Student Wellness
There are many dimensions of wellness including physical, emotional, and spiritual. All are interdependent, creating a sort of web. This means that if a particular aspect of ones wellbeing becomes overemphasized, under-emphasized, neglected or injured, the vibrations are felt across the entire self. The pursuit of wellness then, is really the pursuit of balance.
The following is an attempt to categorize some of the dimensions of wellness and to link them with campus information and resources in order to offer students another way to navigate on their quest for balance and wellbeing. This is not an exhaustive list, but we hope that it is a helpful start…
Physical Wellness
The nurturing of our physical health is achieved though a variety of ways. Exercise,
eating well, hygiene, regular checkups, and responsible decisions about drinking,
drug use, sex etc. all impact our physical wellness.
INTRAMURAL SPORTS
Spiritual Wellness
The recognition that there are forces greater than ourselves. Whether it is God,
or nature or a life force, is not necessarily the issue. Instead, it is the recognition,
pursuit, and development of this very personal and self-evident aspect of our being.
“Spiritual wellness involves the capacity for love, humility, compassion, forgiveness,
altruism, joy, and fulfillment. With Spiritual Wellness comes the possession of a
set of guiding principles, beliefs, and values. It is an antidote for cynicism, anger,
fear, anxiety, self-absorption and pessimism.”
CHAPLAIN
FAITH ORGANIZATIONS
Social Wellness
Humans are social creatures. We need other people in order to develop normally and
to be truly well both physically and emotionally. We are all social to different
degrees. Some may have many friends and acquaintances, some only one or two very
close friends. Regardless of the degree of our social needs, we all must develop
good communication skills, the capacity for intimacy, and the security of a caring
support network of friends and family if we hope to be truly well. “Social wellness
also requires participating in and contributing to your community and world.”
CULTURAL
GREEK
POLITICAL/ SOCIAL
RESIDENTIAL
Emotional Wellness
“Optimism, trust, self-esteem, self-acceptance, self-confidence, self-control, satisfying
relationships, and an ability to share feelings are just some of the qualities and
aspects of emotional wellness. Maintaining emotional wellness requires monitoring
and exploring your thoughts and feelings, identifying obstacles to emotional well-being,
and finding solutions to emotional problems, with the help of a therapist if necessary.”
GROUP THERAPY
COUNSELING/ CONSULTATION
STUDENT SERVICES
Intellectual Wellness
“The hallmarks of intellectual health include and openness to new ideas, a capacity
to question and think critically, and the motivation to master new skills, as well
as a sense of humor, creativity, and curiosity. An active mind is essential to overall
wellness; it detects problems, finds solutions, and directs behavior. People who
enjoy intellectual wellness never stop learning. They seek out and relish new experiences
and challenges.”
ACADEMIC
FINE ARTS
MUSICAL
POLITICAL
Environmental Wellness
Increasingly, personal health depends on the health of the planet – from the safety of the food supply to the degree of violence in a society. Other examples of environmental threats to health are ultraviolet radiation in sunlight, air and water pollution, lead in old house paint, and second hand tobacco smoke in indoor air. Wellness requires learning about and protecting yourself against such hazards – and doing what you can to reduce or eliminate them, either on your own or with others.
STUDENT SIERRA COALITION
ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
ECOLOGY ACTION CENTER
GREENetwork