National Wellness Month
National Wellness Month, celebrated in August, promotes overall well-being by encouraging focus on physical, mental, emotional, and social health. Suggested activities include exercising, eating healthily, managing stress, connecting with others, taking social media breaks, practicing mindfulness, and prioritizing sleep.
Wellness is…
- Caring for your mind, body, and soul.
- Affected by your culture and life experiences.
- Self-defined and dynamic.
- Not only the absence of illness or stress. You can strive for wellness even if you are experiencing these challenges in life.
Eight Dimensions of Wellness
Emotional Wellness
Emotional wellness involves developing an awareness of your emotions and how you respond to daily interactions. This self-awareness helps you understand the reasons behind your feelings and empowers you to manage them in a healthy, intentional way.
Ways to Support Your Emotional Wellness:
- Take time for yourself. Quiet your mind, reflect, and allow space to recharge.
- Smile and laugh. Sometimes, humor truly is the best medicine—it helps reduce stress and offers a healthier perspective on life’s challenges.
- Seek and accept support. Don’t hesitate to reach out for help or lean on others when needed. We all need support sometimes.
- Share openly. Talk about your thoughts and feelings with someone you trust—and be sure to listen to others as well.
- Practice gratitude. Acknowledging what you’re thankful for can shift your mindset and improve emotional balance.
- Learn from mistakes. Everyone slips up. The key is to accept those moments, reflect, and grow from them.
- Care for your body. Your mental and physical health are deeply connected. Prioritize healthy eating, movement, and restful sleep.
- Be kind to yourself. Treat yourself with the same compassion you’d offer a friend.
Occupational Wellness
Occupational wellness encourages you to explore different career paths and pursue opportunities that align with your passions and values. This dimension of well-being emphasizes the importance of finding satisfaction, enrichment, and meaning through your work—whether in a paid job, volunteer role, or personal project.
Ways to Foster Occupational Wellness:
- Reflect regularly. Consider where you find joy, purpose, and meaning in your daily life and work.
- Keep an open mind. Stay curious and willing to explore new possibilities, even if they’re outside your current path.
- Use available resources. Take advantage of career services, mentorship programs, and job placement tools.
- Explore opportunities. Engage in internships, volunteering, or part-time work to discover what energizes you.
- Communicate effectively. Practice open dialogue and healthy conflict resolution with coworkers and supervisors.
- Set realistic goals. Establish meaningful career objectives and create a plan to achieve them at your own pace.
Intellectual Wellness
Intellectual wellness encourages curiosity, creativity, and a lifelong love of learning. It involves engaging in mentally stimulating activities that expand your knowledge, challenge your thinking, and foster personal growth. Intellectual wellness can be nurtured through academics, cultural exploration, community involvement, and personal hobbies—all of which enrich your perspective and allow you to share your skills and knowledge with others.
Ways to Foster Intellectual Wellness
- Be open-minded. Stay receptive to new ideas, perspectives, and experiences.
- Practice active listening. Focus fully on understanding others—it’s a powerful way to learn and grow.
- Pick up a hobby. Hobbies are not only enjoyable but also a great way to learn new skills.
- Study abroad or travel. Immersing yourself in different cultures broadens your worldview and deepens your understanding.
- Take a class outside your major. Exploring subjects outside your usual focus can spark new interests and insights.
- Read for pleasure. Whether fiction or nonfiction, reading stimulates your mind and encourages reflection.
- Attend seminars or conferences. Discover new topics, hear expert insights, and engage with fresh ideas.
- Learn a new language. Language learning enhances cognitive function and opens up new cultural experiences.
- Participate in research opportunities. Dive deeper into subjects that interest you and contribute to the broader knowledge base.
Environmental Wellness
Environmental wellness involves living in harmony with the Earth by recognizing our responsibility to protect and sustain the natural world. It emphasizes the relationship between ourselves, our communities, and the environment. At its core, environmental wellness is rooted in respect—for nature, for other species, and for the shared spaces we all inhabit.
Ways to Foster Environmental Wellness
- Pick up litter. Help keep your community clean and safe for everyone.
- Spend time outdoors. Connecting with nature can reduce stress and deepen your appreciation for the environment.
