Wellness. Balance. Meditation. Mindfulness. These are big buzzwords. Everyone is talking about how to feel better, but why does it matter? And why should you, a future lawyer, consider incorporating these tools into your life?
“In its purest form, wellness involves doing whatever you need to do to feel better and be healthier on a day-to-day basis. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to achieving a general sense of well-being and overall health, and anyone who claims otherwise is selling you something.”
Lawyer Mental Health and Wellness: Why It Matters (clio.com)
As this quote shares, wellness is whatever makes you feel better, day-to-day. And it is important to feel as good as you can so that you can really show up for yourself, your studies, and your (future) clients. When you feel good, your mind is clearer, you process information better, communication increases, and your overall sense of purpose and satisfaction rises.
Let’s explore different types of wellness and how you can incorporate those that align with you into your life.
Water: Our bodies absolutely need water to survive. And our bodies need to be properly hydrated to thrive. Consider evaluating your water intake and increasing it if it is not enough.
Movement: Our bodies need to move! Perhaps that is going for a walk or taking a HIIT class, make sure you move your body to keep it (and your mind!) strong and sharp. Consider visiting the ARC on campus Activities and Recreation Center (ARC) – Campus Recreation (illinois.edu) to explore different ways you can move.
Mental Health: Mental health is everything. When you feel better, you do better. Stress and anxiety can impact your ability to focus and work at your best level. There are many wonderful resources on campus such as counselors, group therapy, workshops, and more! Visit the UIUC Counseling Center website for information. Looking to attend a workshop? Explore the Outreach Series here.
Meditation: Meditation has been shown to provide wonderful benefits. Healthline states that meditation may reduce stress, control anxiety, promote emotional health, enhance self-awareness, improve sleep, enhance memory, and more. Consider getting started with daily mindfulness sessions on campus! Here’s a great meditation resource for Test Anxiety from Northwestern: Test Anxiety: Breathe – Northwestern University.
Financial Health: Learning how to manage your finances is very important to your overall wellness! According to the American Psychological Association, 72% of Americans are worried about money. Being stressed about money can lead to poor sleep, decreased mental health, and more. Learning how to work with your finances is going to pay dividends! Explore UIUC’s Financial Wellbeing program to learn how you can enhance your financial wellness!
At PLAS, we are committed to supporting your academic and professional growth and that means supporting your overall wellness, too. Visit our Canvas page for additional Wellness resources!
