Invest time in yourself
Francesca Pupillo, a first-year student in the College of Medicine, contributed the following article as one of the educational initiatives sponsored by the NEOMED’s Student Wellness Committee as part of their peer-support series on the eight dimensions of wellness. The eight dimensions that this student and staff committee supports include: emotional, environmental, financial, intellectual, occupational, physical, social and spiritual wellness. The concept of eight dimensions of wellness comes from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), a U.S. government agency.
After spring break, I typically find myself feeling fatigued from the long school year, as I’m sure most people do. However, it’s important to maintain stamina and productivity to finish out the year. Participating in activities that you enjoy is critical during the final push of the school year. Recently, I’ve been combining two things I find important to maintain my wellness: exercise and spending time with friends.
With warmer weather approaching, I find spending any time outside instantly lifts my mood. I thoroughly enjoy lying in the on-campus hammocks in the courtyard to take a break from studying. One of my favorite outdoor activities is gathering my friends to play Spikeball (above). If you haven’t played, it’s super easy to pick up, and it’s a fun way to exercise and spend time with friends! All you need is 4 people and the setup. If you don’t have a net, but are interested in playing you can join either of these GroupMe group chats:
https://groupme.com/join_group/102696670/g0vNcjHz
https://groupme.com/join_group/100196291/pGtyAn3r
Another activity I decided to pick back up is rock climbing. This was something I did a lot before medical school and is another great way to exercise. Sequoia has a rock wall that you can use after attending a short orientation. For those seeking a more social climbing experience, Rock Mill, a bouldering gym in Akron, is a popular spot for NEOMED students and offers various membership options, including day passes. Picking up an old hobby has been extremely rewarding, and I hope to spend more time climbing this summer.
Ultimately, you should remember to do things you enjoy when other aspects of your life are challenging. It will remind you of what is important to you and it’s important to invest time in yourself to maintain your wellness!