With the hecticness of summer, vacationing, working, and other tasks that seem to consume our everyday life; it can be easy to lose yourself and wellness along the way. As we approach mid summer, it is important to focus on personal wellness. Personal wellness does not mean simply eating healthy or working out; it refers to creating a lifestyle that will allow for growth in all aspects of your well being. While eating clean and partaking in physical activity daily can certainly improve your physical well being, it is critical to delve into what aspects of your life truly allow you to flourish.
Less is more
Enhancing personal wellness can at times seem overwhelming. With social media trends constantly feeding us FAD diets to try, “instant-result” workouts, “must-do” routines, and “essential” supplements to take, it can be difficult to find what works for you. These fast paced trends can actually prove counterproductive, encouraging us to buy into these quickly emerging and dying eating hacks, routines, etc. It is critical to reel it in and find a routine that allows for consistency.
Oftentimes I find myself cramming too much into my routine. I want to go on a run, go to the gym, spend time outside, read, reach protein goals, journal, all the while working two jobs. These routines are unrealistic and only counterproductive, creating more things to check off my list. Bettering yourself should not feel like a chore, but rather a reset that is both motivating and compatible with your daily life. The most important aspect of a routine is consistency. These habits and goals we set for ourselves are only effective if carried out on a daily or at least regular basis. While it is great to be ambitious in routine making, it’s also key to be realistic.
Health through habits
Enhancing personal wellness can be as simple as creating a morning and evening routine. Setting healthy habits just as making your bed or drinking water first thing in the morning can actually allow for a more productive day. Likewise, falling into a habit of reading, spending time outside, or getting off your phone before going to bed can allow for a more restful night. What seem like little habits and cycles we create for ourselves are actually critical to our well being. Challenge yourself to commit to just one healthier habit this week and see how even the simplest shift will give you a sense of accomplishment and motivation.
Personal wellness is vague, encompassing a different meaning and shape for everyone. It is important to not compare ourselves to others routines, lifestyles, and wellness outlets. Personal wellness is just that: personal. For some people, wellness looks like meditation, spending time alone,l or enjoying a peaceful walk. For others, wellness involves being surrounded by people, spending time with friends, or incorporating strenuous movements into their routine. Be patient with yourself in finding and creating your own healthy outlets that match with your routine.
Reflect and recharge
Campus Rec refers to the concept of personal wellness as an individual’s physical health, yet at the same time, mental, and emotional health. Our Wellness Wheel delves into the differing types of wellnesses and what each of them embody. Explore the differing types of wellnesses through this link. It can be easy to set a routine that enhances physical well being, centering our days around movement and exercise. Yet, an essential component to personal wellness is emotional well being. Personal wellness is not as simple as finding outlets that will instantly allow for a balanced and healthy lifestyle, it is truly a journey.
When planning out my weeks, I can become consumed in going to the gym, running a set amount of miles, and completing workouts for the sake of my physical health. Something I struggle with is carving out time to allow for betterment of my emotional well being. Personally, I find journaling and spending time with friends and family incredibly helpful. However, to allow for these wellness routes, I have to reflect on my life and find what I can cut out. I am working on getting off my phone and social media to allow myself to make time for my wellness and truly recharge. While this is difficult for me, spending less time on my phone daily has allowed me more opportunities to accomplish activities that motivate me. Personal wellness takes time, growth, and consistency.
Fall semester prep
Emotional well being looks different for everyone. Understanding how you recharge and are fulfilled is another component that is essential to your wellness journey. Look into what areas of your life boost your mood or encourage you most. Oftentimes physical activities can prove to better both emotional and physical well being, acting as a mood booster and providing alone time to reset. Plan some new activities to see how your body reacts and recharges.
As we prepare for the upcoming semester, it is important to set these goals, routines, and wellness habits to motivate us throughout the semester. I have gotten back into reading this summer. With a full course load in the fall, I am excited to have this outlet of taking a reading break when my workload becomes too consuming. Finding outlets like this allows for motivation and encouragement for the upcoming semester. As we steadily move into the fall semester, take the rest of the summer to prioritize finding what fuels your energy and resets your mind. With this, you can be sure to start off the fall semester strong with a balanced lifestyle and healthy mindset. Be well Rams!
By Erin Mullaney
Major: Political Science
Graduating May 2026