Tag: Wellness

Physical Wellness

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What Is Physical Wellness? Physical wellness is all about maintaining a healthy physical state and involves our ability to perform physically demanding activities. It promotes taking care of our bodies by eating healthy and working out and encourages us to listen to our bodies to reduce our chances of developing illnesses or injuries and achieve optimal health. We only have one body, so it is important to appreciate it and recognize how crucial it is for us to care for and strengthen ourselves!

Did you know…

  • Exercise is associated with improvements in brain performance! Cardiovascular exercises, such as running helps form new brain cells, enhancing brainpower!
  • Exercising increases productivity due to the extra endorphins released!
  • Exercising 3 times a week for 45 mins can help slow down the aging process and keep you looking youthful for longer!

Check out these awesome ways to foster physical wellness:

  • Watching what we put into our bodies! Food is fuel, so it important to provide our bodies with healthy and nutritious foods to keep us going throughout the day!
  • Exercising! Exercising is shown to prevent health problems, boost energy, reduce stress, and strengthen us, so try to aim for at least 30 minutes of physical activity daily! Also, physical activity doesn’t only mean running! Go take a walk around the park, play soccer with your friends, or even play with your dog!
  • Building healthy habits! Although any step in the right direction is amazing progress, it is important to try to build lifelong habits! In addition to eating right and staying active, getting enough sleep, reducing stress, and working towards ending any unhealthy relationships/behaviors can help our bodies feel better and physically well!

What the students had to say: To gather opinions and information for this article, we collected responses regarding physical wellness from local high school seniors. When asked about physical activity the students believe that they are leading active and healthy lifestyles while some admitted to needing improvement and encouragement to join active school sports like basketball, lacrosse or cheerleading instead of the very popular gaming club. The students who were not involved in after-school extracurriculars expressed their love for dancing which has grown to tremendous popularity on social media and it’s great because dance or any movement including bike riding counts as long as it’s moderate to vigorous activity. The students also believe in the importance of sleep although they admit to not actually getting enough rest due to phone activity or too much on the mind.

Contributors: Health & Wellness 2nd PD

Resources:

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/physical-wellness#:~:text=Physical%20wellness%20is%20about%20doing,and%20side%20effects%20of%20treatment.

https://www.nih.gov/health-information/physical-wellness-toolkit

Environmental Wellness

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What Is Environmental Wellness? Environmental wellness is all about being aware of your physical surroundings, whether at home or out in nature. It involves your sense of comfort with your environment, and promotes occupying pleasant environments to improve your wellbeing! It also involves establishing a sustainable lifestyle, taking care of the earth, immersing yourself in nature, and much more! When our personal surroundings are clean and taken care of we experience more comfort and less anxiety!

Did you know…

  • Clean environments are associated with better work outcomes! In a study by the Staples Corporation, it was discovered that 94% of workers reported feeling more productive in a clean workspace, while 77% said they felt that they created higher quality products in a cleaner environment.
  • The act of cleaning a room, as well as being in a clean room, are both associated with reduced stress, anxiety, and depression. It also improves concentration and mental clarity.

Check out these awesome ways to foster environmental wellness:

  • Being aware of the impacts you make on the environment. From picking up that piece of trash to choosing a more sustainable method of transport, you are making a contribution to a cleaner earth, and a more pleasant environment for yourself and those around you!
  • Immersing yourself in nature! Studies have shown that being in nature reduces stress for many, and can relieve anxious feelings. With a rise in sedentary lifestyles, it is crucial to go get that breath of fresh air!
  • Eating locally sourced foods! Eating locally ensures that the food you’re consuming hasn’t traveled for miles and miles using fossil fuels that produce immense amounts of greenhouse gases that are detrimental to our environment.

What the students had to say: To gather opinions and information for this article, we collected responses regarding environmental wellness from local high school seniors. When asked about environmental wellness the students expressed that some of their favorite places include the great outdoor parks within the city, the beach, international travels, and anywhere with open space to walk, where birds can be heard and nature can be experienced. They also admire being in their bedrooms to relax, catch up on much needed sleep and to feel at peace. Majority of the students felt passionate about the cleanliness of their home environment and they believe that every individual should chip in to create spaces that they can appreciate and enjoy being in.

