From its opening, the Barnes Center at The Arch has approached health and wellness holistically. But what does “holistic” mean and how can the Orange community support holistic health and wellness within their daily lives, even as we navigate the COVID-19 pandemic?
For those at the University, rigorous sanitary practices and upholding the Stay Safe Pledge are at the front of everyone’s minds, but there are additional components to health and wellness that can impact overall well-being that should stay forefront as well. The Barnes Center at The Arch recognizes that holistic health and wellness is centered on the individual, treating every aspect of the human experience—mind, body, spirit and community—with equal importance. Through the Barnes Center lens, health and wellness is a multifaceted journey—a unique and ever-evolving experience for every student. Using a holistic lens, the health and wellness team hopes to share with the Orange community an understanding that the different aspects of these human experiences are connected.
In the pursuit of enhancing the student experience and with this knowledge as a catalyst, the health and wellness team has started building the foundation of incorporating the Barnes Center at The Arch Wellness Wheel. This includes the Dimensions of Wellness and an inner core of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility to support students as they discover and grow what health and wellness means to them on a personal level.
Barnes Center at The Arch peer educator, Mars Murray ’20, is one student who incorporates daily holistic health and wellness practices to combat the stresses of college life. “Struggling to juggle classes, extracurriculars, employment and more during such an exhaustive time—it can be easy to forget about the value of your health and wellness,” she says. “I find myself becoming extremely overwhelmed at times, but I always try to dig up a little extra energy to practice mindfulness activities, such as yoga or journaling. Sometimes you forget to take care of yourself, and that’s OK, but we must do our best to make time to avoid being completely overwhelmed and stuck in a loop.”
Supportive of evolving and unique student health and wellness journeys, the Barnes Center offers in-person and virtual opportunities that weave together holistic health and wellness. Some highlighted resources below are hosted on the Wellness Portal. If this is your first time using the Wellness Portal, please visit the Barnes Center at The Arch website for detailed instructions.
College is a stressful time. Having to balance schoolwork, internship applications and relationships, while adapting to independent life can be wholly overwhelming. Offering something for everyone, the Wellness Leadership Institute workshop series, hosted on the Wellness Portal, is an engaging and convenient way to ease into living and thriving as a young adult. In-person, virtual live or by video, workshops teach valuable skills for life in college and beyond.
Workshops offered throughout the year cover every Dimension of Wellness, with presentations on topics like “Career vs. Job: Why the Difference Matters,” “Putting it Bluntly (Cannabis 101)” and “Stress Management,” to name a few. Students who attend at least one workshop within each of the Dimensions of Wellness receive a graduation medallion and certificate. Often this is achievable within a semester. Faculty and staff are invited to explore opportunities to include workshops within classes, groups and more.
Sanvello (Stress, Anxiety and Depression Management) Mobile App
Since the start of the pandemic, many have noted an increase in feelings of loneliness, fear, uncertainty and more. Convenient and with free premium access, the Sanvello Mobile App offers support for stress, anxiety and depression management. Resources within the app are based in cognitive-behavioral therapy and mindfulness tactics, such as daily mood check-ins, guided or solo meditations, guided wellness journeys and more. Use your Syracuse University email (i.e. @syr.edu) today to get started!
EAT-SLEEP-MOVE-BREATHE Challenge
The Barnes Center at The Arch is challenging students to build holistic health and wellness into their daily lives. A variety of self-care programs and services are offered addressing four categories: nutrition, sleep hygiene, physical activity and mindfulness. Students who participate have the chance to earn up to 15 points across different challenge categories. Those who earn 15 points will win Barnes Center swag!
It is essential to have accurate information and supplies to keep sex safe. The Safer Sex Express is a no cost, discreet sexual health supply ordering service that empowers Syracuse University students to make safe and proactive sexual health decisions. Free Safer Sex Express orders host a variety of options, are packaged discreetly to ensure privacy, and students may choose between pick-up and residence hall delivery options.
Pick-up locations include the Barnes Center at The Arch, across from the Pharmacy, and newly expanded to the lobby of the Goldstein Student Center on South Campus.
Beyond filling prescriptions, the Barnes Center at The Arch Pharmacy hosts a virtual retail service available to the Orange community. The Virtual Retail Pharmacy, hosted on the Wellness Portal, is home to a large selection of common, over-the counter and general health and wellness supplies. Online orders are available for pick-up within two to four hours of placing your order. Highlights of available options include the following. Essential Cold/Flu Supplies
For more holistic health and wellness opportunities visit the Barnes Center at The Arch website. For questions or to request accommodations, please email the Barnes Center at The Arch at BarnesCenter@syr.edu or call 315.443.8000.
Written by Division of Enrollment and the Student Experience intern Cecelia Kersten ’23, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications.
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