Wellness is the intentional process of caring for our mental and physical well-being. At Northland College, we want to facilitate this journey by taking a holistic approach to connecting the mind, body, and spirit. Our programming incorporates the eight dimensions of wellness that encompass a healthy lifestyle. Balance and harmony of each dimension is an important part of the process.

Physical Wellness

Physical wellness incorporates health, fitness, nutrition, and care for the body. Physical wellness ensures that our bodies are functioning properly, which in turn, supports our mental well-being. Some examples include physical activity, eating healthy, relaxation, proper hydration, hygiene, and sleep.

Emotional Wellness

Emotional wellness includes the ability to manage emotions, identify feelings, and effectively communicate with others. Ways to strengthen our emotional wellness include seeking support from a friend or licensed professional, practicing gratitude, focusing on self-love, and strengthening our understanding of resilience.

Occupational Wellness

Occupational wellness encourages fulfillment of our career and workplace, while learning to manage the multiple responsibilities at home as well. We can improve our occupational wellness by setting goals, exploring our interests, understanding conflict resolution, and enrichment.

Spiritual Wellness

Spiritual wellness involves seeking purpose in one’s life. Most people seek the meaning of life through their understanding of spirituality or religion. We grow in spiritual wellness through meditation, prayer, spending time in nature, and personal growth.

Environmental Wellness

Environmental wellness encompasses an understanding of ecosystems and the connection of the biophysical environment. We practice environmental wellness by considering our individual impact, understanding the limits of Earth’s resources, respect for our surroundings, and safety.

Financial Wellness

Financial wellness is the process of becoming financially literate. We improve our financial wellness by learning budgeting skills, exploring ideas for responsibility and organization, studying loans and investments, and financial planning.

Intellectual Wellness

Intellectual wellness involves expanding our knowledge to encourage mental growth. We strengthen our intellectual wellness by making a commitment to lifelong learning, engaging in activities that stimulate creativity, and being open to learn new things and new ways of thinking.

Social Wellness

Social wellness encourages healthy relationships and connections with those around us. Our social wellness develops through understanding the importance of healthy relationships and boundaries, being involved within the community, fostering connections, making an effort to be supportive to our friends and family.

The Be Well program offers activities to facilitate your wellness journey by exploring the 8 dimensions of wellness: physical, emotional, occupational, spiritual, environmental, financial, intellectual, and social. Balance and harmony of each dimension is an important part of the process. Be Well events happen throughout the academic year.

Emotional

• Emotional Wellness Toolkit | National Institutes of Health (NIH)
• What Is Emotional Wellness? | HealthyPlace

Physical

• Recreation – MyNorthland
• Maintaining Mental and Physical Health in College | BestColleges

Social

• Social Wellness Toolkit | National Institutes of Health (NIH)
• Signs That You’re In a Healthy Relationship (verywellmind.com)

Environmental

• Sustainability – MyNorthland
• Environmental Protection | Wisconsin DNR

Occupational

• Career Services – MyNorthland

Spiritual

• 41 Spiritual Wellness Activities to Uplift Your Mind, Body & Spirit (outofstress.com)

Financial

• Financial Literacy Education and Paying for College – ED.gov Blog
• Finances – MyNorthland