College is an exciting time of transition and personal growth. The prerequisite for success: self-care. Taking care of yourself goes beyond eating well and getting enough sleep. Wellness is about taking an intentional, holistic approach to developing healthy habits that align with your goals and values. Creating your personalized wellness roadmap gives you the tools and support needed to thrive in college and beyond.
Eight Dimensions of Wellness
To support you on this journey, we offer a range of programs and resources rooted in the eight dimensions of wellness. The goal is to be flexible and focus on what you need at any given time. This helps build resilience and adaptability, which will help you stay healthy, manage stress, make better decisions, and feel less overwhelmed. Wellness is about progress, not perfection. Take small, intentional steps toward living a more balanced, fulfilling life.
Physical Health
Physical HealthTake proactive and preventative steps to care for your body including prioritizing sleep and exercise, staying hydrated, eating a well-balanced diet, and avoiding harmful habits like smoking or excessive alcohol consumption. Regular health check-ups and listening to your body’s needs also play a key role in maintaining physical wellness.
On Campus Resources
Emotional and Mental Health
Be kind to yourself. College life has unique stressors as you learn to become more independent. It can be challenging to balance academics, extracurricular interests, roommates, social life, financial stress and personal struggles. It can especially feel overwhelming when you live away from your support system at home. We’re here to help you work through challenges in a safe and healthy way.
On Campus Resources
Social Health
Get involved on campus. Surround yourself with supportive, respectful friends who encourage your well-being. Avoid toxic or harmful relationships and know when to reach out for help. Reach out to the Counseling Center to learn about our Connections Support Group. For concerns about intimate partner violence, contact our Title IX office.
On Campus Resources
Intellectual
Engage your mind inside and outside the classroom. Through our flexible curriculum, you’ll pursue your passions, think critically and creatively, and approach issues from diverse perspectives. Participating in research, workshops and conferences can also help foster a lifelong passion for learning.
On Campus Resources
Occupational Health
Meet with a Career Navigator. Our Life and Career Design Institute will help you develop the mindset and skills needed to create a career path that aligns with your personal interests, goals and values. You’ll learn how to connect your goals through courses, clubs and campus programs and secure internships to gain experience.
On Campus Resources
Environmental Health
Find the places and spaces that make you feel good. Choose a residence hall that aligns with your wellness goals or live with a community that shares your interests. Find a favorite study spot or place to unwind on or off campus—whether it’s relaxing on the Dimple or strolling through the Wheaton Woods. Go outside, be with nature, and do your part to help take care of it.
On Campus Resources
- Common Interest Communities
- Wellness Housing
- Theme Houses
- Sustainability
- The Dimple
- Norton Trail Maps
Spiritual Health
Explore your beliefs to find meaning and purpose. Spiritual wellness is a personal journey, unique to you. Whether you practice a specific religion, are curious about different faiths, or just seek a quiet place to go within, we provide a safe space to connect with something greater than yourself.
On Campus Resources
Financial Health
It can be challenging to live on a limited budget during college. We’re here to help you evaluate your personal financial situation so you can manage your student account, find on-campus employment, and apply for funded internships and other experiential learning. Developing positive financial habits now will pay dividends in the future.
On Campus Resources
Wellness Mapping
Wellness mapping is a way to track different areas of your well-being, helping you see where you’re doing well and where you need improvement. This can help you make more informed choices about lifestyle changes and motivation strategies to reach your wellness goals.
Abby Egginton, the Associate Director of College Health Administration, or any of the Career Navigators in our Life and Career Design Institute can lead you through a Wellness Mapping exercise. They’ll help you assess how well you are incorporating these eight dimensions of health in your life and determine what changes you can make to help you feel more balanced.
Questions?
As you navigate these eight dimensions of wellness, we’re here to help you every step of the way. Reach out to [email protected] if you need help connecting with campus partners or just need a sounding board for support.