Contributors: Health & Wellness 2nd PD

Resources:

https://medium.com/change-becomes-you/6-ways-to-enhance-your-environmental-wellness

https://www.nih.gov/health-information/environmental-wellness-toolkit

Social Wellness

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What Is Social Wellness? Social wellness is all about having healthy relationships and positive connections with those around us and encompasses how we interact with others. Social wellness involves building a supportive network of friends and also relates to how comfortably we can adapt to changing social situations. It is incredibly crucial to have social wellness as those with strong and genuine connections are more likely to live longer, feel less stressed, and overall, lead happier, healthier lives!

Did you know…

  • Having close friends is associated with higher levels of immunoglobulin which can help fight respiratory infections and cavities!
  • A hug a day keeps the doctor away! For most people, physical affection is linked to improvements in mental and physical health
  • Social wellness helps enable healthy boundary-making and enforcing skills, which is crucial for creating relationships in which you feel cared for, safe, and respected.

Check out these awesome ways to foster social wellness:

1. Keeping in touch with supportive friends and family! It is important to show your loved ones that you appreciate them by spending time with them! Grab dinner together, give them a hug, etc. Show them you care!

2. Joining and engaging in clubs and organizations! Clubs are a great way to find friends that have similar interests as you!

3. Practice active listening! Although it may be tempting to talk more about yourself, it is important to listen to what your friend has to say. Engaging in conversations, listening, and understanding are key to developing a strong and genuine relationship.

4. Practice self-care! It is also important to love and respect yourself. Loving yourself can also help you attract good and supportive people!

What the students had to say: To gather opinions and information for this article, we collected responses regarding social wellness from local high school seniors. When asked about traits they looked for in a good friend, the most common answers included trustworthy, positive, open-minded, kind, and ones that shared a similar interest/mentality. None of the students were in any other community programs, such as clubs or sports teams, but regarding their support system, the most common response was a family member, followed by a best friend or friends, and then a current or ex-significant other. The students expressed that they show care and improve upon their social wellness by being there for those they appreciate!

Contributors: Health & Wellness 2nd PD

Resources:

https://www.nih.gov/health-information/social-wellness-toolkit

https://www.unomaha.edu/student-life/presidents-wellness-committee/social-wellness

Spiritual Wellness

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What Is Spiritual Wellness? Spiritual wellness is all about finding your life’s meaning and purpose! It involves being connected to something beyond yourself and developing a set of values, morals, beliefs, principles, etc. that help guide your actions or define the trajectory of your life. For some people, this means participating in an organized religion, but this is not always the case. Whether it be through speaking to a community of people or reflecting upon your own thoughts, spiritual wellness can be fostered through many methods.

Did you know…

  • Focusing on spiritual wellness can be beneficial for your mental health.
  • Those with spiritual wellness/spiritual health are more likely to have additional tools and strengths to deal with challenges that may arise
  • Spiritual wellness is associated with increased feelings of hopefulness and mental clarity, especially during uncontrollable events, such as a global pandemic

Check out these awesome ways to foster spiritual wellness:

1. Joining a club or group! Finding a sense of community (ex: in a religious group or volunteer organization) could help one begin to find a cause that matters to them.

2. Spend time in nature. In this day and age, many of us are consumed by our phones. Taking time to go on a hike, have a picnic in the park, etc. could be therapeutic and relaxing for your spirit/mind.

3. Meditating/Practicing Yoga! These are great ways to relieve physical and/or emotional strain, which can open up our minds to reflect upon life.

4. Ask yourself questions! Having deep reflections about life can aid in the journey to discover one’s purpose and the meaning of life.

What the students had to say: 

To gather opinions and information for this article, we collected responses regarding spiritual wellness from local high school seniors. Of the 5 students surveyed that day, 2 are religious and 3 aren’t. One stated that religion plays a significant role in their spiritual wellness. When asked what they believe the main purpose of life is, all 5 stated that it is to get up each day and live a true and full life!

