Dimensions of Wellness

Wellness means overall well-being. It is an ongoing process and a life-long journey, not a one-time event. The Spirit of STAC Action Team and The Office of Health and Wellness, along with many other campus offices, encourages and supports STAC students in taking action on all eight interconnected dimensions of wellness in order to build everyday habits, which improve quality of life. It may also help individuals live longer, manage current health conditions, and support recovery from illness, injury, and addiction.

Wellness is defined as an active and ongoing process that allows individuals and the broader community to reach their full potential.

Individual wellness involves being happy and satisfied with life, having basic needs met, and contributing to the communities in which we live.
Community wellness involves creating and sustaining an environment that is equitable and just for all.

Foundational to wellness are the pillars of Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. In order to promote wellness, one must understand that not all persons have equal access and opportunity due to systemic and structural barriers. In addition, it is critical that an individual and organization understand and interact effectively with people who have different values, lifestyles, and traditions based on their distinctive heritage, social relationships and identity.

Physical Wellness

Definition

Physical wellness consists of recognizing the need for physical activity, healthy foods, and sleep, as well as preventing illness and injury or managing chronic health conditions.

How can I become physically well on campus:

Incorporate regular physical movement into your daily routine (i.e. walk or ride your bike to class; take the longer route). Use our Joyful Movement Journal to start or mix up your routine
Understand how and why your body works
Focus primarily on how exercise makes you feel, especially the stress-relieving and energizing factors.
Develop well-balanced eating habits
Feel comfortable with your physical appearance
Take charge of your sexual health by using protection (condoms and dental dams); having open communication with your partner(s); getting tested for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and getting routine physical exams.
Safer sex is for EVERYONE! Practicing safer sex can provide you with comfort and confidence to explore and fulfill your sexual desires with less anxiety and worry
Become a responsible drinker or a non-drinker
Become aware of how a lack of sleep, stress, and inactivity affect your body
Engage in regular movement to improve flexibility, strength, aerobic, and cardiovascular health
Develop and cultivate leisure activities
Seek medical care when needed for illness, injury, and preventative care

Resources
Kraus Fitness Center
The Office of Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS)
Intramurals & Club Sports
Bike Share Program
Joseph B Clarke Rail Trail, 4 mile paved trail next to campus.
Tallman State Park
Rockland Lake State park
Health and Wellness Programming

Emotional Wellness

Definition

Emotional wellness is defined as coping effectively with life and creating satisfying relationships.

How can I become emotionally well on campus:

Become more aware of your feelings and accept them as valid indicators of what you are experiencing
Experiment with using healthy coping skills to manage stress that work for you. Try replacing problematic/unhealthy coping mechanisms (i.e. alcohol/drug use, binge watching Netflix, complaining, excessive social media/phone use) with healthy coping skills.
Take time for you! Be sure to set aside some time to partake in activities that help you relax and relieve stress. Whether it’s exercising at the RSAC, meditating, or writing in a journal, treat yourself to self-care!
Develop the ability to experience and appropriately express a wide range of emotions such as humor, joy, fear, anger, frustration, appreciation, sadness, etc.
Develop assertiveness and confrontation skills
Develop positive feelings about yourself by instituting healthy self-esteem and self-concept
Develop the skills to handle stress, irritations, crises, etc.
Explore and clarify your own sexual identity
Develop, establish, and maintain intimate and loving relationships

Resources
The Office of Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS)
Center for Safety & Change
Art Therapy Club
GSA Club
Mental Health Club
SGA

Social Wellness

Definition

Social wellness is defined as developing a sense of connection, belonging, and a well-developed support system.

How can I become socially well on campus:

Develop the ability to create and maintain close friendships
Feel comfortable interacting with diverse individuals and groups
Become aware of your responsibilities for the welfare of different communities
Understand and accept those with a different sexual orientation, gender identity, race, ethnicity, religion, socioeconomic status, life experience, etc.
Understand the concepts of sex and gender role stereotyping and explore appropriate sex and gender role behavior for yourself
Develop a “global consciousness” by recognizing the interrelatedness of cultural, global, and national issues and needs
Work toward becoming a responsible world citizen

Resources
The Office of Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS)
Social Justice & Equity Forum
Justice Studies Institute
N.E.R.D Club
All student clubs and organizations
Intramurals and club sports
Kraus Fitness Center
Disney College Program
Piermont Farmers Market-open Sundays
Dr. Davies Apple Picking and Red Barn Cidery

Intellectual Wellness

Definition

Intellectual wellness is defined as recognizing one’s creative abilities and finding ways to expand knowledge and skills through personal exploration or through academic course work.

