You may have noticed that the Healthy Turtle has been talking a lot about the free events offered by the Center for Health and Wellbeing. I've realized though, that I haven't formally introduced CHWB to you all. It's about time the Center and our SPH family become familiar with each other, because we share an important mission.
The Center is a satellite office of the University Health Center and the Eppley Recreation Center. It offers a variety of free services and one-on-one counseling for students, faculty and staff that address stress management, exercise, sleep, weight and other facets of wellbeing. Those at the Center encourage us all to make changes that lead to healthier lifestyles.
The Healthy Turtle sat down with the Center's coordinator for wellness programs, Tracy Zeeger, who is also a School of Public Health alum. She received her BS and MPH from the School of Public Health in Community Health Education. She told me that health is way more than eating right and exercising. Can you believe there are actually six dimensions of wellbeing that the Center addresses? They are: physical, social, emotional, intellectual, spiritual, and balance. Read on about why health and wellbeing need to be addressed on multiple levels.
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Healthy Turtle: Which dimension of wellbeing seems to be the most neglected?
Tracy Zeeger: It varies from individual to individual. What I see the most of is folks neglecting the physical aspect (in terms of diet and exercise) and the mental/emotional dimension relating to stress management. Another area within the dimensions I see lacking is self-care. We all feel like we are too busy to take care of our own needs.
HT: And what do you recommend they do to keep up on all six dimensions of wellness?
TZ: We can all make time for health and wellness. Oftentimes we do not even realize we are working on these dimensions. For example, when you peruse the newspaper in print or online, you are contributing to your intellectual wellness. When you are making plans with your friends, you are enhancing social wellness. With wellness, balance is key. It is about recognizing when an area in your life is lacking, observing why that area might be lacking, and creating a plan to improve that area.
HT: How do we know if we are successfully balancing the six dimensions of wellness?
TZ: I recommend looking at the dimensions and think about what each means to you. Once that is recorded, you can then assess yourself in each dimension. You can also take the Wellness Assessment on our Web site. You can score yourself and read the statements to assist you in improving in that area.
HT: Why should we be interested in total wellness, as apposed to just being physically fit?
TZ: Having a good quality of life and good health takes more than just being physically fit. We need to seek balance in our lives and be more mindful when we are imbalanced. A person can be physically fit and unhealthy in one of the other dimensions of wellness, for example social wellness. We will feel like more accomplished individuals if we focus on the different dimensions.
HT: If I know I have to improve a dimension, how do I do it?
TZ: Everyone can improve in one way or another. If you notice an area of wellness that is lacking, set some small, achievable goals that will help you improve and leave you successful. The biggest mistake people make when trying to change a behavior is setting a goal that is too lofty.
HT: What are some stepping stone CHWB events you would recommend for those who aren't familiar with the organization?
TZ: Come to one of our workshops or sign up for a service. Most people start off having their diet analyzed and then branch out to different services from there. Another popular service is our relaxation training. This service teaches people the basics of deep breathing and guided imagery as well as offering individuals tailored stress management strategies. All our services are free and we welcome all students, faculty and staff.
HT: What's your favorite service that CHWB offers?
TZ: One of my favorite services is the Better Weigh weight management class. This class teaches people the healthy way to lose weight without having to diet. It is focused on the school of "Intuitive Eating" and truly is an approach that can provide a lifetime of weight management. The "Better Weigh" to Managing Your Weight for a Lifetime. There will be a session for it from noon to 1 pm tomorrow , March 3 at the University Health Center Sahet Conference Room, on the third floor.
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If you want to get in touch with CHWB, contact Tracy at(301) 314-1493 or zeeger@health.umd.edu. The Center is in room 0121 in the Eppley Recreation Center. Log on to the Center's Web site to find out about all the services it offers, take the wellness test, sign up for e-mail updates and more.
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