The 8 Dimensions of Wellness – Intellectual

Posted on October 9, 2024 by shhswell

There are 8 overall dimensions or categories of wellness. Each dimension can and will influence the other dimensions. We will be doing a quick dive to explore each dimension of wellness in this mini-series. We will discuss what each dimension is devised of, how it can impact other parts of your wellness, and more!

Let’s quickly discuss wellness vs. health. Health just means the absence of disease. While wellness is more of a gradient, and the goal of wellness is for one to thrive in each aspect.

We are going to look at intellectual wellness for todays blog. Intellectual wellness involves having an open mind when you encounter new ideas and continuing to expand your knowledge. Intellectual wellness can be broke up into four main categories: personal interests, brain exercise, education, and conversation. This dimension isn’t about being the smartest person in the room, or getting an A+ on every exam, it is the ability to think critically, reason objectively, make responsible decisions and explore new ideas and different points of view. Think about what you like to do or learn, if you are interested in learning a new language, do you keep up with current affairs, or do you take part in intellectual discussions? Here are a few tips and resources for you to maintain and improve your intellectual wellness in and out of school;

Flip through travel books or go online to find places you might enjoy reading about or visiting.
See what kind of skills training—such as writing, sign language, or blogging— might be available at the public library, local congregations, local colleges, or other community organizations.
Play crossword puzzles and other games like Sudoku.
Become familiar with websites like Games for the Brain (http://www.gamesforthebrain.com/).
Befriend people who can stimulate your mind.

Intellectual wellness can seem broad and confusing- but if you keep an open mind you will start to see what all it encompasses. Stay tuned for more aspects of wellness as we dive in!

Get Healthy SHHS!

The 8 dimensions of wellness – Environmental

Posted on October 9, 2024 by shhswell

Let’s quickly discuss wellness vs. health. Health just means the absence of disease. While wellness is more of a gradient, and the goal of wellness is for one to thrive in each aspect.

We are going to look into environmental wellness in todays blog. Environmental wellness is not just about the outside environment like trees and plants, it is about the environment that surrounds you! You can’t always choose what’s in the environments you live, work, or play in. But taking small steps to make your environments safer and limiting your exposure to potentially harmful substances can help keep you healthier. The National Health Institute provides some strategies for improving your environmental health- reducing your home health hazards, reduce allergies, hot and cold weather protection, air quality and water safety. Here are a few tips to keep in mind to maintain your environmental health;

Wash your bedding in hot water once a week.
Stay out of the ocean for at least 24 hours after a storm. Avoid places where storm water is released on the beach.
Avoid strenuous outdoor activities if the air is polluted.

Check your region’s air quality index at www.airnow.gov(link is external). Orange and red mean it’s a bad air day, so people with lung problems should avoid the outdoors. Purple and maroon mean air pollution is extreme, and everyone should try to stay inside in an environment with clean air.
Use vent fans in rooms that have lots of moisture, like the bathroom, to prevent mold growth.
If your home was built before 1978, test exposed paint for lead. You can buy test kits yourself or hire a professional. Some city health departments provide free test kits.
Keep your heat set to at least 68°F or higher during cold weather. If you need help paying your heating bills, see if you qualify for the HHS energy assistance program(link is external).
Open a window or use a fan to improve air circulation when you’re cleaning.

Environmental wellness can often be confused with other aspects of wellness. Stay tuned for more aspects of wellness as we dive in!

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Summer Health Tips

Posted on May 17, 2024 by shhswell

The summer months are upon us! Let’s talk about some ways to stay on top of your health this summer, no matter where you are or what you do.

First, and foremost, these tips can and should be used year-round. Summer is just a great time for a reminder. Let’s get into it!

