The recurring well-being days offer breaks from classes to focus on mental health and overall wellness, and the first one of the semester is next week on Monday, 9/21 with another one on 10/6.
For some, these days may add more stress – the typical rhythm of your routine is disrupted, you may fear that you’re missing out on fun activities, or you might just not know what to do with the extra time.
And some of us might (really!) look forward to the break.
Our suggestion? Use the extra time for YOU! Some ideas:
Reflect
Take some time to calm your mind, draw inward, and think deeply about your health and well-being. Be honest with yourself. Consider what feeds you, adds stress, pushes you past your comfort zone, gets you where you want to go, and connects you with positive relationships. You could meditate, journal, go for a reflective walk or run – whatever you do, be sure you take time to slow down and focus on your needs.
Self Care Ideas
- Sleep. Go to sleep a bit earlier and wake up when your body is ready.
- Eat. Use your extra time today to focus on eating yummy, nutrient-dense foods. Cook yourself (and your friends?) an amazing meal or gather people you adore at a favorite place to eat.
- Play. Spend time doing an activity that you love, ideally with people who make you happy.
- Relax. Read something for fun. Watch a show you enjoy. Snuggle under a blanket. Do something that lets your body and mind rest and recharge.
- Switch things up. Well-being days can be an opportunity to get away from campus. Explore a new trail, travel somewhere fun, make memories with your on-campus friends somewhere besides Carolina.
Set Up Your Environment for Success
How can you improve the environment of your space on the well-being day to better support your health for the rest of the semester?
- Bring in more sunlight. Move your workspace as close to the window as possible, strategically place mirrors, pull open curtains during the day.
- Remove clutter. Get rid of what no longer serves you and keep things that bring you joy. Start small – pick one drawer to clean out today.
- Incorporate your senses. Plants, art, photos of people or places you love, good smells, calming sounds – all of these can help you feel grounded, connected, and less stressed.
Help Someone Else
If you have the capacity for it, a well-being day is also a great time to support the people around you and strategize for broader impact.
- Support a friend. Do you know someone who has had a tough time recently? Reach out to them today to check in. Invite them to do something you both enjoy.
- Serve others. Choosing to help others also benefits the helper! Volunteering is an act of self-care and offers many benefits for your health including finding a sense of purpose and passion. And of course it also helps an organization or another individual! Seek out service opportunities on your well-being day if you can.
- Consider your communities. Use your influence for good in the spaces where you have some control. Consider how you can adjust your organization, workplace or classroom to better offer structure, infuse flexibility, create a safe atmosphere, allow time for self-care, and advocate for systemic shifts in well-being.
- Learn and advocate. Use some of your day learning to be a better mental health supporter and advocate. Visit the Heels Care Network and explore to better understand the mental health resources available and how you can help. Consider connecting with an organization or training to be a better advocate.
Explore New Places on Campus
There are lots of fun places on campus that could be a great way to do something different with your well-being days. Check out the options below (be sure to check changes to their hours for the well-being days):
- Campus Recreation. Go rock climbing at the gym, swim laps in the Bowman-Gray Memorial pool, take a fitness class – the possibilities are endless!
- Morehead Planetarium. Morehead offers tons of cool shows in their planetarium. Check out some of their showings about NC constellations or browse their museum.
- Ackland Art Museum. Ackland has a beautiful collection of art that is free for the public. Take some time to explore the museum and their current exhibits.
- Sports. Show support for the Heels and head out to a sports game during these well-being days!
- Music Concerts: Check out the events calendar for the UNC Department of Music – music is a great way to relax while showing support for the amazing talent here at UNC.
The well-being day is for you to help yourself meet your needs, and if you have the capacity, consider using the time to support the well-being of all community members.
What are you doing for the well-being day, Daniel?
We are in this together here at Carolina. Thank you for being a part of our community of care.