Last fall we introduced the PCOW’s Wellness Wheel and the six dimensions of wellness: Occupational, Social, Mental, Physical, Financial, and Spiritual. Previous PCOW articles in the Eagle Eye explained the Physical and Social dimensions. Today we will introduce and explain another dimension: Mental.
Mental wellness combines the aspects of “emotional well-being and intellectual curiosity.” This wellness dimension includes “being attentive to one’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors,” whether they are “positive or negative.” It also includes “the ability to approach life optimistically and with resiliency despite life’s inevitable disappointments.” How do we approach our day or individual tasks, do we know why we are thinking a certain way? And more importantly do we know how to change those thoughts and emotions? Let’s start looking at our stumbling blocks as stepping stones in our lives! UMW faculty and staff have access to mental health services via the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and CommonHealth. More information about those services can be found at this link for UMW Work – Life Balance/Wellness.
How can we define Mental Wellness in our lives every day? One avenue is to look for “ways to expand one’s knowledge and skills.” Try a new hobby, mix it up with reading different genres, or in terms of intellectual curiosity take a class. UMW employees can audit UMW classes, or receive reimbursement benefits for UMW college courses after working at UMW for one year. For more information visit the HR website: Tuition Assistance.
“Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