- Bike or walk when possible. Choosing alternative transportation reduces your carbon footprint and supports your physical wellness.
- Use reusable items. Carry a refillable water bottle and reusable bags to minimize single-use waste.
- Conserve water. Be mindful of how much water you use in daily activities like showering or washing dishes.
- Recycle. Properly dispose of materials to reduce landfill waste and support sustainability.
- Visit a farmer’s market. Support local agriculture and reduce the environmental impact of long-distance food transportation.
- Turn off lights and electronics. Save energy by powering down when you’re not using them.
- Unplug from technology. Take breaks from screens to reconnect with the natural world.
- Donate unused clothing. Give your items a second life instead of sending them to a landfill.
Financial Wellness
Financial wellness is the process of learning how to effectively manage your financial resources. Because money plays a significant role in your life, your financial habits can directly impact your stress levels, physical health, and even academic or professional performance. Building financial wellness means developing a balanced approach to budgeting, spending, and planning for both short- and long-term goals.
Ways to Foster Financial Wellness
- Start small. Simple changes—like making your own coffee instead of buying it—can add up over time.
- Use available resources. Look into programs like CalFresh and student discounts to help stretch your budget.
- Understand your student loans. Know your repayment options, interest rates, and long-term impact.
- Open a savings account. Even small automatic monthly deposits can help you build financial security.
- Be proactive. Identify potential financial challenges early and take steps to manage them before they grow.
- Plan ahead. Set realistic budget goals and track your progress.
- Track your spending. Review your bank statements or write down everything you purchase for a week.
- Make shopping lists. Avoid impulse buys by planning your purchases ahead of time.
- Pause before you buy. Ask yourself, “Do I really need this?” before making unplanned purchases.
Physical Wellness
Physical wellness is the ability to maintain a healthy quality of life that allows you to engage fully in daily activities without excessive fatigue or physical stress. It recognizes that your daily choices and behaviors—such as exercise, nutrition, sleep, and preventive care—play a vital role in your overall health and well-being.
Ways to Foster Physical Wellness
- Move your body regularly. Aim for at least 30 minutes of physical activity each day. You can break it up into smaller sessions, like three 10-minute walks.
- Take the stairs. When possible, choose the stairs over the elevator or escalator for a quick and easy way to stay active.
- Listen to your body. Learn to recognize early signs of illness or fatigue so you can respond with rest or medical care.
- Eat foods that make you feel good. Choose nourishing meals that support your energy, focus, and mood.
- Prioritize sleep. Maintain a consistent sleep schedule and aim for 7–9 hours of rest each night.
Social Wellness
Social wellness involves building and maintaining healthy, supportive, and meaningful relationships with individuals, groups, and communities. It emphasizes the importance of communication, trust, mutual respect, and conflict management. Social wellness also encourages an appreciation of diversity and a respect for both yourself and others, including people from different cultures and backgrounds.
Ways to Foster Social Wellness
- Reflect on your social needs. Consider which aspects of your social life you enjoy and where you’d like to grow.
- Stay connected. Make an effort to maintain relationships with supportive friends, family, and mentors.
- Engage in conversations. Participate in group discussions and practice active listening to build deeper connections.
- Join a club or organization. Find a group that shares your interests or values to expand your social network.
- Participate in study groups. Collaborating academically can foster both learning and connection.
- Volunteer in your community. Giving back is a powerful way to meet new people and contribute to a sense of belonging.
Spiritual Wellness
Spiritual wellness helps us connect with our inner selves, allowing us to find meaning in life’s events and define our individual purpose. It often arises from beliefs, faith, values, ethics, or moral principles that provide guidance and direction. Nurturing a healthy spirit builds resilience and prepares us to face life’s challenges with strength.
Ways to Foster Spiritual Wellness
- Exploring your inner self. Take time to reflect on who you are and what truly matters to you.
- Meditating or practicing mindful relaxation. Quiet your mind and focus on the present moment.
- Practicing acceptance. Learn to accept life’s uncertainties with openness and peace.
- Being curious. If something sparks your curiosity, pause and explore it more deeply.
- Seeking a religious faith or philosophy that aligns with your values. This can offer a sense of purpose and belonging.
- Traveling and experiencing other cultures. Embrace new perspectives to expand your understanding and spiritual growth.
