Pride Month is a beautiful time for celebration, self-exploration and connection. Last year, we introduced the 8 Dimensions of Wellness Initiative and offered ways of supporting our wellness efforts. This year, we wanted to highlight how these dimensions are interconnected and we use our voice and presence to help make the world a more inclusive place.
Environmental wellness is all about how you interact with your world. This can be on a micro-level, as in reflecting on where you spend most of your time and how those spaces make you feel, but it can also include larger aspects of our existence like how you interact with the planet and your community. If you’re not quite sure how to start advocating for yourself and others, we wanted to share a few things you can do to help support your environmental and social wellness after Pride month has ended.
Embrace Your Connection to Nature
Environmental + Spiritual Wellness
Maybe you’ve heard the saying, “We are all connected”, but when was the last time you felt it? Most people feel empower to speak up and affirm their right to being respected when they understand that everything is connected. Next time you take a walk outside, try and enjoy the beauty of nature with all your senses. Look around and pay attention to what you notice: what smells stand out, what sounds are you noticing, and how does everything makes you feel? As you become more connected to your surroundings, you become more mindful of the spirit that lies in everything too. That mindfulness (with practice) with show up in many areas of your life, and you may notice you start to feel one with the world.
2. Make a Dare To Care Commitment
Environmental + Emotional + Social Wellness
It’s important to notice not only how you experience the world, but also how others are experiencing the world as well. When you make the Dare to Care commitment, you are contributing to making Sheridan a safe community for all. There’s still a lot of work that needs to be done to protect the lives and rights of 2SLGBTQ+ members, but by taking a stance, we can start the process of being a better ally and advocating for those who need it. If you’re looking for ways to be a better ally for 2SLGBTQ+ identities be sure to check this article out.
3. Be Mindful of Pronouns
Social+ Emotional + Intellectual Wellness
On June 23rd, Corrin Marrier hosted a webinar to help Sheridan students understand the impact of pronouns for transgender, nonbinary, and gender-diverse people. If you want to advocate for 2SLGBTQ+ members, check out resources from the webinar on our Sheridan Pride page and learn how to use neo pronouns in conversation. Advocate for others through inclusive language and active participation.
4. Get Your Body and Mind Moving (at the same time)
Environmental+ Physical + Spiritual + Emotional
Going for a walk may seem simple at first, but that seemingly simple task checks off a lot of wellness boxes. As you walk, your body is moving, and although it may not be a high-intensity workout, it still supports your desire to be active. You can also use this time to self-reflect and ask yourself introspective questions like: How does being in nature make me feel? When am I most at ease? Walking surrounded by trees? Walks by the lake? Walks with my friends? Why do people need sunlight?
4. Reach out & Reconnect
Social + Emotional Wellness
Sometimes life gets busy and all you need to feel a bit better is to catch up with someone you haven’t talked to in a while. Whether you send a quick text, or spend hours on FaceTime, you’d be surprised how much reconnecting with old friends or family can impact your mindset and mood. Try it out! Think of someone you haven’t spoke to in a while and make a commitment to reach out this week.
5. Get Involved With The College
Social + Intellectual+ Occupational+ Emotional Wellness
There are plenty of ways to boost your social wellness and keep your advocacy efforts alive this summer. Sheridan College has two sessions that help enhance your leadership skills and meet people with similar interests! LeaderSHOP sessions: Find out how you can leverage your leadership skills and make an impact.Social Drop In Sessions: Join an engaging discussion about leadership while you eat your lunch!Our drop-in Lunch and Lead session are hosted by Sheridan staff and our Student Leadership Coaches.
Read more about the 8 Dimensions of Wellness initiative and learn more ways you can support your wellness below!
MORE WAYS TO SUPPORT YOUR WELLNESS
PREVIOUS EVENTS
SOCIAL WELLNESS: HOW TO REIMAGINE YOUR SUMMER BUCKET LIST
ENVIRONMENTAL WELLNESS: HOW TO GROW YOUR OWN FOOD
What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the words spiritual wellness? For some of you, it may be your connection to your religious faith, for others, spiritual wellness may mean your set of values and personal moral construct