Student wellness is important for students, but what does it mean? Student wellness is about more than just physical health. It also involves mental health, sleep, nutrition, and exercise.
If you think of it like a wheel with all these components represented by spokes around the rim, then wellness can be seen as the hub at the center of this wheel. This concept is known as a “wellness wheel”.
So while student wellness might sound like something that only applies to your physical body, think again! Your whole self needs attention for you to feel good mentally and physically.
Help With Your Nutrition or Stress
Massage Chairs
There should be massage chairs in the Wellness Center that one can use at no cost. All a student should need to do is bring their student ID card with them so they can track how many times they’ve used the service.
Stress and Relaxation Rooms
These rooms are great for taking time out of your day to de-stress, work on homework or just relax with a good book or magazine while listening to music! They’re equipped with comfy couches, pillows, and blankets, so all one has to do is bring themselves!
Nutrition Counseling Service
Nutrition counseling services offered by registered dietitians help students learn how healthy eating affects their bodies and minds as well as how it impacts their energy levels throughout the day.
These professionals also teach them about healthy eating habits so they can make better choices in both social situations like parties or dining halls as well as during meal times at home throughout the week.
Guided Meditations
Guided meditations are a great way to relax and reduce stress. They can also be very beneficial in helping you with other areas of your life. Some examples are:
- Meditation can help you be more focused. The less distracted you are by tension in your body, the more likely it is that you’ll be able to concentrate on the task at hand.
- Meditation can help you sleep better at night because it reduces stress levels and helps regulate emotions, which has been shown to improve sleep quality for many people who experience insomnia or trouble falling asleep at night.
- Meditation can help manage emotional trauma such as anxiety, depression, and anger by allowing one’s mind to process feelings without being overwhelmed by them so much that they cause physical symptoms such as stomach aches or headaches, also known as “fight-or-flight responses”.
- By connecting with our inner self through meditation techniques like mindfulness practices, we learn how much control over our own lives we have. Even when times seem difficult, there is always something positive that we can focus on instead of just dwelling on negative thoughts all day long!
Relaxation, Stress & Sleep
Relaxation is a major problem for students. Stress leads to health problems, including heart disease, digestive issues, cancer, and chronic pain. Research finds that relaxation can help with stress, sleep, and even anxiety or depression.
The most common way to relax is by listening to music or sounds from nature, such as the ocean or rainforest. Other forms of relaxation include yoga, meditation, or breathing exercises. They can be done from home using apps on your phone or computer!
Do you find it difficult to unwind after a long day? Try taking a bath before bedtime; soaking in warm water will lower blood pressure reducing tension throughout your body which helps ease insomnia-related problems such as sleep apnea & restless leg syndrome (RLS).
Healthier Eating
As a student, you probably have a busy schedule. Maybe you’re studying for a test or writing an essay. Or maybe it’s just that the days are flying by, and before you know it, it’s Friday night again! Regardless of what your daily routine looks like, here are some tips to help ensure that you’re eating healthy during your time as a student.
Eat breakfast every day. It can be tough to get out of bed early enough for breakfast in the morning or even find time to eat at all, but eating something first thing in the morning is important because it helps keep your energy level up throughout the day. Try making smoothies with fruits and veggies so that they taste good enough that even if they aren’t exactly filling, at least they’ll give you something nutritious to keep those hunger pangs at bay until lunchtime rolls around again.
Take advantage of free food options on campus when possible. For example, if there’s an event being held on campus where there will be free pizza and soda being served up afterward, then take advantage of it. Also, look into any programs available through local organizations such as churches, synagogues, mosques, etc.
Smoking Cessation
Smoking is a common problem for college students. It’s easy to get into the habit, but if you want to quit, there are plenty of resources that can help. If you need additional support and encouragement, consider joining one of the many campus-wide groups available to help you on your journey. There are also quit smoking products such as gums or patches that will make it easier for you to stay away from cigarettes.
Self-Assessment Tools & Interactive Quizzes
It’s important to take a look at your overall health and wellness. For example, if you’re having trouble sleeping or are experiencing stress, it may help to talk to someone about how these things might impact your day-to-day life. The good news is that there are many self-assessment tools and interactive quizzes available online that can help you do just that!
Take the Health Assessment Quiz from Harvard University’s Health Education & Behavior program for example. This quiz is designed to measure your current level of wellness in areas such as physical activity, nutrition, mental health, substance use, sexual behavior, and reproductive health.
Based on your answers, you’ll be given an overall score out of 100 points as well as specific recommendations based on where you scored highest and lowest.
Counseling Services Quick Contact Card
If you’re feeling anxious or depressed, need help with a medical condition, or have other concerns that are interfering with your ability to meet your academic goals, consider reaching out to Counseling Services.
If you’re a student in counseling and think you might benefit from talking to someone outside of the counseling center, this card includes resources for off-campus counseling centers.
Student wellness is not just about staying healthy. It’s also about being happy and making the most of your time on campus.