Sunscreen/ sun protection: Everyone, regardless of race/ethnicity/skin tone, can get sun burnt. Sun burns happen from excessive exposure to the sun, where the UV rays damage the skin. Some people may get sun burnt more easily than others, but sunscreen and sun protection is important for all. Each time you get a sun burn; you are increasing your risk for skin cancer to develop. Sun burns can cause chills, peeling of the skin, and even vomiting in extreme situations. Excess sun exposure can also lead to the development of winkles and fine lines, an easy way to help prevent this is to ensure you are wearing sunscreen every day!

Sunscreen Clip Art | Clip art, Chemistry projects, Education clipart

Hydration: Drinking enough water will help you stay healthy in various ways! Over the hot summer months, it is important to stay hydrated to help your body stay cool and avoid heat exhaustion. Heat exhaustion is a very dangerous illness, that can cause nausea, dizziness, muscle cramps. and more. This is caused by your body not being able to cool itself, so be sure to stay hydrated and be mindful of your activity levels when temperatures reach extreme levels.

Free Sunglasses Clipart Pictures - Clipartix

Eye protection: That’s right! Sunglasses are very important to your eye health. Just like your skin, the UV rays from the sun can be harsh and cause damage to your eyes. Anytime it is sunny, and you are outside, be sure to wear sunglasses to protect your eye health. Long term exposure can impact your vision, talk to your eye doctor about this and how to be sure you are protecting your eyes properly.

Lastly, consider using bug spray! Warmer weather will mean bugs like mosquitos, ticks, and fleas will be out more. Many insects like these can carry illnesses and can spread them to you when they bite. Better to be safe than sorry.

I hope all of these tips will help you have a happy and healthy summer!

Get Healthy SHHS!

The 8 Dimensions of Wellness – Emotional

Posted on April 25, 2024 by shhswell

Let’s quickly discuss wellness vs. health. Health just means the absence of disease. While wellness is more of a gradient, and the goal of wellness is for one to thrive in each aspect.

We are going to look at emotional wellness today. Emotional wellness is an awareness of your feelings. Emotional wellness can help you understand why you are feeling what you feel and how to respond to it. This can also be looked at as the ability to handle life’s challenges and being mentally resilient. The National Institutes of Health says, “Learning healthy ways to cope and how to draw from resources in your community can help you build resilience.” Another way to build resilience is learning healthy ways to cope with stress. Long term stress can become harmful to your health. There are many other things that can impact your emotional wellness, such as strengthening social connections, getting enough sleep, being mindful, and even dealing with loss.

Here are a few tips to incorporate into your everyday life to enhance your emotional wellness:

Taking time to be by yourself and reflect.
Laugh often!
Sharing your thoughts and feelings with those you trust.
Be kind to yourself!
Accept that mistakes happen and learn from them.

Emotional wellness can often be confused with other aspects of wellness. Stay tuned for more aspects of wellness as we dive in!

Get Healthy SHHS!

The 8 Dimensions of Wellness – Social

Posted on April 23, 2024 by shhswell

Happy April Jags! Lets talk wellness!

Let’s quickly discuss wellness vs. health. Health just means the absence of disease. While wellness is more of a gradient, and the goal of wellness is for one to thrive in each aspect.

The next dimension to explore is social wellness. Social wellness refers to the relationships we have and how we interact with others. Social wellness is all about people connecting with people. This can be in relation to family members, spouses, coworkers, friends, even neighbors! Social wellness is different for everyone, but it can include how you express yourself. As humans, we need social interaction in some form and to some extent. If you are an introvert or an extrovert, you will benefit from connecting in some way with other people! The United States Surgeon General has recently notified the public of the “loneliness epidemic” that is currently going on due to the pandemic and the changes that have occurred to society such as working remote more, virtual meetings, and other digital replacements.

