By: Elana Sadok
As a woman in a business major in college, you likely have a lot on your plate. Between classes, assignments, internships, and job interviews, it can be easy to neglect your own well-being. However, taking care of yourself is essential to your success both in school and in your future career. One tool that can help you prioritize your well-being is the wellness wheel.
The wellness wheel is a model that measures your overall well-being across different dimensions. By taking a holistic approach to well-being, the wellness wheel can help you identify areas that may need more attention and develop a plan to improve your overall quality of life. Let's explore how the wellness wheel can apply to your life as a woman in a business major.
Physical Wellness
Physical wellness is the first dimension of the wellness wheel. As a college student, you may find it difficult to maintain a healthy lifestyle, but it's important to prioritize your physical well-being. This means getting enough sleep, eating a balanced diet, and exercising regularly. The Rec Center has really fun spin and yoga classes that I enjoy attending. Consider signing up for a workout class with a friend to help you stay accountable. On the nutrition side, intuitive eating and consuming foods that make you feel good are a critical component of your physical wellness.
Emotional Wellness
The emotional dimension of the wellness wheel includes managing stress, developing self-awareness, and practicing self-care. As a business major, you may face high-pressure situations and deadlines that can lead to stress and anxiety. It's important to take care of your mental health by practicing mindfulness and self-care activities such as journaling or meditation. My favorite way to wind down is by using the Insight Timer app, playing a short guided meditation while holding my smoky quartz crystal and sitting by a window to soak in the natural light.
Intellectual Wellness
The intellectual dimension of the wellness wheel focuses on personal development and lifelong learning. As a business major, you're already on the path to intellectual wellness by pursuing a college degree. However, it's important to continue learning and growing outside of the classroom. Consider attending industry conferences or networking events to expand your knowledge and build connections. The Women of Isenberg Conference is a great opportunity to enhance your intellectual wellness! Some of my favorite activities to practice critical thinking include reading (I am reading If Women Rose Rooted right now and it is so good!) and doing puzzles like the Wordle.
Social Wellness
The social dimension of the wellness wheel includes building and maintaining healthy relationships, communication skills, and a sense of community. As a college student, you have access to a wide variety of social opportunities such as clubs and organizations, networking events, and social media. It is amazing that you are already part of WiB where you can find like-minded individuals and build your network. Finding community through different parts of your life, like class or sports, continues to cultivate that sense of belonging beyond your inner circle.
Occupational Wellness
The occupational dimension of the wellness wheel focuses on job satisfaction, work-life balance, and career development. As a business major, you're likely already thinking about your future career. It's important to set goals and create a plan to achieve them, but don't forget to take care of yourself along the way. Consider taking breaks and practicing self-care to prevent burnout.
Spiritual Wellness
The spiritual dimension of the wellness wheel includes mindfulness, purpose, and connection to something greater than oneself. While spirituality can be a personal and private matter, it's important to consider your values and beliefs as they relate to your overall well-being. Consider exploring meditation, yoga, or other spiritual practices to help you find balance and inner peace. My favorite way to connect with the greater purpose is by practicing yoga and focusing on my breath. Likewise, I listen to my intuition when it is telling me whether I find purpose and connection in a particular activity. If it doesn’t then I remove it from my life. As I move through life, what keeps me going in my day-to-day, is my mindfulness and connection to the greater purpose beyond the menial tasks at hand, like submitting a homework assignment or listening in class.
Environmental Wellness
The environmental dimension of the wellness wheel includes sustainability, access to clean air and water, and living in a safe and supportive community. While you may not have control over all aspects of your environment, there are things you can do to promote environmental wellness. Consider reducing waste and supporting sustainable practices both on and off campus. Continuing to learn about how you can be a more conscious consumer can enhance your environmental wellness. I try to incorporate as many plant-based foods in my diet as possible as well as cut back on shopping for new things. My default is looking within my community first for things I may want or need, then thrift stores, and then finding it elsewhere. A helpful way for me to cut back on consumption is to reduce my wants for material items and find purpose within my spirituality instead.
Financial Wellness
The financial dimension of the wellness wheel includes creating a budget, managing your debt, starting to invest, building an emergency fund, negotiating your salary and educating yourself. By tracking your income and expenses, you find solace in knowing where your money is going and what kind of spender you are. Knowing your options and creating a plan for repayment is critical to managing your student debt. Consider starting your emergency fund now so that you have something to fall back on if you have to go to the hospital or your car or laptop breaks down. Continue to educate yourself on financial literacy and checking in with your goals each month to ensure your progress. Luckily, Smart About Money will be giving a tremendous presentation on financial literacy on Monday (2/27)!
In conclusion, the wellness wheel is a useful tool for anyone looking to prioritize their well-being. As a woman in a business major in college, it's especially important to take care of yourself as you navigate your education and future career. By considering each dimension of the wellness wheel and taking steps to improve your overall well-being, you can set yourself up for success both in college and beyond.