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Wellness

Wellness and COVID-19

Wellness is more than following the health and safety guidelines recommended by the CDC and other health agencies. The Big Three: Nutrition, Sleep, and Physical Activity are more important than ever!

Wellness Tips While Social Distancing

  • Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories, including social media. Hearing about the pandemic repeatedly can be upsetting.
  • Get fresh air by going for a walk! The outdoors is NOT cancelled.
  • Take care of your body:
    • Take deep breaths, stretch, or meditate
    • Try to eat healthy, well-balanced meals,
    • exercise regularly,
    • get plenty of sleep,
    • avoid alcohol and drugs
  • Connect with others by calling, texting, or connecting on social media.
  • Play cards and boardgames, virtually or with your fellow "quarantiners" :-)
  • Dance! Really, this time, no one IS watching!
  • Talk with people you trust about your concerns and how you are feeling.

Feeling Overwhelmed?

If you, or someone you care about, are feeling overwhelmed with emotions like sadness, depression, or anxiety, or feel like you want to harm yourself or others, here are some resources:

  • Call Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA's) Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990
  • Text TalkWithUs to 66746. (TTY 1-800-846-8517)

Let's Stay Healthy

As we adjust to the new normal, you may be looking for at-home workouts. Here are some great FREE options!

  • LifeFitness: a variety of bodyweight  "Workouts of the Day" and stretching/relaxation sessions.
  • LesMills: 95 free workouts across 8 different categories.
  • Matrix: downloadable exercise short clips; provides information about proper form, positioning and purpose of each exercise.

And remember, being active is more important than ever. Exercise to stimulate your immune system, enhance your mood, give you a sense of accomplishment, decrease your stress levels, and keep you strong and fit. 

This can be a difficult time for all of us. But we can get through this together. Health advocates recommend the following for optimal mental and physical health.

  • Maintain a healthy diet and eat regularly (planned snacks are fine, but don't overdo it!)
  • Set up a schedule for yourself and aim to accomplish a couple of goals each day
  • Get enough sleep (it's tempting to fall asleep late in front of the TV, but try to maintain your regular sleep schedule)
  • Exercise!! This doesn't have to be hardcore; just be active:
    • stretch several times each day,
    • use  your own bodyweight or books/household objects for strength training
    • go for a walk or jog** using social distancing guidelines
      • **Please Note: "Illinois Shelter In Place Order" includes the ability to engage in outdoor activity including walking, hiking, running or biking and going to public parks and open outdoor recreation areas, except for playgrounds.
What is Wellness? 
 The National Wellness Institute states: Wellness is an active process through which people become aware of, and make choices toward, a more successful existence. We add that wellness is also a conscious, self-directed, and evolving process. 

Our Philosophy

The many dimensions of wellness include physical, intellectual, social. emotional, environmental, financial, and occupational. Our philosophy toward wellness is that taking care of your body is a means of taking care of other areas of your life so that you can be successful.

Additional Campus Resources