Contributors: Health & Wellness 2nd PD

Resources:

https://www.northwestern.edu/wellness/8-dimensions/spiritual-wellness.

www.unh.edu/health/spiritual-wellness

 

Occupational Wellness

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What Is Occupational Wellness? Occupational wellness is all about achieving a balance between work and leisure, and doing so in a manner that is both emotionally and financially rewarding. It is about finding a career that is meaningful to you, and doing work that you find motivating and exciting! Feeling good at the end of the day about what you have accomplished is a tell-tale sign that you are on your way to achieving occupational wellness!

Did you know…

  • The average American works 34.4 hours per week, but for populations between the ages of 25 and 54, the average workweek is 40.5 hours! Because we spend so much time at work, it is important to find a job that provides us with a sense of purpose and financial stability.
  • Finding one’s work meaningful is associated with greater life satisfaction and improved overall well-being.

Check out these awesome ways to foster occupational wellness:

1. Finding a career that you love! Reflecting on your hobbies and values is a great way to get you started on the path to discovering your dream job!

2.Avoid overworking yourself. Even too much of a good thing can be bad, so finding a balance between work and fun is a great way to foster occupational wellness!

3.Talking to a career counselor! If you are unsure about career pathways, speaking to a professional can help you narrow down your options.

4.Exploring while you are young! Do side hustles, work in a restaurant, assist at a hospital, etc. to find what field of work motivates you to get up each day.

What the students had to say:

To gather opinions and information for this article, we collected responses regarding occupational wellness from local high school seniors. A majority of the students had dream jobs, ranging from being a nurse to being a truck driver! Having a passion for the job and obtaining a high pay rate are the biggest non-negotiable for these students. Similarly, when asked about what they hope to get out of work and life, a majority stated that they wish to be happy with their career and achieve financial wealth for themselves and their families. 7 out of 10 students would not change their dream jobs even if money wasn’t a factor, while 2 of the student’s career change was closely related to their dream job. One student desired to travel the world.

Contributors: Health & Wellness 2nd PD

Resources: 

https://www.unomaha.edu/student-life/presidents-wellness-committee/occupational-wellness-tips.php#:~:text=Occupational%20wellness%20is%20the%20ability,for%20most%20people)%20financially%20rewarding.

https://www.utoledo.edu/offices/rocketwellness/docs/Tips%20on%20Improving%20Occupational%20Wellness.pdf

 

Intellectual Wellness

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Tips On How To Personally “Level up”    

What Is Intellectual Wellness?                                                            Intellectual wellness is all about striving to expand upon our knowledge and acquire new skill sets. It encourages us to engage in creative and mentally-stimulating activities that aid in creating beneficial lifelong habits. Fostering intellectual wellness can help us develop a love for learning and a strong sense of curiosity that helps us “level up” and grow as people!

Did you know…

  • Growing intellectual wellness can be beneficial for your mental health.
  • Intellectual wellness helps build memory and increase cognitive skills.
  • Teens are highly capable of complex learning and should involve themselves in extracurricular activities such as sports, music, theater, art, cooking, and more.
  • Engaging in activities that stimulate the mind can decrease feelings of laziness and even teen depression.

Check out these awesome ways to foster intellectual wellness:

  1. Test your skills, join competitive sports like soccer or basketball to keep busy.
  2. Learn a new language, and gain inspiration from places you’d like to travel to.
  3. Listen to relaxing music while reading books on interesting topics.
  4. Get more sleep at night to have the energy to engage in activities.
  5. Learn how to cook and follow recipes to make dinner for your family.
  6. Be open-minded to learn new things. You never know what you may be good at.  
  7. Always challenge yourself to find what is important and meaningful to you.

What the students had to say: To gather opinions and information for this article, we collected responses regarding intellectual wellness from local high school seniors. Nearly all of the students agreed that it is important to aim to get a greater understanding of the world, learn new things and be open-minded.   Many watched youtube videos in order to do so and fostered intellectual wellness with hobbies such as reading. They also slept/ate to restore their brains, and are interested in traveling all around the world!  The students are on the right path to fostering intellectual wellness and becoming the most open-minded and curious versions of themselves.

Contributors: Health & Wellness 2nd PD

Resources:

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/debunking-myths-of-teen-depression

https://www.unh.edu/health/intellectual-wellness