Promoting student wellness should be an important part of university life. It can be an exciting and transformative period for students, but it can also bring about unique challenges that impact students’ overall emotional and physical well-being. There are numerous factors that can disrupt student wellness, which can hinder their ability to focus, engage with peers, maintain confidence, and attend classes, ultimately resulting in lower grades.
To ensure students thrive academically and personally, universities must prioritize the promotion of students’ emotional and physical wellness.
Thankfully, there are several ways in which you can help promote student wellness at your universities, setting them up for greater success. Many incredible individuals, such as those at the student unions, are already doing a lot to assist students by offering support, safe spaces for discussions, and advice. They even provide access to gyms for physical recreation, which is a fantastic way to boost wellness. But what about the students who find even getting started with exercise overwhelming? How can we support them?
What Is Student Wellness
Wellness is a term we hear a lot these days, especially in the fitness industry. We hear things like, “How can we improve the wellness journey of our members?” or “How can we enhance the member wellness experience?” But do we truly grasp what wellness really means?
According to the Oxford dictionary, wellness is “the state of being in good health, especially as an actively pursued goal.” But what exactly does “good health” entail? Well, it encompasses physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being. And when we talk about student wellbeing, it certainly encompasses these aspects.
Wellness has several dimensions, including emotional well-being (coping effectively with life and creating satisfying relationships) and physical well-being (recognizing the need for physical activity, healthy foods, and sleep).
In this article, we will explore various activities and programs that can empower students to cope effectively with life’s demands, build satisfying relationships, recognize the importance of physical activity, make healthy dietary choices, and prioritize adequate sleep.
Cultivating Emotional Well-being
Emotional well-being is crucial for students to cope with the pressures and demands of university life. Universities can implement the following activities and programs to support students in this aspect.
1. Counseling and Mental Health Services: Establishing comprehensive counseling services provides students with access to professional guidance, therapy, and resources to manage stress, anxiety, and other mental health concerns effectively.
2. Peer Support Programs: Encouraging peer-to-peer support programs, such as mentorship initiatives and support groups, allows students to connect with and receive support from their peers who may have faced similar challenges.
3. Mindfulness and Meditation: Offering mindfulness and meditation content through virtual and a digital mobile app can help students develop skills to manage stress, enhance self-awareness, and improve concentration.
4. Wellness Workshops and Seminars: Conducting workshops and seminars on topics like stress management, resilience, time management, and emotional intelligence equip students with practical tools for navigating university life successfully.
Nurturing Physical Well-beingÂ
Physical well-being is closely linked to overall wellness. To support students in prioritizing their physical health, universities can implement activities and programs.
1. Fitness Offerings: In addition to providing well-equipped fitness centers, sports facilities, and recreational activities, it is important to offer fitness options anytime and anywhere students want to practice fitness. The availability of a wide variety of fitness alternatives encourages students to engage in regular physical exercise, improving cardiovascular health, reducing stress, and boosting mood. Make sure you include virtual fitness options, mobile apps, and other digital options in your fitness mix.
2. Healthy Eating Initiatives: Offering nutritious food options in campus dining facilities, educating students about balanced diets, and promoting healthy eating habits can positively affect their physical health and overall well-being.
3. Sleep Awareness: Raising awareness of the importance of adequate sleep through workshops, campaigns, and educational materials helps students understand the benefits of good sleep hygiene and develop healthy sleep patterns. Comprehensive sleep and meditation options should be available to students 24/7 via virtual content or a mobile app.
4. Wellness Challenges and Competitions: Organizing wellness challenges can encourage students to prioritize physical health while fostering a sense of fun, camaraderie, and healthy competition.
Fostering Satisfying Relationships
Building and maintaining healthy relationships is essential for students’ emotional well-being. Universities can promote satisfying relationships through social clubs, extracurricular activities, physical fitness programs, community engagement, and inclusion programs.
This will provide opportunities for them to connect with like-minded peers, fostering a sense of belonging and support. They help students develop empathy, social skills, and meaningful connections with others. Inclusion programs create a welcoming and inclusive campus environment for students from various backgrounds, helping to foster a sense of belonging.
How Wexer Helps Promote Student Wellness
Wexer makes it easy to provide physical fitness, mindfulness, and meditation sessions accessible 24/7. Students can access the extensive collection of Wexer fitness and wellness content anytime and anywhere. The Wexer WebPlayer is a white-labeled, web-based product that allows your members to stream exercise classes and content to any internet-enabled device, 24/. It allows students to access content in the comfort of their own rooms or in a safe space on campus. You can create designated areas where students can virtually engage in fitness and wellness practices. This way students can be around others who may share similar feelings, while helping to foster personal connections.
Offering a wide range of student wellness activities, from high-intensity sports to yoga, pilates, or even simple breathing classes, can allow students to regroup and equip them with valuable tools for their emotional and physical wellness journey.
Universities can also access and gather data on the content being streamed. Then they can tailor class collections and live streams to cater to the specific demands of the students. Moreover, you can even upload content to promote the wellness programs offered at your university, creating a sense of community.Â
Supporting student wellness is vital to their overall success. By providing accessible mindfulness and exercise options, such as through digital platforms like Wexer, you can empower your students and help them navigate their wellness journeys more effectively.
Together, we can create a thriving community that prioritises student wellbeing. With the Wexer WebPlayer you can own your own on-demand content allowing students to stream wellness classes and content to any internet-enabled device, 24/7.
If you would like to find out more about how we can help you, click the link below to contact Laura or reach out to her on LinkedIn.Â
