resources you can draw from to succeed through the challenges you may face.
As we move forward into the start of the fall 2020 semester, also known as “month six” of being collectively resilient and resourceful, now is a great time to get to know yourself better, support your wellness and avoid falling into crisis mode down the road. Take a moment to reflect on the following questions:
- What do you need?
- What do you value?
- What strengths and resources (campus and personal) do you already have available?
- What adjustments do you have the desire and capacity to make to improve your mind, body and/or spirit?
Taking the time now to address what you need, plan for what you might need, how you will respond and what resources are available will set you up for a successful semester; especially as we navigate one of the most unconventional ones to date. Become familiar with the eight dimensions of wellness and available campus resources today. Together we are building an empowered, connected and resilient campus community. Let’s support ourselves, each other and LiveWell.
