Health and Balance: Maintaining Well-being during the School Year 

photo credit: UVU Review Graphic Design Team

Stress and burnout are serious issues facing both returning college students and freshmen. As Autumn falls in Utah Valley, it is important that students are prepared both mentally and physically to face the challenges of the upcoming semester. Utah Valley University is equipped with many resources geared towards maintaining student well-being, such as the UVU Wellness Programs located in the Student Life and Wellness Center.  

Kerri Scott, the Wellness Program director and a wellness coach, stated, “Our purpose in wellness programs is to promote habits of health and wellness in the lives of students, staff, and faculty.” Scott’s team offers coaching programs that range from creating physical fitness and dietary habits to things like relationship stress, sleep health, social wellness and even tobacco cessation.  

It can be challenging for students to prioritize health when it may seem that there are other— more important— things happening. However, as the Wellness programs seek to mitigate student stress it is worthwhile to account for states of mind which may lead students to misrepresent or ignore their own struggles. Scott commented that, “Mental health is a big concern amongst students, just because of the level of everything they’re trying to do.”  

The “level” Scott mentions is in reference to issues students may encounter while working towards their academic or wellness goals that can affect their mental well-being.  

Even if a student maintains their dietary and fitness ideals that doesn’t mean that problems outside of themselves can’t arise. Things like romantic troubles, money problems, and academic solidarity can all play into a high-tension environment. 

 As students deal with their stressors—both public and personal—it is important that they are able to strike a balance between achieving their goals while also achieving the physical and mental needs of their bodies.  

Scott insists that finding balance is important because health in one area intrinsically affects other areas of well-being. She stated, “if someone is under a lot of [mental] stress, they’re probably going to have some physical symptoms too that kind of show as a result of the stress levels their under,” which is why as students strive towards their objectives being informed concerning the ins-and-outs of where and how to receive help is beneficial. 

This balance can be difficult to find, especially as students work to juggle school, work, relationships, finances and more all at the same time. But, for the student who is willing to reach out, there are ways to maintain that balance.  

Students are encouraged to take full advantage of the resources available to them to make the most of their college experience. Beyond Wellness Programs, things like Student Health Services offer counseling and therapy free of charge, the Money Success Center which provides one-on-one financial coaching, as well as the many recreational activities available in the Student Life and Wellness center. These resources are made available so that students can maintain a healthy balance between body and mind.