8 Dimensions of Wellness

UMaine Alert

Posted: April 19, 2024 - 1:32 PM

At approximately 9:24 a.m. on Friday, April 19, a University of Maine graduate student was struck by a university vehicle on Long Road at the University of Maine campus in Orono. The student reports that they are at a local hospital with minor injuries.

Emergency services, including the Orono Fire Department, University Volunteer Ambulance Corps, University of Maine Police Department, Orono Police Department and Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene.

The university vehicle involved in the incident was a Chevrolet Express van. It was being operated by a university employee.

Counseling services and support are available for students, faculty or staff who may have been affected. The Counseling Center can be reached at 207-581-1392 and the Dean of Students Office can be reached at 207-581-1406.

The scene has been cleared and Long Road is now accessible. An investigation is being conducted by the University of Maine Police Department with assistance from the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office Crash Reconstruction Unit. Any witnesses to the incident are encouraged to contact Lt. Noel Santiago at noel.santiago@maine.edu.

Physical

Physical wellness is about what you put into your body, and how much activity you get. These are important for keeping your body working properly. Good physical wellness can decrease stress and increase energy.

To promote good physical wellness on campus, you can visit the Rec Center or MaineBound, and schedule appointments at the Cutler Health Center when you’re sick. For physical wellness regarding the accessibility of campus, Student Accessibility Services is a great resource.

Social

Social wellness refers to the relationships we have and how we interact with others. Our relationships can offer support during difficult times. Social wellness involves building nurturing, and supportive relationships, and fostering genuine connections with those around you.

The Center for Student Involvement hosts events on campus that you can attend with friends or to meet new people. The Bodwell Center provides opportunities for volunteering. The Office for Diversity and Inclusion can connect you with others who have shared experiences, and hosts events that can teach you about the world around you, and the Title IX coordinator promotes healthy romantic/sexual relationships

Emotional

Emotional wellness refers to an awareness, understanding, and acceptance of your emotions, and your ability to manage effectively through challenges and change.

Mental health can take a hard hit at college, but the Counseling Center, the Mind Spa, the Student Wellness Resource Center, and Student Accessibility Services can help you create an environment here where your mental health can survive and improve.

Financial

Financial wellness is effectively managing your economic life. This includes budgeting, having emergency savings, making good financial decisions, and having a plan for the future.

Here on campus, the Financial Aid Office and UCU are great tools to aid in establishing good financial wellness.

Intellectual

Intellectual wellness means striving toward good mental health, continued intellectual growth, and creativity in life. This can include continued learning, practicing problem solving, improving verbal skills, keeping abreast of social and political issues, and reading books, magazines, and newspapers. These things are especially important in college.

The best resource on campus for your intellectual wellness are your advisors and professors, but taking leadership roles are a great way to improve intellectual wellness as well.

Spiritual

Spiritual wellness is being connected to something greater than yourself and having a set of values, principles, morals and beliefs that provide a sense of purpose and meaning to life, then using those principles to guide your actions. This doesn’t mean you have to be religious.

The best place to learn and practice spiritual wellness is the Wilson Center, the giant A-Frame building on campus. The Wilson Center is completely interfaith, and provides tools for people of any religion or lack thereof.

Occupational

Occupational wellness is the ability to achieve a balance between work and leisure in a way that promotes health, a sense of personal satisfaction and is (for most people) financially rewarding. College is the time to start finding this balance, before you enter the workforce.

Visit the Career Center for resume building, information for job opportunities/networking, and time management strategies in the workplace.

Environmental

Environmental wellness is having good health by occupying pleasant, stimulating environments that support well-being. It promotes interaction with nature and also creating an enjoyable personal environment.

Green Campus Initiative can teach you how to best interact with the environment around you, as well as conservation tactics and sustainable activities to keep the world around us healthy and beautiful.