The Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion recently completed a Wellness Wednesday campaign.
Wellness Wednesdays consisted of three sessions which took place on March 3, 10 and 17, with each one being led by a wellness instructor. Dr. Talia Carroll, vice president for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, wrote in an email that while it is easy to dismiss needs for wellness, it is an issue that deserves to be front and center.
“I hope to see that our community members see or understand the importance of prioritizing their wellness in any form,” Carroll said. “As the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, we recognize that it is critical for us to be well and taking care of ourselves as best we can in these particularly challenging times.”
Now that the series has ended, Carroll said she is excited about sharing some of the recordings from the sessions with the community so they can enjoy them at their leisure. The sessions address more mindful practices including subjects such as how to breathe.
“It is my hope that people carve out a little bit of time for themselves,” Carroll said.
In response to the fatigue and burnout that typically comes with college life, Carroll said she experiences students seeking a desire to be engage fully in the collegiate experience, but sometimes that complete engagement can be unexpectedly tiring.
“Burnout is a result of prolonged stress, and I would never want to presume the amount of stress students collectively carry but would understand how it is experienced by students,” Carroll said.
She said she sympathizes with anyone who may be experiencing this feeling. She said she could see how trying to balance different aspects of life in college could sometimes become overwhelming.
“Students have the pressure of navigating a desire to do excellent work and show up as great humans, all while figuring out fatigue levels on a regular basis. It is all the more reason for all of us to really prioritize health when we can,” Carroll said.
In an effort to build up the campus community, Carroll said there are a few things students can do to promote wellness and accountability. She said it is important to focus on constructive goals to keep moving forward.
“Find a partner where you can remind each other to care for yourselves in intentional ways. Access campus resources, take a break when you can, stay hydrated, create boundaries for yourself, spend time outside soaking up a little sun and be OK with temporarily not adding things to your calendar,” Carroll said.
Emily Smith, sophomore nursing major, said if the school did these kinds of events regularly, then it could potentially help promote both physical and mental health on campus. She said OCU does well with providing mental health options, but she wishes that other aspects of physical health, like nutrition, were better emphasized.
“A lesson or series on nutrition could really help our student body to become more aware of what they put in their mouths,” Smith said. “I also really wish there were healthier options in the Caf.”
When considering what change she’d like to see in promoting the health of the campus community, she said communication is what feels most lacking between the university’s leaders and student body.
“I would love for there to be open line of communication with students about places to make suggestions and also to make sure that the students feel heard when it comes to health,” Smith said. “I hope we keep moving in that direction.”
Students can find resources about mental health on the university counseling website.
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