When the Barnes Center at The Arch thinks about health and wellness, they focus on an integrated model where all aspects of our life contribute to our well-being. Enter the Wellness Wheel. The Wellness Wheel is a visual representation of how eight dimensions of wellness and it’s core of diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility come together and impact our well-being. Want to learn more about the dimensions of wellness? Keep reading!
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility is the core of the Wellness Wheel because well-being is intricately tied to our individual identities and impacted by systemic health inequities. Systemic health inequities have been historically known to impact individuals in our communities based on their ability, status, age, ethnicity or national origin, gender identity, immigration status, mental health status, recovery status, race, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and veteran or military status. Knowing this, we cannot achieve holistic health and wellness without acknowledging systems of oppression that exist in our communities. There are a number of ways we can explore our identities and foster a more inclusive environment.
Career
Career wellness involves finding fulfillment and balance in work and academic life. We can explore and nurture this dimension of wellness by expanding and using our skills, seeking mentorship opportunities and establishing career objectives and creating healthy work-life balance habits. Campus resources for strengthening career wellness include Career Services, Handshake, and more!
Emotional
Emotional wellness is about being aware of and accepting our feelings and the feelings of others. Nurturing our emotional wellness helps us cope with stress, life changes and decision making. On-campus resources to strengthen emotional wellness include counseling, the Sanvello app and more!
Environmental
Environmental wellness involves feeling content in the spaces that we live, work and play. It can be how clean our room is, how we feel about campus or even the weather! Campus resources to strengthen our environmental wellness include resources within the Office of Student Living, Sustainability Management and more.
Financial
Financial wellness encourages us to learn and understand how to manage our unique financial situations. It involves setting realistic goals and establishing short- and long-term practices to meet monetary goals. Campus resources to strengthen financial wellness include the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarship Programs, Smart Money coaches and more!
Intellectual
Intellectual wellness explores new ideas and finding opportunities to expand our minds. This involves being open to new ideas and different perspectives and continuing to seek knowledge. Campus resources to strengthen our intellectual wellness include the Syracuse University Libraries, your academic advisors and more!
Physical
Physical wellness is about keeping our bodies healthy through nutrition, sleeping, exercise habits as well as being mindful of how we’re impacted by stress levels, alcohol and other substances. Many resources exist on-campus to strengthen our physical health, but the Barnes Center at The Arch is the place to start!
Social
Social wellness includes authentic friendships and connections that add value to your life and feeling like you belong in a community of mutual support. Ways to strengthen social wellness are all across campus, including the Office of Student Activities, group programs at the Barnes Center and more!
Spiritual
Spiritual Wellness is feeling meaning or a greater purpose in life and involves defining personal values and beliefs while recognizing how they impact our actions. While religion is a great example, there are many other forms of spiritual wellness. The go-to campus resource for spiritual wellness is Hendricks Chapel, a home for all faiths and a place for all people.
Ready to explore holistic health and wellness? Be sure to check out the Wellness Leadership Institute, hosted by the Barnes Center! Workshops are represented in all dimensions of wellness and available in-person and virtually.