Speeches & Media

Creating Space for Wellness

Learning contributes to a healthy life in profound ways.

Kathleen McCartney, Smith Alumnae Quarterly, Spring 2023

Every day we see another news story about the rise of mental health problems, both across our country and across the world. This is certainly true on college campuses. According to a 2021 American College Health Association survey, nearly three-quarters of college students report moderate or severe psychological distress; and according to a 2022 Gallup Global Workplace study, close to half of all workers report significant stress. As a result, the need for counseling services has skyrocketed, which is why we have increased these services for students and employees—faculty and staff alike. Still, we need to think beyond intervention to prevention, and wellness programs provide one way forward.

The Global Wellness Institute defines wellness as “the active pursuit of activities, choices, and lifestyles that lead to a state of holistic health.” Explorer and journalist Dan Buettner has studied communities where people consistently live to be older than 100, and he has found that holistic ecosystems in these communities help people find connection and shared purpose—important features of wellness. Not surprisingly, research shows that learning also helps to foster connection and a shared sense of purpose. How reassuring to know that learning, which is at the heart of the Smith experience, contributes to a healthy life.

Smith is inherently focused on the growth of the whole person—mind, body, and spirit—and there are multiple opportunities on campus that help every member of our community thrive.

To support student well-being, Smith offers a variety of programs designed to minimize stress and create connection. The Office of Student Engagement offers Find Your Fit consultations, which connect students with more than 140 clubs that offer activities that align with their interests and spark their passions. There are seven athletic clubs, like ice hockey and fencing, and a rowing team for those who like being on the Connecticut River at dawn. The Jandon Center helps students connect to local nonprofit organizations like public schools and soup kitchens; these experiences are among the most meaningful ones that students take with them when they graduate. There are numerous opportunities for students to express themselves through the creative arts, including the Ceramics Club, as well as the performing arts. And, importantly, there are 11 unity organizations— reflecting the different communities, ethnicities, and nationalities on campus—that foster deep bonds among students and help them experience a sense of belonging.

To support employees, Human Resources has introduced On Our Way to Wellness, a program that provides resources for improving physical and mental health. Employees can participate in exercise classes that include offerings like hula-hooping and juggling, which help reduce stress and build connections with colleagues. They also have access to membership in Care. com, a resource for finding caregivers and housesitters; this service can reduce some of the stressors of managing both work and family.

Wellness is an important part of my life. I begin each morning with a 20-minute yoga practice, and then I hop on my elliptical machine or go for a walk on campus. Exercise prepares me for what is typically a long day. I have learned a few mindfulness practices that make the day less stressful, such as taking three deep breaths before checking my email, doing a few stretches while sitting in my chair, and taking the time to talk to my colleagues about our lives and the latest television series we are all binge-watching. I try to end my day with a gratitude practice, because there is always something to be grateful for, even on the hard days.

Creating space for wellness can sometimes seem challenging, given our many obligations at home and at work. If you want to build wellness into your daily life, start with a small, achievable goal. Take meditation as an example. Set a goal to meditate for five minutes each day for at least five days a week. And if you do not meet your goal, don’t give up. Instead, focus on what you have accomplished and keep trying. Research shows that it takes 66 days to form a new habit. There is a book I love for children and adults alike, titled The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse. In it, the boy becomes discouraged on his quest for home. His friend the horse reassures him, “Yes, but look how far we’ve come.” Wise words to remember.