The Healthy Campus Task Force is a network of representatives dedicated towards educating the Towson University community on how to sustain life-long wellbeing.
Healthy Campus Initiative
Mission
Aligned with the objectives outlined in Healthy Campus 2020 and Towson University’s 2020 Vision, it is the mission of the Healthy Campus Taskforce to educate the campus community about current health issues so they are empowered to make choices that promote life-long wellbeing. The Task Force assesses the health status and health needs of the campus community and seeks to create a comprehensive, strategic framework that unites health issues under a single umbrella. The Healthy Campus Task Force is a network of representatives from a variety of populations from the Towson University community. The Task Force utilizes a multidisciplinary approach to guide and support program planning, interventions, and policy efforts targeted to prevent disease and promote and enable health-enhancing behaviors and activities, with the goal of creating a healthier campus environment.
What is Wellness?
Wellness is an active process of becoming aware of and making choices toward a healthy and fulfilling life. Wellness is more than being free from illness, it is a dynamic process of change and growth, pertaining to 8 specific dimensions. Prevention is key when it comes to your health and well-being. Implementing small changes in your behavior now will allow for huge changes in your quality of life!
8 Dimensions of Wellness
Social
Social Wellness means spending time with friends and family. It also means engaging in different activities that help you meet new people. Having a network for people you can rely on is an important aspect of social wellness.
Practicing Social Wellness Involves:
- Spending time with family, friends, and significant others.
- Cultivating deep friendships
- Communicating positively with people
- Appreciating and being a part of a diverse culture
- Spending time to build new relationships
- Appreciating your community and engaging in acts to help community members
Examples of steps to increase Social Wellness:
- Volunteer in your community
- Join different clubs and organizations on campus
- Make time to spend with friends and family
- Reach out to new people on your floor or in class
- Join an international organization
Key Social Wellness Resources on Campus
Emotional
Emotional Wellness means being in touch with your thoughts and feelings, and expressing those thoughts and feelings in a healthy and positive way.
Practicing Emotional Wellness involves:
- Effectively managing different types of emotions
- Accepting and expressing emotions
- Being open to change
- Respecting the emotional wellness of others
- Having confidence in independence, but also being confident in asking for assistance
Examples of steps to increase emotional wellness
- Spend time with friends and families who help you feel positive
- Understand your limits
- Reach out to a counselor for help if you are feeling stressed or anxious
- Partake in activities that make you feel confident
- Practice relaxation techniques, such as meditation
- Don’t keep feelings bottled up
- Be confident in denying new projects so that you do not become overwhelmed
Key emotional resources at TU
Intellectual
Intellectual Wellness means engaging in activities that increase knowledge and expand your insight into various domestic and global issues.
Practicing Intellectual Wellness includes:
- Creative and critical thinking
- Set academic goals
- Always remain curious and intuitive
- Be open-minded to new ideas and experiences
- Follow current events from reputable news sources
Steps to increase Intellectual Wellness:
- Learn a new word every day
- Join different clubs and organizations
- Participate in community service
- Read the news every morning
- Attend class regularly and participate in discussion
- Choose electives different from your major that are interesting to you
Key Intellectual Wellness resources on campus:
Spiritual
Spiritual Wellness means understanding the purpose of life and being confident in individual values and connection to something greater.
Practicing Spiritual Wellness involves:
- Staying true to individual values and beliefs
- Searching for purpose and meaning in life
- Feeling connected to others and the world
- Respecting and honoring other’s beliefs and values
- Seeking peace, gratitude, and patience.
Examples of steps to increase Spiritual Wellness:
- Practice spirituality
- Write down what you are thankful for each day
- Engage in meditation and individual reflection
- Make time for the important people in your life
- Take walks outside and appreciate the world
Key Spiritual Wellness Resources on Campus
Financial
Financial Wellness means practicing positive financial saving and spending behaviors. It also means being aware of your finances, and actively working towards financial stability.
Practicing Financial Wellness includes:
- Being responsible with your money
- Putting away a percentage of your paycheck into savings
- Aligning values with spending
- Thinking through financial decisions
- Minimizing debt
Steps to increase Financial Wellness:
- Create a budget of your monthly expenses
- Consistently put money into savings
- Make an appointment with a bank advisor
- Create a strategy to pay off debt
Key Financial Wellness resources on campus:
Physical
Physical Wellness means engaging in activities to keep your body healthy. Eating well and exercising regularly, seeking help for when you are sick or injured, as well as being aware of changes inside your body, are all a part of physical wellness.
Practicing Physical Wellness Includes:
- Engaging in regular physical activity
- Choosing nutritious food to eat
- Safe sex practices
- Practicing stress-reduction techniques
- Getting 7-9 hours of sleep every night
- Making appointments at the health center when you are feeling sick
Examples of steps to take to increase Physical Wellness:
- Pack healthy snacks for class
- Drink water throughout the day
- Make time to exercise, whether it be at the gym or in a Zumba class
- Go to bed at a consistent time
- Always use protection and communicate with your partner during sex
Key Physical Wellness resources on campus:
Occupational
Occupational Wellness means practicing safety at work, and focusing on a job and career that fulfills your goals and aspirations. Additionally, engaging in positive communication with co-workers and create a friendly work environment.
Practicing Occupational Wellness includes:
- Participate in both paid and unpaid enjoyable work
- Find happiness in your work
- Practice work safety
- Be open to new opportunities
- Take advantage of wellness work activities and programs
Examples of steps to take to increase Occupational Wellness:
- Make an appointment at the career center
- Take a skills assessment
- Take a work safety course
- Choose work projects that you feel passionate about
- Intern at an organization with a cause you feel strongly about
- Make a 3 year career plan
Key Occupational Wellness resources on campus:
Environmental
Environmental Wellness means practicing sustainability activities, such as recycling and choosing real foods. It also means being respectful of nature and participation in activities that help protect the environment.
Practicing Environmental Wellness includes:
- Having respect for the environment
- Engage in sustainability activities like recycling
- Doing daily activities that help protect the environment
- Enjoying time outside in nature and understand how it connects to your overall wellness
- Protecting yourself from hazardous materials
Steps to increase Environmental Wellness:
- Buy and use a reusable water bottle
- Cut down on the amount of paper products you use
- Recycle!
- Turn the lights off when you leave the room
- Spend time outside
- Purchase fresh food from local farmers markets
- Walk, bike, or carpool to class.
Key Environmental Wellness resources on campus: