i. Navigating Health and Wellness
Photo by University of New Orleans
This module explores the many ways your health and well-being may be impacted by the choices you make. The goal of this material is to help you do the following:
- Understand the 8 dimensions of wellness
- Identify ways to maintain and enhance your emotional health.
- Describe actions you can take to improve your physical health.
As a first-year college student you will make many choices without parental oversight, including the way you take care of your body and mind. Some choices put you on a path to health, and other choices can lead you down a path toward illness. There is a strong connection between success in college and your ability to stay healthy.
Health is more than a strong body that doesn’t get sick. Health also includes your overall sense of well-being (mental and emotional, for example) and healthy coping strategies to manage life stressors. Good health is about making positive choices in all of these areas and avoiding destructive choices. It’s about learning to be smart, to set boundaries, to watch out for your safety, and to take care of the one body that will carry you through life. While health and wellness are often interchanged, it is important to differentiate the two concepts. Health is a state of physical, mental, and social well-being, while wellness is a process through which people become aware of and make choices toward a healthy and fulfilling life.
The Dimensions of Wellness: Building a Balanced College Life
College isn’t just about lectures, textbooks, and exams—it’s about becoming the best version of yourself. That means caring for your whole self, not just your GPA. Wellness is more than being free from illness; it’s an active process of making choices toward a healthy and fulfilling life.
There are eight dimensions of wellness, and each one plays a role in how you show up as a student, friend, professional, and community member. When one area is neglected, it can impact others. But when you nurture each area—even in small ways—you build resilience and balance.
Let’s walk through each dimension, with examples of how you can support your wellness right here on campus.
Dimensions of Wellness and Campus Resources
| Dimension | What It Means | Campus Resource(s) |
| Emotional | Coping effectively with life’s challenges; building satisfying relationships. | Counseling Services, Peer Support Groups, Wellness Workshops |
| Physical | Taking care of your body through movement, nutrition, sleep, and health checkups. | Rec Center, Student Health Services, Intramural Sports, Campus Dining, Privateer Pantry |
| Social | Developing a sense of connection and belonging. | Student Involvement and Leadership, Student Organizations, Greek Life, Campus Events, and more! |
| Intellectual Wellness | Engaging in creative and mentally stimulating activities. | Honors Program, Library Events, Academic Clubs, Experiential Learning |
| Spiritual | Exploring values, purpose, and meaning. | Interfaith Prayer and Meditation Room, Newman Center, Spiritual and Religious Organizations |
| Occupational | Finding personal fulfillment in academic or career pursuits. | Career Services, Advising |
| Financial | Managing money wisely and planning for future needs. | UNO Credit Union, Financial Aid Office |
| Environmental | Living in harmony with your surroundings | Sustainability Circle |
Table 8.1 – This table outlines eight dimensions of wellness and connects each to campus resources available at the University of New Orleans.
