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!
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