How can I become intellectually well on campus:

Strive to be open to new experiences and ideas in all areas of your life
Expand your ability to create, develop, analyze, critique, concentrate, understand, evaluate, problem solve, predict, comprehend, etc.
Feel competent in intellectual and academic activities by improving your skills in academics, studying, time management, stress management, note taking, listening, and public speaking
Develop a love for learning and philosophy for “life-long learning”

Resources
The Office of Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS)
Student Success Center
Tutoring Center
Faculty instructors and academic advisors
HEOP and friends
Career Center and Internships
Work Study programs
Student clubs and organizations
Ignite
Study Abroad programs
Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory

Environmental Wellness

Definition

Environmental wellness is defined as occupying pleasant, stimulating environments that support well-being.

How can I become Environmentally well on campus:

Become aware of how your external environment affects you
Redesign your environments to more effectively support and reinforce your needs
Be concerned about the future of the local, national, and world ecology and climate
Minimize your contribution to the destruction of the outdoor environment

Resources

Earth Day Event
Keep Rockland Beautiful
STAC STEM Club
Environmental Studies
Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory – Piermont Pier water research

Spiritual Wellness

Definition

Spiritual wellness is defined as expanding a sense of purpose and meaning in life, including one’s morals and ethics. It may or may not involve religious activities.

How can I become Spiritually well on campus:

Explore your personal values
Question and clarify your values
Become aware of how values develop and change from life experiences
Become aware of the differences in others’ values
Search for meaning in your own life
Develop integrity by acting in ways that are consistent with your values

Explore the issues related to mortality and your own life and death

Resources

The Office of Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS)
Ambassadors for Christ Club
Spartans in Service
Student Clubs and Organizations
Social Justice & Equity
Chapel- Located in the Library
Rev. Brandon McLauchlin
Barbara DeLalla-Keegan
Office of Student Engagement
Dominican Sisters of Sparkill
Rockland Center for Spiritual Living
Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church
Jamie Surya Yoga Studio

Vocational Wellness

Definition

Vocational wellness is defined as gaining personal satisfaction and enrichment from one’s work, whether that be academic work while in college or a job after graduation.

How can I become vocationally well on campus:

Increase your awareness of the wide variety of major/career opportunities available to you
Challenge societal sex role and other barriers that limit major/career choices
Explore your interests, skills, values, and needs and how they relate to major/career choice
Choose a major/career direction that reflects your values, preferences, interests, and skills
Understand the relationship between your major/career choice and other parts of your life such as with your family, spouse/partner, leisure activities, friends
Develop effective job-related skills in assertiveness, confrontation, feedback, time management, active listening, motivation, etc.
Understand how many people change their major in college and their career directions many times throughout their lives

Resources
Career Services Center
Alumni Engagement Office
Student Clubs & Organizations ( Business Club, Sports Management Club, Investment Club, STEM Club, Art Therapy, etc.)
Library
Student Government Association
Student Employment Opportunities
Student Success Office, Faculty Advisors
STAC Chats & SYF Events
Work Study Program
People to People
Meals on Wheels
Keep Rockland Beautiful

Financial Wellness

Definition

Financial wellness is defined as satisfaction with current and future financial situations.

How can I become financially well on campus:

Learning how to gain control of your finances so they work for you
Understanding how to manage a budget, credit cards, checking and savings accounts, investments, retirement funds, etc.
Handling finances without too much stress
Setting and making progress toward your short- and long-term goals
Not spending too much time and effort handling your finances
Know the resources available to you on campus to help if you are experiencing a financial issue such as food insecurity, homelessness, economic crisis, or financial management

Resources
STAC Cares Closet!
Henry-Kearns Fund
CAPS
Health & Wellness Programming
Student Organizations (Investment Club, Business Club, etc.)
Student Employment
Student Internships
Disney College Program
Tutoring Center