Incorporating exercise is a great way to reduce stress, find community, and give students a moment to check their mental health. make.
Alexis Steptoe is Assistant Director of ThriveWell at WellRec, finding ways to improve the well-being of campus communities through strategic planning and creative programming.
“Take care of yourself in a way that brings you joy,” Steptoe said. [At WellRec,] I just want it to be as simple as possible. ”
Steptoe said exercise is a key pillar of stress management and overall health.
“There’s a lot of research out there showing that exercise is an integral part of a healthy lifestyle,” Steptoe said. We carry it with us. The move provides an out.
Lulu Black, a senior in sports management and nonprofit studies, is a student-athlete. She is also part of her ThriveWell team and serves as her assistant at Wellness providing educational resources to students.
“Movement has served as an outlet for me for as long as I can remember,” Black said. “It helped me combat some of the toughest challenges I faced, especially in college.”
WellRec creates exercise opportunities for students, from private fitness studios to fitness classes and wellness coaches that help students overcome challenges through exercise. Black wants students to know more about resources like wellness coaching.
“Wellness coaching provided by ThriveWell is a great resource that students at our university often overlook,” said Black. “The great thing about this resource is that wellness coaches can help students with anything they need guidance on: physical health, mental health, financial health, making new friendships, setting career goals, and more. Each student at the university will have access to four free wellness coaching sessions each semester.”
Not everyone attends sweat sessions at WellRec, but that’s okay, says Steptoe. There are many ways to reap the benefits of physical activity without a hardcore workout.
“We can keep moving all day long,” says Steptoe. “Whether you’re an outdoorsy person who likes to stroll down greenways or do tai chi on the lawn, whatever method helps you achieve that balance. In a way that brings you joy.” Movement allows the body to breathe and clears the cobwebs of the mind.”
Black said it’s important to find new ways to incorporate movement for fun.
“I think it’s important to find other ways of moving that you like,” Black said. “This helps prevent burnout, connects with different people across campus, and allows you to try new things and develop new hobbies.”
Steptoe said it takes hard work to truly understand the importance of prioritizing your well-being.
“These are the same things we’ve been talking about for years,” says Steptoe. “I think it’s a great time to be firm on the fact that we’re amplifying these messages and defending these things. [that make us feel good]”
Exercise and physical activity are great ways to deal with stress and can be an important part of your overall strategy for mental health. Welleck For more information, please visit our website.