The benefits of social wellness include increased self-esteem, reduced depression and anxiety, increased longevity, and development of life skills. Social wellness is impacted by the other dimensions of wellness immensely. Lack of social wellness can decrease mental and physical health, it can also reduce your emotional wellness. Many other dimensions of wellness can serve as opportunities to interact with friends, family, colleagues, etc. Think about physical wellness, work out with a buddy, walk with your spouse, go to a group fitness class, or even going to a public park! Your spiritual wellness could provide opportunities if you practice a religion with other people, or if you practice meditation. Even something like environmental could provide social wellness opportunities during things like a community clean up or spending time in public outdoor spaces.

So here are a few tips to try and start incorporating into your daily schedule to improve your social wellness:

Stay in touch with friends and family, you can text, call/ facetime, or even visit in person.
Join a group, it could be a club, organization, or even going to a group fitness class. There are so many options with this! Find something that interests you and you enjoy, chances are someone else likes that topic too!
Volunteer in your community. This can be through tutoring, doing a neighborhood clean up, or for a charity like your local animal shelter!
Surround yourself with people you care about. In more ways than one, you will benefit from a variety of social interactions.

That is all for social wellness. Starting to see how each dimension can impact the others?

Get Healthy SHHS!

The 8 Dimensions of Wellness- Physical

Posted on April 9, 2024 by shhswell

Happy April Jags! Lets talk wellness!

There are 8 overall dimensions or categories of wellness. Each dimension can and will influence the other dimensions. We will be doing a quick dive to explore each dimension of wellness in this mini-series. We will discuss what each dimension is devised of, how it can impact other parts of your wellness, and more!

Let’s quickly discuss wellness vs. health. Health just means the absence of disease. While wellness is more of a gradient, and the goal of wellness is for one to thrive in each aspect.

Let’s start with physical wellness. Physical wellness is doing things to care for your physical wellness now, and in the future. This can mean something a little different for everyone. Physical wellness can mean participating in physical activity and exercise – such as walking, playing sports, running, lifting weights, or even stretching. Physical wellness can also mean having a regular hygiene practice – such as brushing your teeth, bathing, combing your hair, or even something like cutting your nails! There are many other things than can impact your physical wellness, choices like going to the doctor, washing your hands, vaccinations, nutrition, and other aspects of wellness as well.

The National Institutes of Health state, “Positive physical health habits can help decrease your stress, lower your risk of disease, and increase your energy.” Sometimes, especially in college, taking care of your health and wellness can be overwhelming.

So here are a few tips to try and start incorporating into your daily schedule to improve your physical wellness:

Get active! Whether this is walking, stretching, playing sports, or lifting weights these are all majorly important to your health in so many ways.
Always wash your hands. Even if you don’t think they are dirty or you washed them a few hours ago, it is best practice to wash your hands and rid them of any germs!
Build healthy habits! This could be reducing your tobacco/nicotine habits, trying to eat more fruits and vegetables, drinking more water, or even getting 8 hours of sleep a night. Starting these habits now in college will make it all the more easier to maintain as you go through life.
Utilize your resources and ask a professional! As a college student you have access to various medical professionals at a reduced cost or even free. Take advantage of these resources now, even if you think it isn’t that important.

We will leave physical wellness at that for now, read the other dimensions of wellness to see how they all can impact each other.

Get Healthy SHHS!

Did you know? IU Indy Resource Edition

Posted on January 5, 2024 by shhswell

Did you know about these resources all IU Indianapolis students have access to?

In this blog I am going to discuss 3 resources that are not well known! Keep in mind the wellness directory has all health and wellness resources available to students listed.

The first resource I wanted to highlight is the Tobacco and Nicotine Cessation program. Here you can see more information about trying to quit nicotine.

You can request a coach/counselor, you can learn about nicotine replacement therapy or prescriptions, and even learn how to support those around you trying to quit!This can be your first time trying to quit, or your 100th time trying to quit, either way there are things to help you through this! There are other resources for addition and substance use in general that you could also look into, however this program is designed specifically for tobacco and nicotine.

Next, I want to talk about the free wellness screening you can get from IU Indianapolis Student Health. Free wellness screenings include measurements like your blood cholesterol, blood glucose, blood pressure, height, weight, and BMI. All of these measurements can tell you about your risk for chronic health problems. This is available to all students, including full time, part time, undergraduate or graduate students. Wellness screens can be done on a walk-in basis or with a scheduled appointment. Please be mindful that they are fasting appointments. This is a great resource to manage your health on a budget!

The last resource I want to share is Hoosier Rideboard. This resource is available to all students, faculty, and staff for all IU campuses! Start by searching for Hoosier Rideboard on one.iu.edu and log in. You will make a profile for yourself then you can start searching. You can offer a carpool or search for a one time trip. This can be used for traveling to a different campus, class or work, events, other cities or even the airport! This is a completely free service ONLY available to those within the IU community. You can also look into commuter connect: a free community based program.

I hope these resources help you or a friend out. To learn about all of the resources you have access to, check out the wellness directory linked above!

Get Healthy SHHS!

Did you know? Career Edition

Posted on January 4, 2024 by shhswell

Did you know you have access to career development help?

As an SHHS student, you have access to career experts to support your career development. You can schedule a virtual or in person meeting to help you with resume, cover letters, graduate school applications, interview techniques, networking, and even identifying career goals.

Top 10 Skills for Career Development and Progression

I would always recommend asking for help in this area of life! You are paving your own path!

As a student, you have access to a wide variety of people. Ask your professors, bosses, supervisors, and even internship director for connections in your field. This is the time to start building your network. Your time in college is meant to prepare you for your career, there is no need to wait until graduation. You can also check out this link and learn about job and internship opportunities through the school.

Interested in a job, but not entirely sure what all it entails? Reach out to your connections and ask if they know if anyone who may be willing to talk with you about getting started in this field, or ask people you admire to schedule a time to chat about their position. In an informational meeting, you can ask someone what their day to day roles look like, they journey to their current job, tips for a college student/recent graduate, or even what their favorite part of their job is. This can give you an idea if the job is something you are interested in, give you ideas for your next steps, and simply create a connection.

College Networking: Tips for Leveraging Your Contacts

Want to schedule an appointment or learn more about career advising? Check out the website!

Get Healthy SHHS!

Did you know? Brain Breaks Edition

Posted on December 12, 2023 by shhswell

Did you know that sitting less can help you prevent chronic health problems?

It’s true! Check it out, there is lots of research and resources talking about sitting less and moving more! Sedentary time, or the amount of time spent sitting, has been increasing for years now. Remember- the goal is to get at least 150 minutes of physical activity or exercise in each week! However, the more you move your body, the better it is for your health!

Physical activity can help prevent chronic health problems, such as hypertension, diabetes, and even mental health issues like depression and anxiety. Moving your body can even help you focus! “Movement breaks” are often small snippets of physical activity or stretching to break up the length of time you are sitting. With the increase in blood flow, comes and increase in oxygen and other chemicals to help you feel good and concentrate better.

Give Your Brain a Break: Using brain breaks during learning - The College School

Next time you are studying, working on a big project, or have just been sitting for a long time- try out some of these movements to get your blood flowing:

Dancing

Marching in place/ Walking

Stretching (think door stretches, hamstring stretches , hip circles)

Touching your toes

Butt kickers

Ankle Circles

Wrist Circles/ stretches

Aim for 1x every hour, get up, stretch, and take a short break! Your brain will thank you.

Get Healthy SHHS!

SHHS Research Studies

Posted on December 1, 2023 by shhswell

Did you know there are NUMEROUS research studies going on within SHHS? In this blog I will provide some information on those within the Kinesiology department, along with information to participate if you are interested.

Starting out, there is a study that is technically through the Indiana Center for Musculoskeletal Health, but one of our professors within the Physical Therapy department is heading it, so why not mention it? This is the Fit Core Study: FIT Core | Indiana Center for Musculoskeletal Health | IU School of Medicine You will get a Bone Density Scan, on top of a few other tests like hand grip strength, walking speed, and chair stands. This study provides a $40 gift card for participating, anyone over age 5 is eligible to participate. If you are interested all you have to do is follow that link and email or call the center (information listed on the website) and tell them you are interested in participating.

