Good health and wellness are cornerstones of our prevention focused efforts at the William Magee Center for AOD and Wellness Education. Wellness is an active process of pursing individual discovery of health, personal growth, and quality of life. It is not simply the absence of illness. Our goal is to work collaboratively and in conjunction with campus partners to address all dimensions of wellness to make the University of Mississippi campus community the healthiest campus it can be.
Explore our Ten Dimensions of Wellness
Our ten dimensions of wellness are a mutually interdependent, holistic approach to achieving well-being in your life. It is important to address each dimension equally, to achieve the best version of yourself and to be successful and productive students academically and in your future career.
Move
Physical Wellness
Definition
Physical wellness is the ability to properly take care of the needs of your physical body to function well.
Breakdown
Physical Activity
- 150 minutes per week of moderate intensity exercise
- Aim for 10,000 steps per day
- Lifting weights, running, walking, dancing, yoga, anything counts!
Diet
- 2-3 servings of fruits/vegetables each day
- 8 cups of water a day
- Avoid processed foods or foods high in fat, sugar or salt
Sleep
- Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep each night
- Create regular bedtime routine
- Limit screen time before sleep
- Make ideal sleep environment
Hygiene
- Shower everyday
- Wash hands frequently
- Brush teeth twice a day
- Regular cleaning schedule
Substance Use
- Know the laws regarding alcohol & drugs
- Use the buddy system
- Make a plan to have safe ride
- Be sure to have a good meal & stay hydrated
Balance
Mental Wellness
Definition
A state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the emotions and normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and able to contribute to his or her community
Mental and emotional wellness involves the awareness and acceptance of one’s feelings, emotions and thoughts whether they are negative, positive, or indifferent.
Breakdown
Coping
- Take care of your physical body
- Recognize self-care activities to reduce and manage stress
- Learn time management skills
Emotional Health
- Tune into your thoughts and feelings
- Accept and forgive yourself
- Create satisfying relationships
Resources
- Be in tune to warning signs of mental illness
- Seek professional therapeutic services
- Know university & community resources for mental wellness
Sustain
Environmental Wellness
Definition
An awareness of the earth and the effects your daily habits have on the physical environment. It consists of maintaining a way of life that maximizes harmony and minimizes harm to the environment.
Environmental wellness inspires us to live a lifestyle that is respectful of our surroundings. This realm encourages us to live in harmony with the Earth by taking action to protect it. Environmental well-being promotes interaction with nature and your personal environment. Everyone can have a strong environmental conscious simply by raising their awareness.
Breakdown
- Recycle
- Be aware of your consumption of energy through your daily habits
- Walk or bike instead of driving
- Volunteer with environmental organizations
- Spend time in nature by walking, camping, hiking, etc.
- Be aware of your personal environment and how it can affect your well-being
Connect
Social Wellness
Definition
The ability to communicate, develop meaningful relationships with others, and maintain a support network that helps you thrive. It includes active participation and involvement in one’s community and campus.
Breakdown
- Get involved on campus
- Attend university activities and programs, sporting events, and student organizations
- Volunteer for a cause that is personal to you
- Challenge yourself to grow in all relationships
Engage
Intellectual Wellness
Definition
Intellectual wellness measures the degree to which an individual engages in creative and thought-provoking mental activities.
Breakdown
- Prioritize opportunities to engaging in learning opportunities
- Devote time to critically challenge your mind
- Be open-minded
- Provide yourself the space to learn new skills or hobbies
- Explore unfamiliar communities through travel, networking, or in the classroom
- Express your creative side by exploring a myriad of artistic expressions
Respect
Sexual Wellness
Definition
Sexual wellness requires a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships, as well as the possibility of having pleasurable and safe sexual experiences, free of coercion, discrimination, and violence.
Breakdown
Personal Values
- Be comfortable in your expression of your gender and sexuality
- Explore your values and align your choices
- Effective communication with partners
Healthy Relationships
- Guide conversations to gain effective consent from both partners
- Openly and respectfully discussing issues and boundaries
- Be kind and empathic to one another and provide comfort and support
Protection
- Understand conceptive options
- Using protection if you choose to engage
- Routine sexual health checkups & self-exams (male & female)
Resources
- Know campus & community accessibly for sexual wellness resources
- Getting regular STD checks if you chose to be sexually active
- Understand University & Campus policies surrounding consent
Manage
Financial Wellness
Definition
Financial wellness involves taking steps to live comfortably within your means and planning for future financial requirements
Breakdown
- Take advantage of student discounts
- Keep organized record of your finances
- Keep a routine budget and set monthly goals
- Prioritize expenses
- Understand implications of loans & leases for cars, housing, tuition, etc.
- Make a future plan for managing student loan debt
Reflect
Spiritual Wellness
Definition
Spiritual wellness encourages individuals to increase their understanding of their beliefs, values, and ethics that help guide them in their everyday lives.
Breakdown
- Explore your beliefs, morals, and values
- Find purpose and reasoning for your actions and life
- Have the ability to explain what you believe
- Caring and acting for the welfare of others
- Routinely practice reflective self-care such as journaling, yoga, meditation, etc
Evolve
Cultural Wellness
Definition
Cultural wellness involves awareness of one’s own culture, accepting and valuing other cultures, and expanding our knowledge of cultures different from our own.
Breakdown:
- Being able to recognize and develop your own cultural identity
- Becoming aware of diversity and richness in other cultural backgrounds
- Learning and respecting impacts of cultural diversity
- Developing an understanding of your own culture and values you hold
- Becoming aware and accepting of diversity
- Researching cultures other than your own
- Understanding the impact of different aspects of diversity, such as race, gender, sexual orientation, disabilities, ethnic backgrounds, and age groups.
- Seek out resources on campus
Resources
Prepare
Occupational Wellness
Definition
Occupational wellness allows you to explore a school major, future career options and opportunities that will bring fulfillment to your life.
Breakdown:
- Engaging in work that is meaningful and aligns with your personal values
- Having satisfaction in your career/profession
- Addressing workplace stress and conflict management
- Ability to balance work and leisure activities
- Formulating career goals, building resume, and participating in mock interviews
- Reaching out to Career Services Office to develop and implement these plans
- Reflecting on your occupational needs, likes, and dislikes
- Exploring work related opportunities, both paid and unpaid
- Practicing open communication and conflict resolution with colleagues
- Setting professional and workplace boundaries
Resources
