Dimensions of Wellness

Emotional Wellness involves self-love and acceptance, optimism, and learning to feel and manage your emotions. It involves taking care of your inner self and learning to function independently and inter-personally. 

Possible ways of engaging in emotional wellness:

• Practicing self-care
• Practicing self-compassion
• Building coping skills
• Practicing optimism
• Setting boundaries

Tips, resources, and opportunities to engage in emotional wellness:

• Do things that keep your self-esteem high - connect with people who love and support you, remind yourself of your strengths and accomplishments, and find opportunities to engage in activities where you feel successful  
• Seek to find balance in your life by making time for wellness activities as well as school and work responsibilities
• Connect with a VIU Wellness Peer
• Develop skills to manage stress and worries, and engage in mindfulness practice everyday (Mindshift is a great app)
• Participate in an Energy Care and Well Being workshop
• Engage in a VIU hosted creative hobby activity, like a ‘Learn to Paint’ night (often hosted by Thrive or Fun at VIU)
• Participate in a VIU Counselling Group or Workshop

Financial Wellness involves having awareness of our values towards, and our relationship with, money. Understanding your own unique financial situation, and learning to manage your finances effectively is all part of financial wellness.

Possible ways of engaging in financial wellness:

• Balancing your budget
• Spending wisely
• Effectively managing loans and credit
• Planning for short-term and long-term financial needs and goals
• Increasing financial knowledge/understanding to inform investing and management decisions

Tips, resources, and opportunities to engage in financial wellness:

• Attend a Financial Aid and Awards workshop or event
• Check out all the resources available to help you pay for school
• Create a VIU budget plan (see: sample budget plan)
• Try to limit unnecessary expenses and debt and live within your means
• Limit eating out and save money by cooking and preparing your own nutritious food
• Try to avoid credit card debt, use cash or a debit card to make purchases

Environmental Wellness involves taking action to contribute to a sustainable, safe, inclusive, thriving environment and community. It is the creation of a community that is accepting, responsible and supportive of both our planet and all its living creatures.

Possible ways of engaging in environmental wellness:

• Acting in environmentally conscious ways
• Respecting and connecting with nature
• Being open and inclusive with others
• Having awareness of your personal impact on others, the environment, your surroundings and your community

Tips, resources, and opportunities to engage in environmental wellness:

• Use sustainable transportation options (biking, public transit, ride shares, etc.)
• Reuse Reduce Recycle
• Join VIU’s Community Peace Garden Club (garden.club@viusu.ca)
• Participate in a VIU Outdoor Recreation event to foster connections in nature
• Volunteer on campus to contribute to a positive environment and culture
• Join RE*VIU to help with environmental sustainability efforts on campus
• Eat locally produced foods (VIU's Farmer's Market)
• Participate in one of VIU’s Sustainability Initiatives

Spiritual Wellness has different meanings for different people, but broadly it involves feeling connected to something larger than yourself. Spiritual wellness involves searching and connecting to a larger sense of meaning in your life, and finding connection between your mind, body and soul. 

Possible ways of engaging in spiritual wellness:

• Exploring and clarifying your own values
• Being open minded
• Respecting others and their unique beliefs
• Practicing connection with mind, body and soul
• Connecting with faith, or cultural communities or traditions

Tips, resources, and opportunities to engage in spiritual wellness:

• Engage in personal spiritual practices such as meditation or mindfulness
• Find moments of Awe in your life (UC Berkeley - The Science of Awe)
• Spend time with a VIU Elder
• Attend a VIU Philosophy Event
• Attend a religious or spiritual event
• Find peace through nature, or self-practices (Calm is a free app)

Academic and Career Wellness involves finding personal meaning and satisfaction through your studies and/or work. It involves being open to learning, challenging your mind, and clarifying your own priorities and values in order to engage in meaningful academic and occupational pursuits.

Possible ways of engaging in academic and career wellness:

• Developing and working towards academic and career goals
• Clarifying your values towards school and work and acting in ways that are consistent with these values
• Having a growth mindset
• Challenging yourself with new activities/learning
• Having an open mind
• Accessing supports to help you achieve your goals and find meaning in your work

Tips, resources, and opportunities to engage in academic/career wellness:

• Discuss your academic/career goals with an Educational Advisor
• Participate in Thriving in Action 
• Participate in a VIU Student Leadership Circle event
• Participate in a Peer Supported Learning session
• Attend a session or workshop at VIU’s Writing Centre
• Connect with the Centre for Experiential Learning team for information about Work Integrated Learning opportunities such as Internships and Co-Ops

Social and Cultural Wellness involves having healthy relationships with others and your community. It includes respecting diversity and supporting those around us through increased connection and acceptance.

Possible ways of engaging in social and cultural wellness include:

• Cultivating meaningful, healthy relationships
• Contributing to the well-being of your communities
• Respecting others
• Increasing your own knowledge and acceptance of those who are different from you

Tips, resources, and opportunities to engage in social and community wellness:

• Complete the Positive Space Alliance Orientation
• Participate in a VIU healthy relationships workshop (often hosted through Thrive) 
• Engage in campus life activities – such as the  Talk to Me program; or Fun@VIU activity; or a  Campus Recreation event
• Participate in Equity Diversity and Inclusion Events on campus
• Participate in a Na’tsa’ math Shqwaluwun Professional Development Event
• Attend a VIU Cultural Connections Event/Activity – to learn about a new culture

Caring for your Physical Wellness is about more than being free of sickness or disease. Caring for your physical well-being involves multiple factors that all contribute to a physically healthy, strong, resilient body and person.

Possible ways of engaging in physical wellness include:

• Engaging in physical activity
• Eating nutritious food
• Getting restorative sleep
• Having regular medical check-ups
• Practicing safe sex
• Limiting, and practicing safe substance use

Tips, resources, and opportunities to engage in physical wellness:

• Get active
  • No matter what your interests are or what your fitness/mobility level is, there are ways to get active and get moving.
  • Check out VIU Recreation for lots of great opportunities
• Eat healthy
  • Check out Canada's Food Guide for tips and recipes for healthy eating
  • Participate in VIU’s Culture Kitchen
• Sleep well
  • Guide to Sleep
• Safe sex practices
  • Attend a VIU sexual health workshop (often hosted through Thrive)
• Safe substance use
  • Tips for using substances safely during COVID-19