Spring into wellness!
Kate Taliaferro, a student in the College of Graduate Studies, 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.
As spring approaches, taking time to rest and recharge is critical. Whether your spring break is spent traveling, studying, catching up on sleep or all of the above, prioritizing your wellness is a great place to start! Everyone’s wellness toolkit looks different, and it can certainly evolve over time -- mine has drastically changed throughout this school year!
For me, building exercise and self-care into my weeks is critical to keeping myself sharp and motivated. I like to rotate between walking, hiking, running, lifting weights or taking a group fitness class to switch up my routine. As spring weather nears, I will take full advantage of outdoor walks after a long day of studying. Rootstown sunset walks are tough to beat, and calling a loved one on these walks is a great way to stay in touch with your support system!
Even amidst exam preparation, capstone projects and a busy spring semester, it is important to take regular study breaks to take a walk, switch up your study spot, or have a nutritious snack to fuel your preparation. I love using the light therapy lights to bring some natural light and energy into my study space. In addition, using bright colored pens and dry-erase markers enhances my memory retention and improves my mood while studying. Small habits make a big difference!
My last and favorite wellness tip is to plan something to look forward to. In a way, this serves as a reward system for working hard and achieving academic or professional goals. However, having a fun hobby or activity on my calendar also improves my mental and emotional health, allowing me to sustain long periods of motivation and enjoy progress along the way. This is especially important during winter, where the days can feel long and dark with limited sunlight available. Some of my personal favorite activities to look forward to are concerts, new recipes, a new book, comfort TV show/movie or planning an outing with my friends or family! Carving out time in my day to relax, even if it is winding down with a good book ten minutes before bed, keeps me motivated and positive throughout the day. I highly recommend building a similar system into your busy schedule!
However you spend your spring break, I hope you find time to rest and remember to take care of yourself!
Below are some of my favorite resources:
- NEOMED Wellness Checklist:
- Did I eat 2-3 meals today?
- Did I spend time with a loved one?
- Did I move my body by walking or exercising?
- Have I left my home in the last two days?
- Did I accomplish my study goals for the day?
- What is one positive affirmation I can tell myself today
- Sequoia Wellness Website and Group Fitness Schedule
- The 5 Ingredient College Cookbook