Eat, sleep, move, and study well. Take care of yourself and find delight in your life.

Personal well-being practices improve quality of life by fostering positive emotions, satisfaction, and happiness: true self-actualization, building resilience, nurturing deep friendships, and learning to live fully. By being Purposefully Intentional, these practices encompass various aspects of life, including social relationships, physical health, and emotional well-being, all vital for a fulfilling life.

Engaging in personal well-being practices is closely linked to better health outcomes. Research has shown that individuals who prioritize their well-being experience lower levels of stress, anxiety, and depression, leading to improved physical health and overall well-being. See below for some ideas on how to maintain a baseline of health. Embracing personal well-being practices is crucial for those who aspire to lead fulfilling and healthy lives. These practices take a comprehensive approach to well-being, addressing life's physical, emotional, and social aspects. By prioritizing personal well-being, you can elevate your quality of life, boost your health and resilience, and nurture meaningful relationships.

*For Parent resources for supporting students, click here.

EAT Well / Stay Hydrated!

Get three balanced meals per day. It gets hot in Texas, so stay hydrated (3.7L for men and 2.7L for women per day)!

• Aramark Nutritional Services
  If you need special accommodations for your nutrition, contact Dining Services, and they'll be happy to help!

See Harvard's Healthy Eating Plate for some good ideas about how to balance a healthy diet.
*Over 90% of female students report restricting nourishment, and 57% of men report binge eating to some degree. If you are struggling with eating, here are some additional supports.

How can you make sure you are getting enough internal resources built up to move effectively through your day?

MOVE Well

Get 20 mins of physical activity daily, or at least get moving when possible.

UD Fitness Center
Get outdoors! Explore the nature around campus or in Irving Parks and Trails.

REST Well

Get 7-8 hrs. of uninterrupted sleep, and take time to rest. Try not to take extended naps.

STUDY (Work) Well

Take care of responsibilities first, then move on. *Otherwise tasks pile up and become unmanageably stressful!

Are there ways you can maximize your study time?

A great resource for study support is the Office of Academic Success.

ENJOY Well

Take delight in the world around you ...responsibly. Be responsible first, then enjoy, but make sure it is something that brings you delight and isn't something that ultimately adds to your stress.

PRAY Well

Whether Catholic, Protestant, Muslim, Hindi, or other, Campus Ministry is here to help you on your spiritual journey! The Church of the Incarnation is open to all students needing some time to pause, be reflective, and center themselves within their day.

PURPOSEFUL INTENTIONALITY: 
Start with WHY, be kind and PATIENT with yourself, then MOVE. 

Your purpose is your aspirations, hopes, dreams, and personal outlook for your future. Your purpose shapes all other areas of your life and guides all the steps you take to get to your future. With a clear understanding of your purpose, you gain the confidence to make tough decisions and the resilience to overcome obstacles. Your purpose leads you to a deep and rewarding life. Understanding your purpose is essential to making helpful steps today to get you to tomorrow. If you aren’t sure what your ultimate purpose is in life, that’s okay too… that means it’s the time to discover this purpose! Take the time afforded you in classes and community to step towards your more profound purpose.

Try to  start simple first, what is a simple thing you can do, today? Start there, get the ball rolling, and let momentum pick up the pace for you as you go. 

**Life isn’t always this easy. If you need additional support or help, move to Step 2 or contact us for further assistance. 

ACHIEVABLE GOAL

What is one small thing you can accomplish in Step 1: Personal Wellness?
(Eat, Move, Rest, Study, Enjoy, Be Well-Intentioned)

E.g., Eat - Have three square meals for four days this week. (or) Rest: Get seven to eight hours of sleep four days this week. (or) Study: Set a calendar schedule of assignments due and when you need to start working on them. (etc.) *Only pick one to start, then expand as you go. Momentum is key here.

SELF-AWARENESS

You are more than the sum of your successes or failures. Glean insight into what is easy or difficult in achieving the goal above. Think of it as feedback rather than a success or failure. What will you learn about yourself after this week?