Next up is the HIIT Rowing and Muscle Fatigue Study. This study is looking to see if a high intensity interval training rowing exercise protocol will produce differences in muscle fatigue compared to a traditional rowing exercise protocol. There are 3 total visits required for this study, but you will get a $20 Amazon gift card for participating. If you are interested in this study email iupuirowhiit@gmail.com

Study number three is looking for adults with sleep apnea. Volunteers needed to investigate the effect of brief bouts of physical activity on bodily pain in adults with obstructive sleep apnea. Participants will be asked to complete five visits for this research study. Three visits will be conducted in person in the Physical Activity and Pain Lab in the IUPUI Athletic and Fitness Center. The other two visits will be conducted by phone or e-mail. During the first visit participants will be asked to complete a series of questionnaires regarding pain, sleep, and physical activity. A brief pain assessment will also be conducted using a device called an algometer. An algometer is a small device used to apply a controlled amount of pressure to a given area of the body. The algometer will be used to determine the minimum sensitivity to pain caused by pressure. Participants will also be asked to wear an activity monitor during the day and at night for one week. During visit #2 and visit #4 participants will be asked to complete either a walking intervention or a sitting intervention. Different assessments will be administered during each intervention to assess levels of fatigue and pain at specific time points. For visit #3 and visit #5 participants will complete a follow-up assessment conducted by phone or e-mail. Participants will be asked to complete two questionnaires regarding pain and sleep quality. Compensation in the form of a gift card will be provided. For more information call 317-278-8439 or e-mail mteegard@iu.edu

The next two studies are looking at the effects of Beet Root Juice. Research subjects needed to determine the effects of beetroot juice on muscle function in men and women

Study Eligibility: Men and Women age 18-44 years old, Less than 180 minutes per week of vigorous-intensity activity – OR- Less than 7 days of any combination of walking, moderate-intensity or vigorous-intensity activities. No current antibiotic use. No current smokers. No hypertension (resting blood pressure >140/>90). No hormonal contraceptives currently or within the past year This study Involves: Having function of arm and calf muscles tested, Having the arm and calf muscles electrically stimulated, Drinking beetroot juice, Providing blood samples, and a total of 3 visit. Participants will receive compensation of $200 for their time in completing the study. Risks will be disclosed prior to enrollment in the study. All study visits will take place at IUPUI Athletics and Fitness Center. For more details, please contact: William Zoughaib wzoughai@iu.edu

Research participants needed to determine the effects of sex and menstrual cycle phase on response to beet root juice. Study Eligibility: Men and Women age 18-44 years old, Less than 180 minutes per week of vigorous-intensity activity – OR – Less than 7 days per week of any combination of walking, moderate-intensity or vigorous-intensity activities. No current antibiotic use. No current smokers. No hypertension (resting blood pressure >140/>90). No hormonal contraceptives currently or within the past year. Study Involves: Having function of thigh muscles tested, Having the thigh muscles electrically stimulated, Drinking beetroot juice, Providing blood samples, and a total of 3 -5 visits. Participants will receive compensation of $100 per experimental visit for their time in completing the study. All study visits will take place at IUPUI Athletics and Fitness Center. Risks will be disclosed prior to enrollment in the study. For more information contact: Madison Fry mjfry@iu.edu

The last study I will mention today is the Kinesio Tape research study. This study is examining the effects of Kinesio tape (elastic therapeutic tape) on delayed onset muscle soreness. Healthy volunteers between the ages of 18-30 are needed. If you complete all 4 visits you will receive $20 in gift cards. If interested email pain114d@iupui.edu

Earn some cash, learn about your body and help further scientific research!

Get Healthy SHHS!