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Wellness is the dynamic process of working toward achieving your maximum potential in each dimension of wellness. Dimensions of wellness include social wellness, occupational wellness, spiritual wellness, physical wellness, intellectual wellness, financial wellness, and community and environmental wellness. All aspects of wellness are intertwined.

Small, simple changes to your everyday habits can make a big difference in how you feel, look, and function. For example, exercise is not only heart-healthy, it also reduces stress. Although we will never be able to eliminate the stress of life, research shows that it’s how we deal with stress that counts. The goal isn’t perfection: it’s balance.

Try incorporating some of the tips found here and feel the difference! The links below provide suggestions for activities that contribute to wellness, including on and off-campus resources.

Social Wellness

Social wellness involves building and maintaining healthy, supportive relationships. It’s about connecting with others, practicing empathy and communication, embracing diversity, and fostering a sense of belonging. Strong social connections enhance emotional resilience, reduce stress, and contribute to overall well-being.

1. Join a  or  just for fun!
2. Focus on deeper, more present conversations-focus first on understanding instead of formulating a quick response in your head while the other person is talking. Learn more about active listening .
3. Socialize offline as well as online. Face-to-face interaction is just as, if not more important, as online communication.
4. Learn the power of forgiveness. When someone hurts you, it’s hard to forget. In the end, holding on to anger only continues to hurt yourself.

Occupational Wellness

Occupational wellness is receiving personal fulfillment from one’s work by performing with integrity, enthusiasm, and fully engaging in your job duties. Work-life balance is key to occupational wellness.

5. Meet with career services to discuss your career goals.
6. Reach out to someone in your field of interest and schedule a time to talk to them about their job. Ask them what they like and dislike, how they obtained their current and previous roles, what their goals are, and general impression of the job market.
7. Develop functional, transferable skills (such as customer service and sales) in your current position that will serve you well in the future.
8. Take an internship or part-time job. Both are valuable learning experiences that can help you discern your career goals and provide references for future job opportunities.

Physical Wellness

Physical wellness is the ability to engage fully in activities of our daily life without undue physical strain or fatigue. The ability to recognize the relationship between healthful habits and optimal physical health (such as eating a balanced diet, daily exercise, obtaining immunizations, etc.) is essential to physical wellness. Conversely, one should recognize that destructive habits (such as unsafe sex, tobacco use, not wearing a seat belt) can lead to disease, physical harm, and sub-optimal physical health. Physical wellness is a combination of muscular and cardiovascular strength, endurance, and flexibility.

9. Eat a plant-based, whole foods diet that emphasizes colorful fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Meet with the Nutrition & Wellness Manager for a nutrition/wellness consultation.
10. Participate in Lauderdale Health Center’s Wellness Series for Gold
11. Get moving! . Attend a fitness class or work out at the , park further away from your campus destination, and work up to walking 10,000 steps a day.
12. Stay hydrated. Drinking enough water is key to feeling energized. Try adding some fruits, vegetables, and herbs to make water more interesting, such as watermelon, cucumber, and mint.

Spiritual Wellness

Spiritual wellness is finding congruence between our values and actions and developing inner peace. Spiritual wellness involves recognizing our purpose and feeling a sense of meaning and belonging in our lives.

13. Actively practice gratitude:
    1. Send three thank-you text messages per month
    2. Write three social media thank-you messages per month
    3. Write a handwritten thank-you note to a coworker or friend once a month
14. Unplug. Schedule one hour of device-free time every day, or one entire day per week. Take a walk or go for a bike-ride, sit outside and appreciate the , people-watch, or take a bath. Have a device-free family dinner or make a rule at your next dinner with friends that the first person who looks at their phone pays or washes the dishes.
15. Find your center. Attend a yoga class at the ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉú Workout Center.
16. Try to be mindful, live in the moment, and appreciate life’s simple pleasures. When interacting with others, give your full attention. When you are glancing at your phone or computer, or thinking about your to-do list, those around you pick up on cues that you are not fully listening. You aren’t accomplishing anything by trying to do two things at once. If you are busy, schedule a time to devote your full attention to the topic of conversation. Studies show we can’t actually multitask, but we can do several tasks poorly at the same time.

Intellectual Wellness

Intellectual wellness is constantly challenging your mind. Learning never ends. Research shows learning a new skill prevents dementia and cognitive decline.

17. Play , like crossword puzzles, to strengthen your memory and learning skills.
18. Read a book that isn’t required reading.
19. Consult peer-reviewed, well-renowned publications in staying abreast of developments in your line of work or study. Remember, learning is a life-long process.
20.  Connecting important information, such as names, to visual cues can help you remember. Remembering someone’s name is a great way to make a lasting first impression. Making a connection with something already familiar to you assists in memory.

Financial Wellness

Financial wellness is the ability to live within one’s means. Financial wellness encompasses an understanding of one’s personal budget and preparing for future financial emergencies and transitions. Being financially healthy isn’t about being rich; it’s about spending money on what you value and having the skills to cope with financial pressures.

21. Visit financial tip websites, listen to finance podcasts (, and gather budget info:
22. Audit your credit or debit card account for one month. What can you eliminate from your spending? Use this experience to help you make a budget you can stick to. Save or invest the gap between your income and spending over the long term-bonus points if you automate this! 
23. Know your credit score:

Environmental Wellness

Community and environmental wellness are the ability to recognize that we all play an integral role in maintaining the quality of the natural world around us. Environmental wellness incorporates environmentally responsible activities and awareness of limited natural resources.

24. Volunteer at an organization such as Habitat for Humanity or a food bank, visit a nursing home or hospital, or contribute to a cause you care about.
25. Use reusable water bottles, mugs and grocery bags to reduce waste.
26. Buy local. As much as possible, patronize local businesses and focus on products made as locally as possible. Go to a farmers market. Farmers markets are fantastic sources of local, seasonal, and inexpensive produce that are more nutrient-dense than those flown in from across the globe.