Health and Wellness

The concept of wellness is not at all new. A healthy campus community values the well-being of students and understands that it is critical to student success, degree completion, and producing successful alumni. As demonstrated by several institution of higher education collegiate recreation is well positioned to significantly impact those students struggling with health and behavior challenges by leading an integrated approach to embedding health and well-being as core pillars of university culture.

Many wellness models exist; while they share the same premises but often have differing numbers of dimensions with a varied array of labels. Simply, wellness is an expansion of the idea of health. Just because one is absent of any illness symptoms does not make one “well.” Fahey, Insel, and Roth (2001) suggest that “Wellness is the ability to live life fully with vitality and meaning.” This approach requires that we are proactive, intentional, and committed to our development responsibilities. Additionally, no one wellness dimension stands alone. Dimensions of wellness interact with each other and all must be attended to in order for us to move toward and enhanced state of well-being in our campus community.

Members of the division of Student Affairs as well as other campus and community partners use this model as a guide for our work. We seek to offer programs and services that assist students in their holistic development.

How well are you?

Dimensions of Well-being

Mind and Body
The ability to identify physical and psychological needs, manage a range of emotions and be aware of the physical body’s needs, limitations, and potential.

Ways to Enhance this Dimension
- Apply knowledge of nutrition, fitness, personal hygiene, and health care in one’s daily life.
- Choose behaviors and environments that reduce risk and promote a healthy, active lifestyle.
- Make informed, responsible decisions related to alcohol and other substances.
- Maintain a sexually responsible lifestyle.
- Be responsible for one’s personal safety.
- Seek a realistic understanding of one’s strengths and weaknesses.
- Acknowledge how thoughts and feelings affect well-being.
- Form appropriate strategies for managing stress.
Related Programs and Services
- LSSU Health Care Services
- University Recreation
- Regional Outdoor Center
- LSSU Counseling Services
- LSSU Dining Services
- Public Safety
- Peers Advocating Wellness for Students
- Title IX
- Academic Department (Kinesiology, Nursing)
- Chippewa County Health Department (Prevention, Personal and Family Health, Environmental Health)
Social
The ability to create harmony in one’s relationships with others, demonstrate effective communication skills, develop the capacity for healthy intimacy and cultivate a support network of caring friends and/or family members.

Ways to Enhance this Dimension
- Envision faculty, staff, students, and members of the community as individuals.
- Establish and maintain satisfying interpersonal relationships.
- Develop a sense of belonging.
- Work cooperatively with others.
- Communicate opinions, thoughts, and feelings with civility.
- Pursue opportunities for enjoyment of shared interests with others.
- Create time for fun.
Related Programs and Services
- University Recreation
- Regional Outdoor Center
- Campus Life Office
- University Activities Board
- Registered Student Organizations
- Student Government
- Laker Athletics
- Residence Life
- Greek Life
- Volunteer Center
- Diversity Office
Cultural
The ability to explore of one’s own background, appreciate the diversity and richness present in one’s own culture and within the culture of others.

Ways to Enhance this Dimension
- Comprehend one’s personal identity and culture and integrate them into one’s own personal outlook.
- Learn about, seek contact with, interact with, and co-exist with people from different identities and cultures.
- Recognize the legitimacy and contributions of varying identities and cultures.
- Establish relationships/alliances with people of different cultures to collaborate on mutual goals.
- Distinguish structures of power and privilege.
- Advocate and affirm cultural diversity.
Related Programs and Services
- Leadership and Service Education
- Diversity Office
- Residence Life
- Study Abroad Office
- Registered Student Organizations
- Student Government
- Special Interest Student Organizations
- Faith Based Student Organizations
- Political Student Organizations
Community
The ability to relate to and connect with others, contribute to the common welfare of society through service to others and address the relationship between an individual and members of various communities.

Ways to Enhance this Dimension
- Be mindful and respectful of others while actively contributing to a climate of inclusion.
- Recognize the impact personal choices have on a community.
- Understand one’s role in, personal responsibility for, and the impact personal choices have on multiple communities.
- Recognize uncivil, unfair, and unjust behaviors and challenge them appropriately.
- Care about the welfare of others and act out of care.
- Establish leadership skills which will enrich one’s community and organizations.
- Participate in service and service learning opportunities.
- Recognize the mutually beneficial nature of service.
Related Programs and Services
- Leadership and Service Education
- Diversity Office Programming
- Student Clubs and Organizations
- Student Government Association
- Residence Life
- Study Abroad Office
- Special Interest Groups (Student Orgs.)
- Athletics
- Faith Based (Student Orgs.)
Life Skills
The ability to develop self efficacy and discipline leading to the effective management of resources to meet the challenges of daily life.

Ways to Enhance this Dimension
- Acquire and practice fiscally responsible behaviors including planning for short term, long term, and emergency expenses.
- Develop independent living skills.
- Prioritize long-term goals and objectives.
- Connect interests, experiences, strengths, and life/career goals.
- Work to ensure the sustainability of natural resources.
- Achieve balance between education, work, involvement, and leisure.
Related Programs and Services
- Academic Success Center
- Career Services
- Financial Aid
- Residence Life
- Accessibility Services
Meaning and Purpose
The ability to explore personal beliefs and values helping to add direction and connectedness to life.

Ways to Enhance this Dimension
- Identify and clarify personal identity, ethical, spiritual, and moral values.
- Find meaningful ways to express one’s human spirit.
- Differentiate between one’s thoughts and feelings.
- Articulate and function from a personal belief system.
- Understand the mind and body connection.
- Explore values and interests as they relate to post-college opportunities.
Related Programs and Services
- Career Services
- Counseling Services
- Volunteer Center
- Spiritual Organizations
Intellectual
The ability to problem solve, explore creative expression, adopt new ideas, think critically and pursue topics of personal interest.

Ways to Enhance this Dimension
- Recognize and utilize academic support programs and services as appropriate.
- Identify educational goals and strive to achieve them.
- Explore new experiences.
- Integrate classroom knowledge in day-to-day life and conversations beyond the classroom.
- Incorporate experiential learning and life lessons both within classroom conversations and beyond.
- Increase awareness of current events.
- Cultivate an appreciation for the arts.
Related Programs and Services
- Learning Center
- Academic Advising
- Library
- Accessibility Services Services
- Math Tutoring Lab
- Learning Commons
- Academic Organizations (Student Orgs.)